This weekend was made for contemporary art lovers, from arteba to AFFAIR to BADA, don’t miss Buenos Aires’ iconic art fairs. Plus, we snuck in a Japanese food rec, just in case art isn’t your thing.

Onigiris and sandos — Japanese cuisine night 

Thursday 28 — 8 p.m. until it sells out

Mitingu (Avenida Lidoro J. Quinteros 1490, Núñez)

Mitingu, the city’s first onigiri bar, is spotlighting renowned chef Marcelo Arakaki, owner of iconic Buenos Aires restaurant Sashimiya. He will take full control of the menu for a night of Japanese street food featuring a variety of onigiris and sandos — Mitingu’s specialty — along with other dishes such as nigiris and miso soup, specially created for the occasion.

Some of his creations include the Onigiri Masu with trout, chives, sesame oil, and trout roe; the Buta Sando with pork shoulder, lettuce, and Japanese mayonnaise; and Misoshiru Soup, among others. This event is first-come, first-served, and will go until they sell out (which will happen quickly), so get there early. 

arteba 2025 

Friday 29 to Sunday 31 — noon to 8 p.m.

Centro Costa Salguero (Av. Costanera Rafael Obligado 1221, Palermo)

Tickets are AR$14,000 and can be purchased online, students and retirees half off, kids under 10 enter free

A new edition of arteba is here with a curated selection of 67 galleries showcasing works by more than 400 artists from Argentina and around the world. This show is huge; it spans across 11,000 m² blending modern and contemporary art.

With a national and global outlook, arteba is a vibrant cultural platform that, over five days, brings together today’s most outstanding artistic projects and highlights the richness and complexity of the art world. Check out a full list of galleries online. 

The program includes tours, talks and networking activities during the fair and in the days leading up to it. We’re not kidding when we say this show is big — wear comfortable walking shoes, block off hours of your afternoon to do the rounds, and be prepared to accidentally elbow about 12 people just for the sheer quantity of attendees. All that aside, it is worth going, as this scale of art show is in a category of its own.

AFFAIR contemporary art fair

Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 — 2 to 8 p.m.

Galerías Larreta (Florida 971 / San Martín 954, Microcentro)

Free admission

The third edition of AFFAIR, Buenos Aires’ collaborative contemporary art fair, is back this weekend. Founded by gallerists in 2023, the fair has quickly positioned itself as a fresh, innovative space in the local art scene. 

This year’s edition brings together 30 galleries and contemporary art projects from across Argentina, plus Judas Galería from Valparaíso, Chile. The model pairs “resident” galleries with “guests,” encouraging collaboration over competition and creating a diverse, federal showcase.

Alongside the main fair, visitors can explore two standout programs: Mi Primer AFFAIR, a digital catalog featuring low priced artworks and Infancias, a program of workshops and activities designed for children, making the fair a family-friendly outing.

BADA Art Fair

Thursday 28 through Sunday 31 — 2 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are AR$12,000, discount if purchased online ahead of time. Students and retirees half price entry, kids under 12 free

La Rural Pabellón Verde (Av. Sarmiento 2704, Palermo)

The 13th edition of Argentine art fair BADA reopens its doors to showcase contemporary art from over 300 artists to more than 100,000 visitors. BADA connects artists directly with the public, offering an opportunity to see works up close, talk with creators, and even purchase original pieces in accessible price ranges. Each stand features both artwork and the artist, enabling conversations.

Following its success in Mexico and Spain, BADA continues to foster cultural exchange and democratize art. Participating artists span disciplines including painting, sculpture, photography, collage, illustration, glasswork, installation, textile, ceramics, and contemporary jewelry. Highlights include interactive experiences such as the “Elijo Ser Yo” installation by Adolfo Domínguez, and sensory explorations of personal fragrance lines by ADN.