OK, now we’re really deep into our own Messi-worshipping, Muchachos-singing World Cup frenzy, and the great part is that even with the Scaloneta playing against Jordan on Saturday night, Buenos Aires has much more to offer. 

Whether you are looking to fuel your sweet tooth, browse through contemporary designs at La Rural, take a football-history cemetery tour or catch a rare screening of an Argentine director’s classic Hollywood noir, our curated list of what to do in town is here for you.

No plans? As always, the Herald’s got you covered. 

La Chocolaterie

June 27 and 28, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Pabellón Ocre, La Rural (Av. Sarmiento 2704) 
Admission AR$15.000, tickets available online

Did you know Argentina is one of the largest chocolate consumers in Latin America? Every Argentinian consumes, on average, 2 kilos per year — which honestly doesn’t sound too much. La Chocolaterie is an annual event that brings together leading Argentine chocolatiers and manufacturers, as well as international specialists, to celebrate the local chocolate industry. This year’s Mundial-themed edition will feature more than 120 exhibitors.

Apart from indulging your sweet tooth this weekend, La Chocolaterie fair will also serve as the ultimate pre-game warm-up before Argentina’s group-stage match against Jordan on Saturday night.

The World Cup spirit takes over with exclusive releases, including a life-sized chocolate football by Thionis, albiceleste brigadeiros, and a giant chocolate trophy sculpted live by Lodiser. Visitors can also experience chocolate taps, interactive tastings, and cookie dough cups. Check out la-chocolaterie.com for details before heading over.

One Way Street: Hugo Fregonese’s first Hollywood film

June 27, 6 p.m.
Buenos Aires Film Musem (Agustín R. Caffarena 51)
Free admission

The Buenos Aires Film Museum — which made headlines this week for a controversial administration shift —  offers a screening of One Way Street, the first film Argentine director Hugo Fregonese made in the U.S. in 1950.

The Mendoza-born filmmaker landed in New York in 1935 without speaking a word of English, worked in Columbia as technical advisor and returned to Argentina in 1938, where he directed four films — including the classic Apenas un delincuente (1949 ) — before the kicked off his international filmmaking career, which alternated between Hollywood, Europe and Argentina.

This classic noir follows a cynical mafia doctor who flees to a destitute Mexican village with his boss’s money and mistress. As his dormant idealism awakens to help the locals, his past catches up with him. James Mason shines as an anti-hero with his trademark sobriety in a film that travels away from the urban setting and into a different geography where violence briefly gives way to hope. 

The Origins of Argentine Football: A Cemetery Tour

June 28, 11 a.m.
British Cemetery meeting point (Av. Elcano 4568)
Free admission

Legendary football, British history and cemeteries, all in one single event. Explore the roots of Argentina’s national passion with The Origins of Argentine Football, a joint guided tour through the British and Chacarita cemeteries. 

Starting at the British Cemetery, visitors will visit the grave of Alexander Watson Hutton, the founder of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and a pioneer of the sport in the country. The walk continues to Chacarita Cemetery to visit the Panteón de las Glorias de Boca Juniors (Boca Juniors Glories’ Pantheon) and the Recinto de Personalidades. 

Highlights include the final resting places of legends like José Amalfitani, Antonio Vespucio Liberti, and Adolfo Pedernera. Expect also an exhibition of historical artifacts, raffles, surprises, and little-known stories from the sport’s beginnings by expert and researcher Martin De Vita. Note that the event is cancelled in case of rain.

Classic 1980’s films at Cine York

June 25 to 27, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Cine York (Juan Bautista Alberdi 895, Olivos)
Free admission (first come, first served)

Just a train ride away to Olivos, the beautiful Cine York continues to offer some of the best film programs in town. This time, it’s 1980s gemstones, from John Carpenter’s kitsch adventure Big Trouble in Little China to Cameron Crowe’s directorial debut Say Anything and Penny Marshall’s unforgettable Big. The series celebrates the time Hollywood was still able to unapologetically mix tenderness, artifice, sweat and fantasy. All films are screened in their original language with Spanish subtitles; check out the schedule here. 

