Carnaval in Buenos Aires
February is the time of year when most of South America comes alive with the contagious rhythm and dancing of Carnaval. While Argentina’s neighbor, Brazil, is home to probably the world’s most famous carnival, Argentina has its very own version – on a smaller, but no less enthusiastic scale. The streets of Buenos Aires come alive every weekend in February, and although it isn’t quite as extravagant as Rio de Janeiro’s feather and sequin-bikini wearing samba antics, it’s still a great event to take part in if you’re travelling to Buenos Aires!
Carnaval in Buenos Aires - or Corsos as locals call the street parades – is a more low-key affair with neighbourhood communities coming together to form Murgas; groups of dancers and drummers that parade through the streets of their neighbourhood, mostly wearing top hats, long tail coats and canes. With bright colours, and of course the odd sequin here or there, Carnaval in Buenos Aires has more of a circus influence, perhaps more similar to European carnival equivalents. But of course this is South America, so everything comes with a touch more excitement and passion! The Murgas from each neighbourhood all dance in unison to choreographed routines, with people doing handstands, jumping and dancing to the rhythm of the big banging drums.
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| One of Buenos Aires’ Murgas on Avenida de Mayo / Source |
Starting this Monday (4thFeb) you’ll find many streets throughout the capital cordoned off at weekends to give way to Buenos Aires’ Carnaval parties. The big celebration however kicks off the weekend of the 8th, as it’s official Carnaval weekend, a public holiday in Argentina.
Here’s a list of the most popular Corsos or Carnaval parades in Buenos Aires, that take place in the most accessible and well-known areas of the city, throughout the month of February So, find the one nearest to you and don’t miss it! The parades all start at 7pm and go on until the small hours of the morning.
San Telmo
Along Avenida San Juan between the streets Tacuarí y Perú
Saturdays 2, 9, 16 & 23 / Sundays 3, 10, 17 & 24 / Monday 11 & Tuesday 12
Palermo
Along Darwin Street between Honduras y Gorriti
Saturday 9 / Sunday 10 / Monday 11 & Tuesday 12
Abasto
Along Avenida Córdoba between Agüero and Sánchez de Bustamante
Saturdays 2, 9, 16 & 23 / Sundays 3, 10, 17 & 24 / Monday 11 & Tuesday 12
Almagro
Along Avenida Corrientes between Medrano and Gascón
Saturdays 2, 9, 16 & 23 / Sundays 3, 10, 17 & 24 / Monday 11 & Tuesday 12
On the official carnaval weekend there’s also a main parade along Avenida de Mayo in the city’s center.
And if you fancy attending a Corso slightly off the beaten tourist track: have a look at the city’s complete program here. -> link in Spanish )
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| The parades go on until the small hours of the morning! / source |
And keep in mind, If you’re planning on attending, make sure you wear clothing you don’t mind getting wet, as water bombs are everywhere during carnaval. And watch out for kids with spray cans of foam, as squirting any passer-by with sticky cream is all part of the fun.
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| It can get messy! /source |
If you’re looking for more information on Carnaval in Argentina, have a look at our recent blog post about Argentina’s biggest Carnaval celebration in Gualeguaychu.
For more info on things to do in Buenos Aires, visit our website BsAs4u.
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