11 Things to Do to Celebrate the First Day of Spring in Buenos Aires

Spring brings longer afternoons and the urge to stay outside a little longer. To add something different to a walk around Palermo, OLA has transformed the former Hipódromo parking lot into a new space for food, strolling and socializing. The complex combines pedestrian paths, shops and different places to eat and grab a drink.

Its location is one of its main attractions: from the site, there are views of the Rosedal, the Hipódromo and the Campo de Polo. Options include Checkpoint Charlie, Rock & Feller’s, Somma and Norimoto, as well as a running club. It’s an alternative for taking a break after exploring the area and staying a little longer as the sun goes down.

The tip: Checkpoint Charlie serves specialty coffee from Cabrales and is open every day from 8am to 2am. It’s a good option to sit down and work, grab a coffee or simply take a break in a relaxed setting.

Where: Dorrego 3552, Palermo.

Colegiales is one of those neighborhoods best enjoyed on foot and without rushing. In recent years, its food and cultural scene has grown considerably, while it has retained the laid-back pace that invites you to wander its streets. As part of the Aniversarios Porteños program, the idea is to explore the neighborhood and learn about the history of an area that was once part of what was known as Chacarita de los Colegiales, a reference to schoolchildren who used to spend their holidays there.

The walk can begin at Parque Ferroviario Colegiales, one of the area’s newest green spaces. Covering 24,000 square meters, it preserves part of the neighborhood’s railway heritage while adding trees, benches, paths and a Botanical Space dedicated to native species. From there, continue to the Mercado de las Pulgas, on the border with Chacarita. With more than 160 stalls, it’s a great place to browse through antique furniture, lamps, tableware, books, records, artworks and all kinds of objects. There are also restorers, metalworkers and other artisans keeping some of the trades connected to the market’s identity alive. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm, the best way to explore it is to take your time, browse around and see what you find.

The tip: Colegiales has a wide range of food options, including Anafe, Arredondo, Diez Treinta, Tu Jardín Secreto, Cofi Jaus, Privalia and Café Altar, among many others.

Where: Colegiales.

On September 21, spring also arrives on the stage of Teatro Colón: Gustavo Santaolalla presents the “Ronroco Tour 2026,” a journey through one of the most important albums of his career, originally released in 1998. The concert returns to the intimate world of Ronroco, the album built around the Andean instrument that shares its name and marked a turning point in the musician’s career.

The setlist also includes compositions from his work in film, including pieces from The Last of Us and Brokeback Mountain. The concert begins at 8:30pm, making it a good excuse to welcome spring with music at one of Buenos Aires’ most iconic venues.

The tip: With an estimated running time of 100 minutes, Santaolalla will be joined by Javier Casalla, Barbarita Palacios, Nicolás Rainone and Santiago Carregal.

Where: Cerrito 628, San Nicolás.

If the idea is to celebrate the arrival of spring with music and dancing, there’s a classic that never disappoints: La Bomba de Tiempo at Ciudad Cultural Konex. On Monday, September 21, the traditional percussion and improvisation ritual will have a special Students’ Day edition, with a show for all ages.

The event maintains the essence that has made the group a Buenos Aires classic: the music is created in the moment, the rhythms change and the audience also becomes part of the experience. With 20 years of history, their distinctive signaling system, created in 2006, has allowed them to share the stage with artists such as Calle 13, Jorge Drexler and Café Tacuba, and attract more than five million spectators around the world. You don’t need to know how to dance or follow any particular steps: just let yourself be carried away by the drums and the energy of the gathering.

The tip: there is a 20% discount with Galicia Visa cards on online purchases, as well as a special promotion for birthday celebrants and their friends.

Where: Sarmiento 3131, Balvanera.

A great way to make the most of a spring afternoon is to hop on a boat and watch the sunset from the Río de la Plata. Different cruises depart from Puerto Madero, allowing you to sail while the sun sets over the Buenos Aires skyline and the city begins to light up.

There are options for different kinds of outings: from relaxed cruises focused on the scenery to trips featuring music, cocktails and food on board. Some boats also have outdoor areas where you can enjoy the fresh air and take photos during the cruise. It’s an especially appealing plan in spring, when the afternoons are longer and the weather makes you want to stay outside a little longer.

The tip: routes, prices and services vary by company. Before booking, it’s worth comparing the options and checking what each cruise includes.

Where: Puerto Madero, depending on the company and route.

For a more relaxed plan, the Japanese Garden is a classic that has a special charm in spring. Located within Parque 3 de Febrero, the garden invites you to walk among trees, bridges, stone lanterns and a koi pond, with different species changing throughout the year. In September, irises also bloom, adding color to the walk.

It’s ideal for taking your time, sitting for a while and admiring the scenery, and enjoying one of Palermo’s quietest corners away from the pace of the city. The outing can end at Arte Culinario, the restaurant inside the garden itself. It serves sushi prepared in front of diners, hot and cold Japanese dishes, and a variety of sweet pastries.

The tip: the garden is open every day from 10am to 6:45pm and does not close when it rains. Children under 12 and adults over 65 enter free of charge. The restaurant is open every day from 10am to 6:30pm.

Where: Av. Casares 3450, Palermo.

