It’s cold, but the sun will always come out tomorrow, like little orphan Annie taught us. A chilly day, however, will not stop us from venturing out into Buenos Aires in search of activities and experiences.
Here’s an array of entertaining options to choose from in the city this weekend, from film festivals to special food pop-ups, plus live shows from rock, pop, and tango singers. There’s even a tribute to celebrated score composer Ryuichi Sakamoto!
French film festival
August 20 to 26
Cine Cosmos UBA (Corrientes 2046)
Admission: AR$4,500
A special treat for lovers of French cinema. A festival with auteur cinema and animation, with a selection featuring works by Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol, and more.
Details at the Cosmos Instagram account.
DocBuenosAires
August 18 to 23,
Sala Leopoldo Lugones at Teatro San Martín (Corrientes 1530)
Admission AR$9,000
The 26th DocBuenosAires film festival will showcase the best of international documentary filmmaking. Each day will feature three screenings, each bringing together two or three films of varying length so there’s always an option whether you’re short on time or want to stay all afternoon… or even into the evening. Feel free to take the risk of buying a ticket without looking at the lineup.
The program travels through Taiwan, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Germany, Denmark, the United States, Sweden, Canada, Iran, Turkey, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Switzerland, Romania, Norway, and, of course, Argentina.
The stories are just as diverse: intimate portraits of old age and death, memories of dictatorships and wars, communities resisting displacement, family journeys shaped by secrets, and even a meditation on cryogenics and the fear of dying.
Tickets can be purchased on the Complejo Teatral de Buenos Aires website or at the Teatro San Martín box office. Students and retirees get a discount and pay AR$5,000 for admission.
African Film Festival FICAA 2026
August 19 to 30
If you wish to broaden your perspective and discover stories that emerge from African experiences, the festival will showcase 30 films from 25 African countries. The space is a way to imagine other ways of inhabiting the present and envisioning the future through fiction, documentaries, animation, and experimental works.
This year’s theme is From the Roots, Imagining Other Futures, which expresses the festival’s spirit and reflects on memory, territory, migration, youth, identities, artistic creation, and struggles for social and environmental justice.
Exhibitions take place in Sala Lúcida (Av. Cabildo 4740), Auditorio Leonardo Favio (Adolfo Alsina 1835), ÁreaTec (Av. de Mayo 1190), Auditorio Borges at Biblioteca Nacional (Agüero 2502), and Cine York (Juan B. Alberdi 895, Olivos).
Some admissions are free. Check details here.
Lentil stew at Sifón
Sifón Chacarita, August 20, 8 p.m. onwards
Jorge Newbery 3881
One of our favorite spots in Chacarita is hosting one last gathering centered around one of the great comfort-food classics: lentil stew. On Thursday, August 20, starting at 8 p.m., their series Sifón a la Olla will put this winter staple front and center, with two versions to choose from: a traditional one with smoked bacon, red chorizo, and a poached egg, and a veggie version.
The evening will also feature a selection of special drinks designed to pair with the meal. These include the Julep Obrero, made with Amargo Obrero, lime cordial, grapefruit, and soda; as well as the Bianco y Negro, combining Carpano Bianco, black tea and cardamom cordial, lemon, and soda.
Live music will be provided by Nico Martínez, adding a soundtrack to an evening designed for eating, having a drink, and sticking around a little longer.
Tacos at Narda Comedor
August 20, 8 p.m. onwards
Mariscal Antonio José de Sucre 664
Narda Lepes’ restaurant continues its series Comer con las manos (Eat with your hands), a reflection about not using tactile senses when eating and Western civilization’s indirect way of touching food through cutlery.
On Thursday, August 20, the main dish will be a fish tempura taco with guasacaca, cabbage, and acevichada mayonnaise, perfect for sharing with friends and pairing with an ice-cold beer.
Cucha del Parí pop-up at A Coruña
August 22
Irigoyen 1801 (Versalles)
No reservations (first come, first serve)
This Spanish cantina specializing in tapas, bocatas (sandwiches), and seafood rice dishes is continuing its pop-up series. On Saturday, August 22, starting at noon, it will welcome José Ignacio Juarroz, chef of Cucha del Pari.
The menu will feature callos a la madrileña (Madrid-style tripe), potaje with Asturian blood sausage and red chorizo, a tortilla bocata with chistorra and aioli, smoked eggplant croquettes, and torrija with Catalan cream.
Everything will be available à la carte to enjoy with Stella Artois or La Fuerza vermouth. The spirit of Cucha del Pari’s listening bar will also be present, with a vinyl DJ set playing throughout the day. Football fans will find a perfect selfie point with a small altar dedicated to Maradona and coach Scaloni.
Richard Coleman
August 22, 9 p.m.
Niceto Club (Niceto Vega 5510)
Admission AR$45,000
Former frontman of cult bands Fricción and Los 7 Delfines, Richard Coleman is also known for composing with Gustavo Cerati for Soda Stereo and his solo albums.
This show will include his band Trans-Siberian Orchestra and a setlist with hits and songs full of darkness, inner demons, and ghosts.
Sandra Mihanovich sings tangos
August 21, 8 p.m.
Martín Coronado Hall at Teatro San Martín (Corrientes 1530)
Free admission
Torch singer Sandra Mihanovich will perform a repertoire of tango classics in her own distinctive style, one of the highlights of the Festival and World Tango BA 2026.
Sakamoto Vision
August 20, 9 p.m.
Bebop Club (Uriarte 1658)
Admission AR$20,000
An intimate, cinematic interpretation of the work of celebrated composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, famous for scoring films such as The Last Emperor, Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, and The Revenant.
Directed by Karina Brosio, in this concert she will be joined by Fernando Samalea on drums, Christine Brebes on violin, Mariana Melero on vocals, Elisa Sandá on guitar, and Tamino Andrenacci on bass.
