Buenos Aires loves its festivals, and this weekend is no exception. With the International Jazz Festival taking over half the city, and a Comic Book Festival invading the other half, you’ve got options.
Not to mention rounding things off with back to back wine and beer night. Over here at The Herald, we pride ourselves as being goal-oriented individuals, but this weekend is particularly ambitious. Calling all you overachievers, we know you’re out there.
Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival
Thursday 21 through Sunday 24
Various venues across the city
Tickets available online
Buenos Aires Jazz Festival
This festival turns the entire city into a stage for jazz music. From jazz clubs to cultural centers to parks, Buenos Aires surrenders to well-known artists like Abe Rábade and Roberto Gatto, as well as young talent from around the globe.
This is the event’s 17th edition — the jazz takeover includes concerts, screenings, workshops, jam sessions, master classes, and many free activities. A complete program is available online. The itinerary closes with a grand finale featuring American pianist Benny Green in the Usina del Arte.
If you’re looking for a great free concert, head to the amphitheater in Parque Centenario (Av. Díaz Vélez 4859) at 7 p.m. on Saturday to catch the fresh sounds of Uruguayan jazz group Creativa Ensamble. Availability is first come first served.
Night of the Wineries
Friday 22 — 8 p.m. to midnight
Wine shops across Argentina
Photo: Gastronomique
Fun fact: There’s a law that declares Argentine wine the drink of the country. Which, we can’t personally think of a better reason for legislature. Argentine wine even has its own day — it’s this coming Sunday, November 24.
And such, in celebration of National Argentine Wine Day, the country’s wineries and wine shops are turning out in full force with discounts, tastings, shows, gastronomy, and music.
The festivities run across the entire country with lots of venues in Buenos Aires, but also participating spots in Mendoza, Tucumán, Córdoba and Tierra del Fuego, just to name a few. This map lists all of the wine shops hosting events Friday night.
Night of the Breweries
Saturday 23 November — 6 p.m. to midnight
Breweries across Buenos Aires
If wine night left you thirsty, head on down to La Noche de las Birrerías for a little hydration.
This is the 11th edition of Night of the Breweries, the most important brewing event in Buenos Aires. More than 140 breweries in more than 15 neighborhoods will participate.
Bars will be offering a variety of craft beers and food discounts, along with activities that are all across the board — ranging from DJs, live shows, karaoke, tarot readers, board games, freestyle competitions, arcades, magic shows, makeup and glitter. In case you feel like making any questionable drunk decisions, Che Bonche in Villa Crespo will be offering real tattoos.
The plan of action is to gather your friends and plan your route out in advance, there’s a map of participating breweries online. The idea is to choose spots that are relatively close to one another, and to buy your pints online via Passline before the event. You can still attend and buy drinks as normal without online purchase, but you’ll get a 50% discount if you pay online ahead of time. There’s a limited amount of online promotion drinks available, so our advice is to plan ahead.
Esto Es Historieta! Comic Book Festival
Thursday 21 to December 4
Various venues across the city
This comic book festival’s lineup is a little chaotic, and rightfully so. It’s the inaugural edition, and its organizers are aiming to reach a wide audience with a two-week program of events spanning everything from movie showings to live bands, workshops, talks, and comic fairs.
Activities are taking place at venues including the Sala Lugones, the Centro de Historieta y Humor Gráfico de la Biblioteca Nacional, and the Bar Cultural La Paz Arriba. Check out a full listing of happenings online.
Our personal film recommendations are “Blue Is the Warmest Colour” (in Spanish: “La vida de Adèle”) which plays in Sala Lugones at 8 p.m. on Friday, November 22 and at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3. Also check out “El Humor (Pequeña Enciclopedia Ilustrada)” which plays in Sala Lugones at 9 p.m. on Sunday, November 24 and at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4.