Vendimia Festival

Name: Vendimia Festival
Start: 2025-03-06
End: 2025-03-09
Location: Mendoza

Mendoza’s Grand Celebration of Grapes, Wine, and Argentine Pride

2026/03/05 - 2026/03/08

Every March, Mendoza—the wine capital of Argentina—is swept up in the vibrant energy of the Vendimia Festival. This is far more than a wine event; it’s a spectacular celebration of the grape harvest. The fresh scent of grapes and the rhythms of folkloric music fill the city, while parades, fireworks, and the clinking of glasses carry the festivities late into the night. For wine lovers, culture seekers, and festival enthusiasts, Vendimia is a unique experience overflowing with tradition, flavor, and joy.

The festival takes place in Mendoza city and throughout the province, usually in early March each year. From local families to visitors from around the globe, hundreds of thousands gather to share in Mendoza’s world-class wine and the passion of the people who make it.

Main Attractions

Vía Blanca de las Reinas (White Way of Queens Parade)

On Friday night, the “queens” from Mendoza’s 19 districts ride through the city on floats adorned with grapes and flowers. Dressed in dazzling costumes, they wave to crowds of more than 200,000 people, sometimes tossing bottles of wine or gifts from their floats. It’s a festival tradition to catch these gifts with baskets attached to long poles.

Carrusel Vendimial

On Saturday morning, the “Carrusel” daytime parade features not only the queens’ floats but also gauchos in traditional dress, horses, folkloric dancers, and delegations from other provinces and countries. The sound of hooves, colorful costumes, and folk music fill the streets, celebrating Mendoza’s multicultural pride.

Acto Central (Central Show)

The climax of the festival is the Acto Central, held in the open-air Frank Romero Day Amphitheater. Over 1,000 dancers and performers put on a spectacular show of lights, music, and dance, dedicated to the Virgen de la Carrodilla, the patron saint of vineyards. The night ends with the crowning of the Vendimia Queen and a brilliant fireworks display.

Other Key Events

The “Blessing of the Fruit,” held on the last Sunday of February, is a moving ceremony marking the start of the harvest. During the festival, lively street fairs, artisanal markets, wine tastings at local wineries, and live music in the plazas fill the city with a festive mood. Parks and historic sites are packed with visitors enjoying the celebrations.

Costumes and Decorations

The queens wear grape-themed dresses, floral crowns, and sashes, while dancers perform in colorful folkloric costumes. The floats are beautifully decorated with fresh flowers, grapevines, and regional symbols. The city itself is adorned with banners, flags, and grape-themed decorations, and lanterns and fireworks create a magical nighttime atmosphere.

Traditional Food & Drink

Vendimia is a paradise for food lovers. Street stalls offer empanadas, grilled meats, local cheeses, and pastries, while Mendoza’s famous Malbec and Torrontés wines flow freely. The air is filled with the sweet scent of grapes, the smoky aroma of asado, and the fresh notes of olives and olive oil. You can also enjoy local craft beers and unique treats like chocolate beer.

Cultural and Historical Background

The roots of Vendimia trace back to the 17th century, when local farmers would gather after the grape harvest to celebrate and give thanks for their bounty. Mendoza’s unique climate—fed by Andean snowmelt, abundant sunshine, dramatic temperature swings, and mineral-rich soils—helped it grow into Argentina’s largest wine region, now producing about 70% of the country’s wine.

In 1936, the first official Vendimia Festival was held to honor the hard work and pride of the region’s grape growers and winemakers, and to promote Mendoza’s wine industry. The festival expanded year by year, adding parades, traditional music, dance, and the crowning of the “Queen of the Harvest.” Parades like the Vía Blanca de las Reinas and Carrusel Vendimial became signature events, showcasing Mendoza’s history, culture, and diversity.

The festival’s grand finale, the Acto Central, features more than 1,000 dancers and performers on stage, expressing gratitude to the Virgen de la Carrodilla and celebrating the connection between grapes, wine, and the people. Today, Vendimia is recognized as one of the world’s greatest harvest festivals, drawing more than 150,000 visitors in 2020 and earning a spot in National Geographic’s “Top 10 Harvest Festivals.”

For locals, Vendimia is more than a festival—it’s a symbol of identity and pride passed down through generations. It’s the soul of Mendoza, where nature’s bounty and human effort come together, and where the crowning of the Queen and traditional rituals ensure that culture and hospitality are handed on to the next generation.

Participant Voices

As a wine lover, attending Vendimia was a dream come true. I joined a local family for the Blessing of the Fruit and was deeply moved by their respect for the land and the meaning behind every ritual. The open-air theater show at night was a feast of color, music, and emotion.