10 Things to Do in Buenos Aires in Summer

Unlike countries in the northern hemisphere, Argentina experiences summer between December and March. This makes it a favorite destination to escape from the cold of those times, but still enjoy the traditional celebrations of the season that, yes, are lived very differently in the capital of Buenos Aires.

In Argentina, Christmas is celebrated in summer, so get ready to enjoy a Christmas full of sunshine and outdoor activities. Despite the heat, you will see the typical Christmas decorations and even some Santas in the streets.

One of the ways you can participate in the Christmas tradition in Buenos Aires is by visiting open-air markets in San Telmo and Recoleta, where you will find antiques and other curious objects. In addition, you can be part of the traditional Christmas vibe of the season. A great way to tour these neighborhoods enjoying their Christmas decorations is by taking a guided tour of Buenos Aires.

When Christmas Eve arrives you can enjoy traditional holiday food such as vitel toné, tongue in vinaigrette and a variety of salads. After dinner, gifts are opened at midnight and the party continues. Restaurants and bars are still open, so you can stay and celebrate with the locals.

The Chinese New Year is usually celebrated in January or February, and in Buenos Aires the celebrations take place in Plaza Parques Nacionales. There you will find dozens of food stalls, handicrafts and other elements of Chinese culture. Among the typical dishes you can find are kung pao, a spicy marinated chicken and jiaozi, dumplings stuffed with meat or vegetables.

In the other stalls you can buy handicrafts such as decorative items, feng shui and even traditional clothing. You can also participate in tea ceremonies, calligraphy demonstrations and the presentation of the Dragon, very typical of this oriental culture. The event schedule changes yearly, so you will have to check before attending.

And if you feel like getting to know Belgrano's Chinatown in depth, you can book a private tour where you can choose and customize the itinerary, the duration and the places to see. Sounds good, doesn't it?

If you are a meat and grill lover, the Chorifest is an Argentine classic not to be missed. This event is usually held in mid-February at the Palermo Hippodrome during the afternoon and evening of a weekend, in the middle of Carnival.

During the Chorifest there are around 30 stands and food carts. You can find a wide variety of dishes such as:

• Traditional Choripanes and original recipes.
• Different meats, such as sweetbreads, roast strips, tenderloins and ribs.
• Great variety of breads.
• Different accompaniments and toppings such as red onion, cucumber, yogurt and sweet potato, among others.
• If you are vegan, you can still enjoy a dish at this festival, as they offer options for everyone.
• Argentine beer and wine.

Do you love Argentine cuisine? If so, my advice is to book an Argentinean empanada cooking class. Your mouth will be watering!

Are you vegan, would you like to try vegan food? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I recommend you attend Vegan Fest. This event takes place in early summer, although the specific date may vary. You will be able to visit food stands and attend lectures to learn about animals and nature.

Vegan Fest is the most important vegan event in Argentina and Latin America. It is an enriching experience, as it is attended by prestigious professionals who offer their knowledge to all visitors. Admission is free with prior registration and it is usually held at the Palacio San Miguel.

You will not only find food, but also beauty and personal care products and all kinds of vegan items. Do you want to complete the plan? Book a bike tour in Buenos Aires and enjoy a natural and sustainable way.

Carnaval Porteño, as this celebration is called in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is a tradition at the end of February and sometimes at the beginning of March.

What you will see most during these days of celebration are the traditional comparsas and parades. Many of these are performed by children and their schools. However, there are other larger events that are organized by neighborhoods such as San Telmo, Boedo and La Boca. On the weekend the main roads are cut off to make room for the comparsas.

During this celebration, you can also see and enjoy the murgas. These are musical groups made up of percussionists and dancers. You can see them during the corsos and carnival parades. Murga also refers to a musical and theatrical genre, so it will be quite an experience to see a live demonstration.

Year after year in Argentina activities are held during the National Day of Memory for Truth and Justice on March 24 to commemorate the victims of the last military dictatorship. The purpose of this event is to invite to a day of reflection and analysis of Argentine history. If you are not very familiar with it, you can learn about it during this day.

