As every year, the shopping malls of Buenos Aires will celebrate the arrival of the Holiday Season with a show of fireworks and music, this time on Sunday, December 15th, at 9:30 PM.
This free of charge event will take place simultaneously at different points in the city:
- Parque Thays (Buenos Aires Design Center) - Av. del Libertador & Pueyrredon, Recoleta
- Dot Baires Shopping - Panamericana & Gral.Paz
- Caballito - Av. Avellaneda & Fragata Sarmiento
The spectacular show of fireworks will be accompanied by a special soundtrack and a surprise closing.
The Final of the 72nd Argentine Horseball Championship (Abierto Argentino de Pato), the most important tournament of this sport in Argentina, will take place on Sunday, December 15th, 2013 in Palermo.
The preliminary stages took place at the Campo Argentino de Pato, in Campo de Mayo (Buenos Aires), with the participation of the best players of our national sport. The final, on Sunday, December 15th, will be held at the Campo Argentino de Polo in Palermo at 3:30 pm.
Horseball ("Pato") is a traditional Argentine equestrian sport, practiced since the beginning of the XVII century, and declared as Argentina's National Sport in 1953. "Pato" is an exciting game that combines polo and basketball, and in which two teams made up of 4 players each, by a series of passes and combinations to elude their adversaries, try to introduce the "Pato" (Duck) through a vertical ring. The rings, located at the center of each end of the field, have 1 meter (3.3 ft) diameter, and are located on 2.4 m (7.9 ft) high poles. The "Pato" is a ball with six handles. The player that is in possession of the "Pato" must hold it and ride with his right arm extended, offering the rivals the opportunity to steal it.
Pato is a similar, but earlier version, of the game of horseball played in France, Portugal, and other countries.
Campo Argentino de Polo: Av. del Libertador & Dorrego, Palermo.
Tickets on sale at the stadium.
Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man will visit Argentina for the first time to run a 100-meter exhibition race on Av. 9 de Julio on Saturday, December 14, 2013.
Usain Bolt, born in Jamaica in 1986, is the first man to hold both the 100 metres and 200 metres world records, the first man to win six Olympic gold medals in sprinting, and an eight-time World champion.
The event will start at 2 pm when the Metropolitan Athletic Federation will organize activities with federated and non federated kids with mini-athletic relays, among other activities.
The main attraction, starting at 5.30 pm, will have Usain Bolt running a 100 meter race against the Metrobus, and then against three other Jamaican runners, on Av. 9 de Julio between Tucumán and Viamonte.
Free entrance.
The Gran Premio Internacional Carlos Pellegrini, the most important classic race in the Argentine horse racing calendar, and one of the oldest in the history of Latin American turf, will take place next Saturday, December 14th, 2013 at Hipodromo de San Isidro, from 1:00 PM.
This prize was created in 1887, in honor of one of the founders and first president of Buenos Aires Jockey Club, Carlos Pellegrini, who was also President of Argentina. The race, run on a distance of 2400 meters by horses from different countries, marks the end of the horse racing season in Argentina.
The Pellegrini (G1) will be the 15th race and will start at 7.55 pm. The journey will consist of 19 races, with other three Great Prizes: Copa de Plata (G1); Anchorena (G1); and Alzaga Unzué (G1).
This year the Hipódromo de San Isidro has decided to transport visitors to the Great Prize of 1951, year in which Yatasto won the Quadruple Crown of Argentine Turf. Different characters dressed with costumes of the time will mingle among the spectators, newsboys will distribute old newspapers and visitors will have the chance to participate in a kermesse. At the main stage there will be tango classes and exhibitions, recreation of famous scenes of Argentine radio-theater. and musical shows.
One of the emotions of the day will be when the great Calidoscopio, the Argentine horse who has succeeded in USA takes a ride along the track.
Entrance is free of charge.
This is also a charity event, in aid of the Fundación Hospital Juan A. Fernández.