The Rosedal in Palermo is one of those places that has a special charm in spring. Its 3.4 hectares are home to more than 18,000 rose bushes, as well as paths, a lake, the Greek Bridge, the Patio Andaluz and the Poets’ Garden, featuring sculptures of writers such as Alfonsina Storni, Dante Alighieri, William Shakespeare and Jorge Luis Borges. It’s a great place to take a leisurely walk, take photos and sit by the lake.

To round out the outing, AVG Electric Café, just steps from the park, offers specialty coffee, dishes to share, burgers and sweet options such as chocotorta. It also operates as a listening bar, with music and a calendar of special events. There are also promotions for individual or sharing options that combine food and drinks, ideal for taking a break before or after the walk.

The tip: the Rosedal is free to enter. AVG Electric Café opens from noon during the week and from 10am on Saturdays and Sundays.

Where: Av. Infanta Isabel 220, Palermo.

As afternoon turns to evening, Buenos Aires feels different from above. On the 31st floor of the historic Palacio del Plata, Olympo Sky Bar has a terrace with 360-degree panoramic views, where you can watch the city change color as the sun goes down.

The outing can start early with lunch or an executive menu and continue through sunset with classic and signature cocktails, wines and dishes to share. On Sundays, there is also a Sunset from 4pm to 10pm, ideal for raising a glass as the city lights begin to come on. More than simply going out for a drink, it’s a good excuse to take a break, stay a little longer and see Buenos Aires from a different perspective.

The tip: it’s open Monday to Friday from noon and Saturday and Sunday from 4pm. Its Instagram also announces special events ranging from live painting to DJ nights.

Where: Av. Corrientes 1464, San Nicolás.

Puerto Madero and the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve make an excellent combination for enjoying a spring afternoon outdoors. The outing can be done by bike from Palermo, following the bike lanes to Retiro and then heading toward Puerto Madero. The route is around 34 kilometers and combines city, river and nature. In Puerto Madero, the ride passes between the docks, Puente de la Mujer and the converted former warehouses before continuing toward the Reserve.

The scenery changes completely: its 350 hectares include lagoons, wetlands, forests and pampas grasslands, with a wide variety of birds and paths for walking or cycling. Inside the Reserve, the bike route allows you to ride through the vegetation, stop in the landscaped areas and enjoy the scenery, sunshine and river air. It’s a good plan for those September days when there are still several hours of daylight.

The tip: there are some sections of the route where it’s worth paying extra attention to safety and following the bike-lane signs. Admission to the Reserve is free.

Where: Av. Dr. Tristán Achával Rodríguez 1550, Puerto Madero.

With the arrival of spring, the Botanical Garden becomes one of those places where you can forget about the noise of the city for a while. Across its seven hectares, you can explore gardens and collections, discover the cactus collection, visit the Butterfly Garden or simply find a shady bench and enjoy the greenery.

It also offers guided tours on weekends and five self-guided routes for discovering its natural and artistic heritage at your own pace. Families can also take part in exploration activities and citizen science programs. It’s a simple, free plan that’s perfect for an afternoon outdoors, especially when good weather invites you to slow down.

The tip: its seven hectares are home to more than 1,500 plant species, including trees, palms, cacti and native plants from different parts of the world.

Where: Av. Sta. Fe 3957, Palermo.

La Pampa Cósmica, by Pérez Celis, curated by Rodrigo Alonso, is on display at Palacio Libertad, bringing together original works from the artist’s Pampas period alongside an immersive video installation that updates his visual universe through technology. The exhibition offers a journey through the horizons of the Pampas, the artist’s saturated colors and pre-Hispanic forms, exploring the relationship between landscape, space and the universe.

Meanwhile, Trade Sky Club, the new project by MAD Group on the 28th floor of the Qiub tower, combines cocktails, cuisine by Dante Liporace, DJ sets and a terrace with open views of Buenos Aires. Spanning 600 square meters and featuring a more nighttime, club-like atmosphere, the space aims to extend the experience from sunset into the early hours of the morning.

Humano is a new space in Bonpland combining food, drinks, music and vinyl records in an atmosphere designed for slowing down and sharing a meal. Along with coffee and options for an afternoon snack or a drink, it offers more substantial choices, such as a three-course menu, as well as the option of choosing a song to share with whoever you’re with.

Hortiga is a new Palermo food spot combining an open kitchen, contemporary cuisine and cocktails in a space with a strong identity. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7pm, it invites guests to stay for dinner, listen to music and enjoy an experience that brings together food, drinks and atmosphere.

La Bodeguita, a classic from Mar del Plata, has opened in Palermo opposite Plaza Armenia, bringing Latin American flavors, mojitos and music to the neighborhood. Open since August, the new Buenos Aires location retains the festive Caribbean spirit of the original. To join in, there is a happy hour every day from 6pm to 8pm, featuring classic mojitos, Najita, Fernet Branca, Carpano with soda and draught Stella.

The tip: Five new spots and experiences to discover this spring in Buenos Aires, with plans ranging from happy hours and exhibitions to DJ sets and outdoor spaces.

Where: Palacio Libertad, Trade Sky Club, Humano, Hortiga, La Bodeguita.