On this day you can take the Recorrido de la Memoria (Memory Tour). This is a tour designed by the government of the capital in which you visit specific sites related to the commemorated events. Among them are the Parque de la Memoria, the Espacio Memoria - Ex ESMA and the Centro Olimpo.

On the other hand, you can visit places like the Usina del Arte or the Teatro San Martín. There you can enjoy cultural activities such as documentary screenings or literary presentations and gatherings. In each of them you will be able to understand much more about the history of this country.

The MOMUSI Festival is a musical event aimed at children. The festival is organized by the non-profit Civil Association of the same name. Its objective is to promote the rights of children through music, as well as to nurture their musical knowledge.

During the event, multiple national musical artists perform songs of various genres. You will be able to listen to music originating from Argentinean villages and folklore, as well as rock and pop, other favorites of the Argentinean population.

But if you are traveling with children and what you want is to be in contact with nature, my advice is to buy tickets for the Bioparque Temaiken, which also include transfers from Buenos Aires. Perfect plan to see animals in their natural habitat and enjoy some family time.

During the summer, spending a day at the beach is almost a must. If you are in Buenos Aires, you can't miss the opportunity to visit its closest beaches:

• Buenos Aires Playa. Only half an hour from downtown, you will find a variety of outdoor activities and a water playground for the little ones.
• Pinamar. An hour away by train, you will find multiple restaurants and a landscape full of trees that provide shade to rest from the sun.
• Bagliardi. Located to the south of the capital, it allows you to enjoy the beach, the nearby rivers and the sugar cane and plum crops. Undoubtedly, it is an ideal destination for those who seek to enjoy nature and want a quiet moment.
• Villa Gesell. Nudist option for the most naturalists.
• Other beaches you can visit are Punta Lara, Palo Blanco beach and Mar del Sud.

Keep in mind that in Argentina beaches are public, so you don't have to pay to enter. Many of them also accept pets, so you can go with them. I recommend you to plan your transfer, as sometimes it is faster to travel by train than by bus.

Traveller Tip
Do not forget to bring your swimsuit, towels and sunscreen to be more comfortable during your visit to the beach.

Parque de la Costa is another favorite destination for locals and tourists in Buenos Aires. It is the number one amusement park in the country. Note that it is located in Tigre, just half an hour from downtown Buenos Aires.

You can take a day out of your vacation to visit this area and enjoy everything it has to offer. From games full of adrenaline, to live shows and typical gastronomy of the region. During the summer you can enjoy the Aquafan park where you will find water games, ideal to cool off under the high temperatures of the season.

Taking a trip from Buenos Aires to Tigre Delta is one of the favorite activities of the locals during the summer.

I recommend booking a tour like this in advance, as summer is the peak season. Tourists and locals alike have the same destination year after year. Despite the crowdedness of the site, it is well worth it. In total you will navigate five rivers while seeing the beautiful natural surroundings of the area.

After the boat ride it is common to take a bus tour to explore Tigre. You can stop by the Victoria Promenade, the Trilenium Casino or the Mate Museum. The city center is ideal for lunch and a stroll before returning to the city of Buenos Aires.

For some people the best time to go to Buenos Aires is summer. At this time of the year the weather is perfect to enjoy its beaches and outdoor activities even at night. Keep in mind that summer lasts from mid-December to mid-March and can be very hot.

Although there are a variety of activities and celebrations you can participate in, the heat presents some challenges, especially if you are not used to it. The average temperature during these months is 28 °C to 30 °C. However, humidity is high, mornings are hot and midday is the hottest time of day. It is best to wear light clothing.

As in many countries between December and March the weather is very cold, Buenos Aires becomes a very popular destination. Spending a warm Christmas is the best for many people, so if you plan the same, I advise you to book in advance your accommodation and even transfers from Ezeiza airport to Buenos Aires.

As the tourist influx is high, so are the prices. You will find high costs especially when it comes to airplane flights, organized tours, hotel rooms and even restaurant reservations. I recommend traveling with enough money in case something goes wrong and you need to go outside your budget.