Access Hipodromo de San Isidro:
Av. Marquez & Av. Santa Fe, San Isidro
Rotonda Av. Marquez & Av. Fleming
Next Saturday, December 14th, 2013, at 7:00 pm, children and families are invited to participate in the official inauguration of the Giant Nativity Scene that will be placed at Plaza Mariano Moreno (Avenida de Mayo and Luis Saenz Peña). It will be a nice opportunity to have their Christmas pictures taken.
Designed and built by the renowned sculptor Fernando Pugliese, the Manger is made up of fifty impressive life-size figures, which recreate the spirit of Christmas in a striking work.
After the Nativity Scene is inaugurated and blessed, a traditional Christmas concert will be presented by the Children´s Choir of Teatro Colón, 50 dancers from Insituto de Arte Folclorico (IDAF) who will represent the traditional Christmas dances from the North and South of the country, and artist Tomás Lipán.
The Nativity Scene will be exhibited from December 14th 2013 to January 6th 2014.
On Saturday, December 7th, 2013, in the streets of San Telmo 15 carnival groups ("comparsas") with over 1,000 Argentinian and Uruguayan artists in their colorful costumes, will present the "Llamada de Candombe de San Telmo", a parade of drums, music and dance, between 4 PM and 10 PM,.
The "llamada" is a traditional Uruguayan event in which the "comparsas" are called in to play the "candombe", a musical genre originated in Africa and brought to South America in the XVII and XVIII centuries by the African slaves. Each "comparsa" is identified by its own rhythm.
The same as with Tango, the Candombe has been declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by Unesco in 2009, with its National Day celebrated on December 3rd in Uruguay.
At Pasaje San Lorenzo & Defensa 4 bonfires will be set for the tuning of the drums, that will start at 3.30 PM before the parades.
The parade starts at Defensa & av. Independencia, and each of the 15 "comparsas" will take 1 hour to cover the 8 blocks until Defensa & Caseros, at the Amphitheater of Paque Lezama.
This event is totally free of charge.
May be suspended in case of rain.
At the Christmas Park that will be set up at Parque Thays in Recoleta (Av. del Libertador & Callao), children and families will have the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas spirit and participate in a number of fun activities:
Elf Village: the place where the elves helping Santa Claus have a rest. Donations of toys for children in need will be received in this sector.
Toy Factory: where children can participate in different activities, making their own toys, crafts and drawings.
Santa Claus Cabin: divided into 4 corners: the Library, where he studies and plans the distribution of toys; the Laboratory, with the potions that help him reach every corner of the globe; the Letters section, where letters will be received and deposited; and the Living Room, where children will meet Santa Claus and take pictures with him.
The Park wiil be open from December 7 to December 24, 2013.
Monday to Friday, 3 pm to 8 pm,
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 8 pm.
Free entrance.
The British Community Council in Argentina (ABCC) presents the 2013 "Christmas Fair", that will be held on Saturday, December 7th, 2013, in the Gardens of the British Ambassador's Residence in Buenos Aires, with entrance on Newton 2575, Recoleta, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
This charity event is a great opportunity to purchase all your Christmas presents at the Artisans' Fair, while spending a nice day with the whole family, enjoying the visit of Santa Claus at 3:00 pm, Santa´s Elves, Carol Singing, the Salvation Army band, inflatable castle, raffles, surprises, and much more. Food and beverages will be available.
ID must be presented at the door for entrance.
Donation: $ 20 Pesos. Children under 6: Free.
In case of rain it will be postponed to Saturday, December 14th.
For more information, visit
ABCC website.
"La Gran Milonga Nacional", an open air event with live orchestras and street tango dancing on Avenida de Mayo, which is transformed for one night in a giant dance floor, will take place on Saturday, December 7th, 2013.
This fantastic event, which every year occupies the traditional Avenida de Mayo, from Plaza de Mayo to 9 de Julio Av. is organized by the National Tango Academy and the Association of Promoters of Tourism, Hotel Business and Gastronomy (APTHGRA), in honor of the National Tango Day which is celebrated on December 11th.
