The Mataderos neighbourhood is not usually one of the most popular among tourists, compared to San Telmo or Palermo. However, on Sundays, everything changes, and Mataderos becomes an excellent place to experience Argentine tradition and culture, as it hosts one of the largest fairs in the city.

Located just half an hour from the centre of Buenos Aires, the Feria of Mataderos is the ideal space to immerse yourself in national customs. Every object exhibited is typical of Argentine culture, from crafts and handmade food, to live traditional music and dance performances.

Here you will find unique products and folkloric shows that will connect you with the deep historical roots of the National Culture. We invite you to spend a different day, walking among craft stalls, typical dishes, music and dance shows.

History of the Mataderos Fair

Sara Vinocur, who is currently coordinating the fair, had the idea of ​​taking advantage of the space of the old National Treasury Market, to transform it into a cultural spot.

The Mataderos Fair was created with the idea of ​​generating a permanent area for the production and promotion of Argentine historical roots. Then in 1986, as a proposal from the city’s cultural area, the Argentine Popular Crafts and Traditions Fair began its operation.

The Porteña Legislature has declared the Mataderos Fair a Cultural Heritage of the City. This is because in its program there is a wide range of typical artistic expressions: traditional dances, folklore concerts, a variety of gaucho skills, ring races and music festivals.

Mataderos, a peculiar name

This Buenos Aires neighbourhood owes its name to the installation of cattle slaughterhouses at the beginning of the last century. However, originally, the neighbourhood was known as “New Chicago” because of its similarity to the American city that is related to the meat industry.

As the neighbourhood started growing and its activity started to be more and more bustling, the name changed. The number of meat processing plants increased in the area, that is why locals began to call it Mataderos.  

A traditional Social Club still takes the historical name: el New Chicago Soccer Club.

The Artisan Products of the Mataderos Fair

Walk through the Fair and find all kinds of typical Argentine crafts. The objects are made by hand using different materials: silver and alpaca, looms, leather and various types of wood. The offer is diverse: You will be able to choose from a wide range of handicrafts!

The Mataderos Fair has more than 700 stalls, with an immense variety of purchasing options. There you can find traditional artefacts of all kinds, ranging from pieces of fine silverware to mate pots made of wood or from pumpkins.

You can also find handmade clothing: blankets, ponchos, scarves, gloves and handloom woven garments.

Following the Argentine tradition, there is a wide range of leather items; handbags, wallets and even shoes and boots. Among the classic products, you can also find the traditional facones, which are typical gaucho knives.

Folk Music and Dance Performances

The Fair features a wide stage, set up in front of the Old Hacienda Market; every Sunday, musicians and dancers leave the public speechless with their folklore shows.

When attending the Mataderos Fair, you will notice that it is not just a tourist spot, it is a great opportunity to learn more about Argentinians and their traditions. Gauchos and people from rural areas offer horseback riding shows, gaucho skills performances and ring races.

The typical accordions, drums and guitars, in addition to the traditional Bombo Legüero, create the sounds of Argentine folklore music. Also, you can enjoy local artists playing acoustic guitars. 

The traditional dance shows are not to be missed. Dressed in traditional costumes, every Sunday, artists offer their art and skill, making this event an immersive experience. Not only will you be able to enjoy the show, but you will also be invited to join the ballet group.

Traditional Dishes

Asado or the famous choripán, among other classics, are some of the dishes you will find at the Fair. The offer is wide, with a great number of must-try delicacies.

Sit at a community table in case you choose fast-food options. At the more formal restaurants, folklore shows will be part of the menu.

The native flavours that you can find and taste at the Fair are empanadas (with the styles of different provinces such as Tucumanas or Salteñas), locro ( traditional meat and vegetable stew), the Argentine barbecue, (with cuts of meat and beef entrails), tamales, fried pies and cupcakes. 

Buy cold meat, sausages, cheeses, olive oil, dulce de leche, honey, yerba mate and tinned food from all over the country. All top-quality, handcrafted products are perfect to take home if you want to make a special gift

Kids and the Fair

If the plan includes the whole family, we can assure you that there is no minimum age to enjoy the various cultural proposals. Entertaining shows, national culture and traditional exhibitions, and all kinds of activities, will make your day at Mataderos fair an excellent option.

You will also find games for all ages and, a few meters from the Fair space, there are fun playgrounds. Plaza Sebastián Boro and Plaza de los Mataderos offer entertainment and green spaces to enjoy with the family and get away from the hustle and bustle of the Fair.

Some Tips to Take into Account

We recommend that when visiting the Feria de Mataderos, you consider arriving early, it’s essential for several reasons…

Firstly, to secure a parking spot if you’re travelling by car. Secondly, the later you arrive, the busier the stalls will be, meaning longer wait times to buy food and browse.

The fair only takes place on Sundays from March to December, running from 11 am to 6 pm. Another key detail is that the Feria de Mataderos does not go ahead in rainy weather, as it’s an open-air event with no covered areas.

When it comes to payment, whether at food stalls or craft vendors, it’s best to have multiple payment options. While some stalls accept credit and debit cards, it’s not the norm, so we strongly advise bringing cash.

One of the fair’s standout attractions is the free workshops on offer, including weaving, folk dancing, guitar, Quichua language, and sikus (Andean panpipes). These are drop-in sessions, so you can simply join in!