Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia

Origins and history

Grape harvest gatherings in the Mendoza region trace back to the seventeenth century. The event became an official provincial festival in 1936. Over time, it expanded into one of the most prominent harvest events in the world, earning international recognition alongside other major agricultural observances. Preparations begin months ahead of time across all nineteen departments of Mendoza Province, as each locality chooses its representatives and crafts displays leading up to the final week of celebrations.

Parades and processions

The festivities open on the final Sunday of February with the blessing of the fruit. Processions follow on the first Friday and Saturday of March. During the evening parade, known as the Vía Blanca de las Reinas, elected queens from every department ride decorated floats through the streets in front of hundreds of thousands of onlookers. The following morning features the daylight Carrusel Vendimial parade, which adds horse riders in traditional gaucho attire and folk dancers from across Argentina and neighboring countries.

The main stage show

The festival culminates in the Acto Central, a massive performance staged at the Frank Romero Day Greek theatre. More than a thousand performers and dancers take part in the production of light, sound, and traditional folkloric music. The show pays tribute to the Virgen de la Carrodilla, the patron protector of the vineyards. The night finishes with the election and crowning of the National Vendimia Queen, followed by a major fireworks display over the arena.

How Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia is kept

Celebrations begin on the last Sunday of February with a ceremonial blessing of the fruit. On the first Friday night of March, department queens ride allegorical floats through Mendoza in the Vía Blanca parade. The next morning, the Carrusel parade moves through the city with queens, gaucho horsemen, and folk dancers. The festival concludes at the Frank Romero Day Greek theatre with the Acto Central, featuring over a thousand artists, traditional music, the selection of the harvest queen, and fireworks.

When and where

The festival takes place every year, beginning with the blessing of the fruit on the final Sunday of February. The core events and parades run through the first week of March.

The festival is held in Mendoza City, located in Mendoza Province, Argentina. It unites all nineteen departments of the province, with the main stage spectacle hosted at the Frank Romero Day Greek theatre.

What Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia means

The festival honours the province's winemaking heritage and the agricultural workers who tend the vineyards. By paying homage to the Virgen de la Carrodilla, the community expresses gratitude for the grape harvest and seeks protection for future crops. The departmental queens and allegorical chariots reflect the distinct character and pride of each winemaking district in Mendoza.

On the table

• wine
• grapes
• fruit

Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

Questions people ask about Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia

See also

Inti RaymiA major Andean festival honoring the sun god Inti and marking the winter solstice in Cusco.LosarThe Tibetan Buddhist New Year festival of renewal, offerings, and family feastsUgadiA South Indian New Year feast celebrating life with sweet, sour, and bitter tastesMehreganAn Iranian autumn festival honoring Mithra, friendship, and the harvest

Good reading and sources

• Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.