La Gran Milonga Nacional will start at 8:00 pm, and will last until 3 am, with three central stages in the corners of Avenida de Mayo with Bernardo de Irigoyen, Piedras and Perú, and other smaller ones along the avenue, where the audience will be able to dance on the street to the music of live Tango orchestras, with their dancers and singers.
At the International Artisans' Fair ("Feria Internacional de Artesanias de Buenos Aires") over 600 craftsmen from Argentina and Latin America will show their talent, creativity and skills, with live demonstrations of their work.
Individual artisans, official entities and delegations from the different Argentine provinces and neighboring countries will exhibit and offer their hand crafted unique pieces, while sharing their techniques and knowledge with the public. The stands are grouped according to the different kinds of crafts:
ceramics
basket making
cutlery
leather
clothing
musical instruments
jewelry
wood
noble metals
paper
stone
textiles
glass
A great opportunity for visitors to purchase exclusive handicraft pieces at the best prices, while learning about cultural and artistic expressions from Argentina and Latin America.
Dates: December 3 through December 8, 2013.
Location: La Rural Exhibition Center. Av. Sarmiento 2704
Opening hours: 3 PM to 10 PM
Entry fees:
General: AR$ 35
Pensioners: AR$ 25
Children under 8, free
Two day pass: AR$ 50
More than 70 classic cars and motorcycles manufactured before the 1920´s will be exhibited on Saturday, November 30, 2013 in Recoleta, before the start of the XVII Great Prize Recoleta-Tigre. The vehicles will be on exhibition on Saturday, on Quintana Ave. between Ayacucho & Ortiz, between 1 pm and 5 pm. After the exhibition the cars will take a short tour around the area and will be garaged until the next day.
The race will start on Sunday, December 1, 2013, at 9:30 am at La Biela (Quintana & Ortiz); from there the vehicles will take on Av. Figueroa Alcorta, Tagle, Av. Del Libertador all the way through Vicente López, San Isidro (where the drivers will be able to make a pit stop) and San Fernando, taking Cazón and Paseo Victorica until arriving at around 11:30 am to Museo de Arte de Tigre. The pilots and their companions will be wearing the typical costumes of the time (early XXth century), making this a fun and picturesque event for adults and children along the route.
The oldest car in the race, with 112 years, is a steam-propelled Rochester Splindleseat 1901 from USA. Among the most antique ones – manufactured before 1910-, an Internacional Harvester 1903, an Orient Runabout 1904, a Cadillac Doble Phaeton 1904, a Bouget 1906, a Renault AK 90 1906, a Renault 1906, a Ford T 1908, a Mercedes 35 PS Cardanwagen 1908, a Metz Plancar 1908, a Panhard Levassor 1909, a Benz 1909, an Imperia Spider 1909, a Case Racer 1910, and a Scat Corsa 1910. Besides, one of the only still existing units of the Anasagasti, the first cars mass-produced in Argentina. Among the motorcycles, the most antiques are a Goricke 1904 and a Shaw from 1910.
The Great Prize Recoleta - Tigre is unique in South America for it´s singularity and the good state of preservation of the participating vehicles.
The first subway in Buenos Aires and Latin America, the A Line, was inaugurated in 1913. Some of the original trains, which preserved their original features like boiserie interiors, brass lamps, wooden seats, were still running until recently.
For safety reasons these historic wooden trains manufactured by the Belgian company “La Brugeoise” stopped running in January of 2013, and have been subject to a restoration work to preserve their historic value.
On Sunday, December 1st, 2013, celebrating the 100th anniversary, some of these old and totally restored trains will be exhibited for the first time to the public at the Plaza de Mayo station of Line A, from 10 am to 8 pm. The Association of Friends of the Tramway will guide the public and explain the history and details of the works performed for their recovery.
At 6 pm a Symphony band made up of 46 musicians will offer a free concert for the public. The event will also feature a photographic and audiovisual exhibition.
