FF MM · CC BY-SA 4.0Semana de la Cultura (Día Nacional de la Cultura)
A free week of music, fairs, open museums and workshops in Asunción's Historic Centre.
What it is
The National Culture Secretariat organizes the Semana de la Cultura every November, around National Culture Day (17 November), together with other public institutions and civil-society groups. In Asunción's Historic Centre it combines talks, workshops, artistic performances, craft, food and plant fairs, Indigenous markets and night-time tours of public and private museums. In 2022 the main festival was on Saturday 19 at Plaza de la Democracia, with rock, folk and jazz bands, children's activities, a pet parade and a Night of the Museums from 18:00 to midnight; access was free, with downtown streets closed from the 18th to the 20th.
What to see and do
- Free main festival at Plaza de la Democracia
- Night of the Museums
- Craft and Indigenous markets
- Workshops, talks and children's activities
Tips
Leave the car behind and walk or use public transport: some downtown streets are closed.,Check the National Culture Secretariat's agenda to pick museums and times.,November is already hot: bring water and a hat.
Dates may shift to the nearest weekend.
What to see
Asunción · Asunción (Distrito Capital)
Palacio de López (Palacio de Gobierno)
The palace Carlos Antonio López had built for his son, now the seat of the executive branch overlooking the bay.
Asunción · Asunción (Distrito Capital)
Panteón Nacional de los Héroes y Oratorio de la Virgen de la Asunción
The domed shrine where the great names of Paraguayan history rest, watched over by soldiers in full dress uniform.
Asunción · Asunción (Distrito Capital)
Plaza de los Héroes y calle Palma (centro histórico)
The main square and downtown's shopping street: handicrafts, a Saturday street fair and buildings that tell a century of stories.
Asunción · Asunción (Distrito Capital)
Museo Casa de la Independencia
The colonial house where Paraguay's independence was plotted on the night of May 14, 1811.
Festivals and events here
International Jazz Day in Asunción
Jazz concerts at cultural centers and stages around the capital to celebrate the genre’s world day.
MusicAsunción, Asunción (Distrito Capital)May→ JunAsunción International Book Fair (FIL)
Ten days of books, authors and language: the country’s great literary festival, with free entry and a guest country.
CulturalAsunción, Asunción (Distrito Capital)FeaturedMayIndependence Days (May 14 and 15)
Two public holidays for the 1811 independence: flags, ceremonies, sopa paraguaya and chipa guasu all over the country.
CulturalAsunción, Asunción (Distrito Capital)AugAugust 1: National Carrulim Day
On the first day of August people drink carrulim—cane liquor, rue and lemon—to ward off the ills of the most dreaded month.
TraditionAsunción y todo el país, VariosResearched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.