Fiesta de la Vendimia

When: Late Feb - Mar each year, with the biggest activities concentrated around the final weekend.

Where: Across Mendoza province in Argentina, from city streets to nearby vineyards and a hillside Greek amphitheatre for the central gala.

Cost: Many parades and outdoor events are free or low-cost, while the official gala and some theatre shows require purchased tickets.

Don’t miss: The Vía Blanca night float procession, the daytime Carrusel parade and the central gala where the Harvest Queen is crowned.

The Fiesta de la Vendimia celebrates the grape harvest and the region’s winemaking culture with a mix of folklore, music, dance and staged theatre. In Mendoza and its surrounding wine towns producers, choirs and community groups take part to show off the new vintage and local traditions.

Its roots lie in harvest blessings and community celebrations that grew alongside Mendoza’s wine industry; over time those local rituals evolved into a large public festival that attracts Argentines and international wine lovers. Events take place across the city and the nearby vineyards, culminating in a theatrical central act at the hillside Greek amphitheatre and parades through the city.

The festival runs annually in late February into March; exact dates shift slightly each year to match the harvest schedule and provincial programming. Expect a series of lead-up events across the week and then a packed final weekend featuring the Vía Blanca (night parade), the daytime Carrusel procession and the central gala night.

If you want to see the crowning ceremony, check the provincial programme for the gala date - it is the festival’s single high-profile finale and is scheduled on the festival’s last official night.

Fly into Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport (commonly called El Plumerillo, MDZ) to reach Mendoza city; the airport is a short taxi or shuttle ride from the centre. During Vendimia there are also extra shuttles and tourist buses to vineyard towns, so arrive a day or two early and book accommodation and any gala or parade tickets well in advance.

• Respect producers and parade participants: do not climb on floats or enter marked vineyard areas without permission.
• Dress in layers for warm days and cooler evenings in Mendoza; bring sun protection for daytime events.
• Book hotels, vineyard tours and gala tickets several weeks (or months) ahead, as local capacity fills fast.
• Carry ID for wine tastings and expect busy streets - use official taxis or prebook transfers at night.
• Learn a few basic Spanish phrases; event signage and announcements are often in Spanish and local vendors appreciate simple greetings.