There is limited capacity, so be sure to show up early for the long cues — you can use the time to discuss with other cinephiles whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not. 

8th MAPA Art Fair 

June 25 to 28, noon to 8 p.m.
Guided tours: Friday to Sunday at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m..
Pabellón 8, La Rural (Av. Sarmiento 2704)

A premier meeting point for the regional art scene, MAPA gathers over 400 artists alongside galleries from Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Spain, and Peru.

Key features this year include the fair’s first-ever Design Section, featuring limited-edition furniture and collectible design objects, as well as an international exchange program with São Paulo’s renowned MADE fair, bringing a delegation of 18 top Brazilian designers to Buenos Aires.

Visitors can also witness live art: Venezuelan kinetic master Juvenal Ravelo will create a collaborative mural alongside Torcuato Di Tella University students in tribute to the late Julio Le Parc. Additionally, the exhibition Noé en clave gráfica will honor Luis Felipe Yuyo Noé through contemporary graphic techniques.

Polenta Watch Party by Hay Plan

June 27, 10 p.m.
Deseo Club (Av. Chorroarín 1040)
Tickets starting at AR$19,000, available online

One of the coolest event organizers in town, Hay Plan set up a Watch Party for the Argentina vs. Jordan match on Saturday at Deseo in Chacarita, followed by an actual (and massive) Fiesta Polenta afterparty until 6 a.m.

Two ticket tiers are available: free entry starts at 10 p.m. for the game and party (valid until 11:59 p.m.), while party-only tickets grant access from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. Note: Free tickets require email confirmation 48 hours in advance, or the spot will be released to another fan. Capacity is strictly limited.

POP UPS

Saigón Noodle Bar & Tres Monos

June 28, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Guatemala 4899, Palermo.

Palermo’s award-winning cocktail bar Tres Monos is hosting a one-night-only kitchen takeover by Saigón Noodle Bar. This special Sunday pop-up pairs signature mixology with Vietnamese street food staples. 

The exclusive, no-reservations menu features some of Saigón’s most representative dishes, including fried sweetbreads with fennel cream and pickled red onion, pork and prawn nems wrapped in rice paper with nước mắm sauce, and a crispy pork bánh mì packed with carrot-turnip pickles and fresh herbs. Show up early to grab a spot at the bar.

Eléctrica Pizza in Temple Bar

June 27, 7 p.m.
Temple Bar (Monroe 1845)

Temple Bar and Eléctrica Pizza join forces this Saturday for a massive game-day pop-up. Fans can gather for a pre-game party before Argentina takes on Jordan at 11 p.m., broadcast live on a giant screen.

Eléctrica Pizza is bringing its wood-fired, sourdough organic pizzas to Temple’s ovens. The exclusive menu features favorites like the Argenta, Magic Mushroom with truffle oil, and traditional fainá. Admission is free, and the celebration transitions into an all-night afterparty with DJs keeping the World Cup fever alive until dawn.

MUSIC

Babasónicos

June 25 and 26, 9 p.m.
Movistar Arena (Humboldt 450)

The highly successful Argentine pop & rock band born in the early Nineties is celebrating its recent recording Cuerpos vol. 1 and promises to make the setlist a collection of classic hits.

Dante Spinetta

June 26, 9 p.m.
Niceto Club (Niceto Vega 5510)

Half of pioneer rap and funk duo Illya Kuryaki & The Valderramas is celebrating his 30-year career with new album Día 3 and a nationwide tour.

Gilsons

June 28, 9 p.m.
C Art Media (Av. Corrientes 6271)

The sons and grandsons of iconic Brazilian singer-songwriter Gilberto Gil have a fascinating band that released a second album and continues to combine the heritage of Brazilian Popular Music (MPA) with a contemporary pop sound with electronic elements.

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