10 Festive Ways to Spend Christmas in Argentina
Christmas in Argentina means warm weather, summer fun, and adventure! If you’re used to snow, Christmas in Argentina might be a bit of a shock, but it has a charm of its own.
The holiday season in Argentina is a wonderful time of year with Argentinian Christmas food and special decorations. Many Argentinians love to decorate Christmas trees, prepare asado (barbecue), and enjoy Argentinian Christmas recipes like pavo (turkey) and empanadas.
Argentines celebrate December 24th more than the 25th. It’s common to stay up until midnight, light up fireworks, toast with champagne at midnight, and play holiday music.
If you’re seeking a quiet holiday season, Argentina is the perfect place for you! Many people enjoy a seaside Christmas at the beach. Keep reading to access all the fun things to do around Christmas in Argentina!
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10 Ways to Spend Christmas in Argentina
These activities will make you want to try something new and spend Christmas in Argentina either on your own, with a partner or friend, or with the whole family.
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1. Have an Amazing Christmas Meal
Argentinians love to celebrate by cooking and eating a delicious homemade meal. Christmas in Argentina usually includes a meat-based meal such as pork or turkey.
The most beloved Christmas meal in Argentina is “vitel thoné.” It’s an Italian meal made of slices of veal and topped with a tuna and anchovy sauce. People only eat it around Christmas, so they look forward to it all year long.
It’s also common to enjoy cold foods during the warm Christmas in Argentina. Regardless of what part of Argentina you’re in, you can find a refreshing Russian salad, cold cuts, and salads.
2. Observe Christmas Traditions in Argentina
A huge part of spending the holiday season outside your country is getting to know a new one. Argentina is a mesmerizing country with unique traditions.
In Argentina, they celebrate two Catholic holidays to kick off the holiday season. It starts on December 8th, the Day of the Immaculate Conception, and officially finishes on January 6th with el día de los Reyes Magos (3 Kings’ Day).
Other Christmas in Argentina traditions include leaving your shoes outside overnight on January 5th, under the Christmas tree, or under the bed for the Three Kings to fill with presents. In return, children leave hay and water for the kings outside the door.
3. Watch Fireworks from the Rooftop
Fireworks are a huge deal in many Latin American countries for Christmas. They’re not only for New Year’s Eve but also Christmas. In Argentina, you find homemade and professional fireworks displays in the whole country.
The best place to go to see these stunning fireworks is Puerto Madero. When you’re in Puerto Madero, make sure to check out Puente de la Mujer (Women’s Bridge) and the many unique benches all over town.
4. Go to a Tango Show
There is no better place to go to an amazing tango show than in Argentina! Celebrating through dance is a huge part of Christmas in Argentina. Tango entertains and captivates people from all over the world all year round. Going to a good tango show is the ideal way to spend the 24th and 25th in Argentina. Buenos Aires is the best city to find an amazing tango show.
Many restaurants and bars close for Christmas, but tango shows keep going. Some of the best tango shows are at Madero Tango.
5. See the Christmas Tree At Galerías Pacífico
Galerías Pacífico mall is a stunning mall in downtown Buenos Aires. The tree and decorations at the Galerías Pacífico are stunning, but what makes it so unique is the artwork on the roof.
This mall goes all out for Christmastime. Even if you don’t want to go shopping, stop by to enjoy the food court and Christmas music. It’s a great spot to enjoy with the whole family, and you may even run into Santa Claus!
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6. Eat Pan Dulce in the Plaza Mayor
Pan dulce (sweet bread) in Argentina is a sort of panettone from Italy that Argentinians love! They eat it for breakfast or a snack with coffee and milk. The best panettone comes from the local bakery. Even though panettone originated outside Argentina, they have created their own pan dulce recipe to enjoy during Christmas in Argentina!
The best pan dulce in Buenos Aires is in Plaza Mayor downtown. The days leading up to Christmas are the best time to find fresh pan dulce in Plaza Mayor and fruitcake for the holiday season. Sometimes the lines to get this bread get so long that they make the news!
See also: Top 12 Must-Try Panaderías and Confiterías of Argentina
7. Avoid Excess Buying
If you’re looking to avoid the excess shopping that happens during the holiday season, Argentina is the place to go! It’s a blessing in disguise since Argentina has long been anti-consumerist.
Even now that retail has become more popular in Argentina, many locals prefer to celebrate Christmas in Argentina by going to a local market and cooking a homemade meal together.
The holiday season is free from the stress of Christmas shopping, and instead you focus on what matters most: family.
Many people in Argentina enjoy traveling for the holiday season. I’d recommend visiting a beach if you’re in South America because the nice warm weather is the perfect excuse to escape.
8. Soak Up The Sun
Many travelers are looking to escape the cold, and Christmas in Argentina is the perfect time to enjoy the warm sun. December marks the beginning of summer in Argentina. What better way to celebrate the festivities than by getting a nice tan and enjoying the heat?
Go to the beach, enjoy outdoor activities, or relax poolside on Christmas in Argentina. You might even spot Santa wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops! The Mar del Plata International Film Festival is a famous festival in November. Mar de Plata is a great place to visit at Christmastime to enjoy the beach and dance all day long.
9. Partake in the Lighting of Globos
Another activity to enjoy during Christmas in Argentina is the release of globos (lanterns) on Christmas Eve. If you’re traveling as a family, this is a great activity for kids to enjoy being outdoors and enjoying the Argentinian night sky.
People gently let go of the lanterns, symbolizing letting go of the past year with grace. Make a wish as you let go of your lantern and set intentions for the year ahead with this beautiful ritual.
10. Make Homemade Argentine Gifts
Another activity to enjoy during Christmas in Argentina is making homemade gifts such as paintings, ceramics, marmalade, and baked goods. People get together to make their gifts and give a unique and special gift to their loved ones during the holiday season. It’s a meaningful way to give something special to the people you love.
Learn Spanish Before You Travel to Argentina
What’s amazing about traveling to Argentina for Christmas is immersing yourself in the culture. The people, food, and traditions are one of a kind, and the holiday season is all about family values and spending quality time with loved ones.
Traveling to learn and practice Spanish is the best investment! In the United States alone, there are approximately 53 million people who speak Spanish. The US is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. According to CNN, there are 41 million native Spanish speakers in the US who speak Spanish in their homes
Sign up for a free trial class at Homeschool Spanish Academy before your trip to Argentina and get ready to make the most out of your trip down south. Have a 1-to-1 conversation with one of our friendly, certified, native-speaking teachers from Guatemala. Check out our flexible programs and affordable prices.
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