Unmissable plans to enjoy the Christmas spirit

Did you know Buenos Aires has its own Christmas park? Like all major cities worldwide, this year we can boast of having an outdoor space fully dedicated to celebrating Christmas. Full of fantasy, with shows, a carnival, games, a large festive tree, a nativity scene, and the presence of Santa Claus to receive children's letters and capture the moment with the classic photo.

With free entry, it's suggested to bring toys to donate so children in need can receive a present. The park also has a large food court, magical stables, and a Christmas market for buying little gifts. The cherry on top? A fantastic show by Muni on Monday, December 16 at 6 pm.

When and where: December 14-23 at Plaza Intendente Seeber, in Palermo.

Not as well-known as the iconic panettone, Stollen is the German equivalent shared at Christmas tables. The story goes that it originated in Dresden, Germany, in the 15th century, and was initially made only with flour, yeast, and water, as the Catholic Church forbade the use of butter as a sign of humility.

Over the years, it evolved into "bread fit for kings" and included various ingredients such as marzipan, raisins, and orange peel. It is characterized by its elongated shape and white coating, reminiscent of the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes.

In Buenos Aires, the Stollen specialists can be found at Viegener Confectionery. With over 75 years of history, they make it year-round, but during the Christmas season, they produce over 2,000 units by hand with a unique recipe passed down through generations.

Where: Av. Maipú 1480, Vicente López; Av. Coronel Díaz 1855, Palermo.

Staying home but still want to soak up some Christmas energy? There are new releases on various platforms where you can relax on the couch, order ice cream, wrap up in a blanket, and enjoy Christmas without leaving the comfort of your home. Here are two recommendations, but with the remote in hand, you'll find many more options.

On Disney+, you can watch “Almost a Christmas Tale,” the third and final installment of Alfonso Cuarón’s Christmas collection. The short is based on a true story: a little owl was rescued from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York in 2020. Trying to escape the frantic city, it befriends Luna, a lost girl, and together they embark on a touching adventure, forming an unlikely bond and discovering the magic of the holiday season.

On Amazon Prime, “Red Notice” has just premiered, a Christmas action comedy where Santa Claus is kidnapped, and the head of security at the North Pole – Dwayne Johnson – teams up with the planet's most infamous bounty hunter – Chris Evans – on a worldwide mission to save Christmas.

The city of Buenos Aires has iconic landmarks and monuments that, during the Christmas season, are illuminated with the colors of the holiday to welcome the new year with pure light and energy.

Also of interest: Where to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas in Buenos Aires

The Planetarium, the Monumental Tower, and the Monument to the Spaniards are just some of the sites dressed in holiday finery to celebrate Christmas in Buenos Aires. We suggest a tour to capture the best photos and mark the end of 2024 with this light intervention initiative in the streets. Plus, on December 19 at 8 pm, at the Monumental Tower, the Lanús Club choir will perform a program of Christmas carols to welcome Christmas with music.

Here’s a suggestion to embrace the Christmas spirit with family, enjoying an artistic event. "The Christmas Clock" is an audiovisual show with over 30 artists on stage to take us on a marvelous journey that involves toy makers, an eccentric clockmaker, and ancient characters like Befana – a friend of the Magi who showed them the way to Bethlehem – to discover solidarity and hope.

With a virtuous live orchestra performing classic Christmas songs, the highlight is that before the show begins, Santa Claus will host the night, receiving letters and wishes from all the families present.

When and where: December 21 at 8 pm at the Belgrano Auditorium. Tickets here.

Neighborhood clubs also prepare for kids to celebrate “full throttle” with shows by traveling artists, creative and artistic workshops, including making screen prints, fabric dolls, or kaleidoscopes, and the opportunity to take home a Christmas backpack with all their creations. Also, each location will have a photo opportunity for families to take their Christmas photo.

The participating clubs are: Club Bristol (La Rioja 1869, Parque Patricios), Club El Tábano (Doctor Rómulo S. Naon 3029, Coghlan) y Club Social y Deportivo Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (Av. Francisco Rabanal 2375, Villa Soldati), Asociación Vecinal Deportivo Buenos Aires (Pedernera 939, Flores) y Asociación Calabresa (Av. Hipólito Yrigoyen 3922, Almagro), Club Añasco (Gral. Manuel A. Rodríguez 2650, La Paternal) y Club Ciencia y Labor (Gral. César Díaz 2453, Villa General Mitre + Villa Santa Rita).

Check days and times here.

When it seemed everything had been invented, here comes the ice cream panettone! For those who aren’t afraid of indulging, Munchi’s launched a version of the classic Christmas treat in ice cream form.

Take note: 1 ½ kg of vanilla cream ice cream filled with selected dried fruits: hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts, topped with figs, plums, and a chocolate drizzle. This Christmas, dare to innovate, and your guests will surely thank you.

Christmas movies are a genre in themselves. Some are fun, emotional, adventurous, or action-packed, but they all have one thing in common: they celebrate the Christmas spirit and leave a message of hope and optimism.

Also of interest: Which is the best panettone in Buenos Aires

The Recoleta Cultural Center has scheduled a cycle with three classic films set during the Christmas season, each with a very different take. Don't miss this chance to see these holiday favorites on the big screen.

Gremlins: A cult 90s film set on Christmas Eve when strange creatures (both terrifying and endearing) invade a town and unleash unexpected chaos. Friday, December 20 at 7 pm.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: A film never commercially released in Argentina, which, in the style of a Christmas tale, mixes outrageous comedy with hardboiled noir to reveal a ruthless look at Hollywood. Friday, December 27 at 7 pm.

Where: Recoleta Cultural Center, Junín 1930. Free tickets with prior reservation, here.

We know this is a premium plan, but if you can treat yourself, it’s worth it. Hilton Pilar offers a Christmas afternoon that the kids will surely remember forever.

Shows, magic, fun, and an exquisite tea with a Christmas-themed buffet filled with festive delights. Each event is carefully planned with mischievous elves as hosts, a beauty atelier for the best Christmas “look,” a letter-writing workshop for Santa with magical helpers, interactive shows for the whole family, and, of course, the presence of Santa Claus, who will receive the little ones' letters.

Where: Ruta 8, Km 60.5, Pilar. Reservations, here.

Leaving Buenos Aires, we offer you a 100% Christmas-themed plan. Capioví is a town in Misiones that proudly boasts the title of being the “most Christmas town in Argentina.” And for good reason – its residents work together to decorate the streets of this small town, which fills with tourists eager to enjoy the festive end-of-year mood.

The tradition began in 2009 as a family catechesis project at the San Luis Gonzaga parish, and the whole town joined in decorating streets, squares, houses, and buildings, filling every corner with magic and color.

Today, the locals have embraced a sustainable project using recycled materials, and the celebrations offer a diverse program with traditional music, choral gatherings, dance, and light shows.