While there are some events and fairs that go on hiatus for the chillier months in Buenos Aires, there is one that runs exclusively through the fall and winter- the Feria de Mataderos! Located about 45 minutes away from the more well known areas of Buenos Aires city, the Mataderos neighborhood hosts this fair every Sunday from April to December. If you’re a student studying Spanish in Buenos Aires, hop on a colectivo (55, 63, 80, 92, 117, 126, 141, 155, or 180) in your neighborhood to check out an attraction that you may not come across in your Argentina guidebook, but is sure to be a worthwhile day trip!
The fair consists of traditional Argentine folk music and dances (zambas), gauchos from interior displaying their talents on horseback, traditional food and drink, and various artisans- an impressive mix of tradition and culture, and an experience unique to the Feria de Mataderos!
If you decide to spend a Sunday at the fair, be sure to be there around 3:30 PM, for the Carerra de Sortija, or the Race of the Ring. This spectacle involves gauchos racing down Avenida Lisandro de la Torre at lightning fast speeds, each trying to obtain a small ring hanging overheard on a metal frame. Arguably the most exciting moment of the fair, the crowd erupts in cheers and applause each time a gaucho succeeds in grabbing a ring.
Students studying Spanish in Argentina are often looking for a weekend activity that’s a bit off the beaten path, and filled with Argentine culture and tradition—if you are, take a Sunday during this fall and upcoming winter to take in the Feria de Mataderos, and share this experience with your Expanish Spanish School classmates!
Learn more about the fair on it’s official website (in Spanish only): http://www.feriademataderos.com.ar/
Learn about Expanish’s Spanish immersion courses in South America!
[...] Sunday: There are two worthwhile street markets on Sundays in the city of Buenos Aires- the San Telmo market and the Feria de Mataderos in the Mataderos neighborhood on the outskirts of the city. Both offer an exciting scene, so we’ll leave this decision up to you and your guests! The San Telmo markets runs the length of at least 10 cobblestone blocks each Sunday, each lined with incredible antique stores and hippie artisans. Start this fair in Plaza Dorrego, where you can catch live tango shows and talented fileteado painters practicing their craft. This market runs all the way down to Plaza de Mayo, which is impressive site at night, with most buildings lit up, including the Casa Rosada and the Cabildo. If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, check out the Feria de Mataderos, located in an outlying neighborhood an hour from the city center by colectivo. This market offers homemade foods and crafts, folkloric music and dance, and a unique presentation by actual gauchos! Learn more about this market in the Expanish Blog post, Feria de Mataderos! [...]