FF MM · CC BY-SA 4.0Semana de la Guarania y Festival Nacional de la Guarania
More than 40 free activities for Guarania Day on 27 August, in Asunción and other cities.
What it is
José Asunción Flores, creator of the guarania, was born on 27 August 1904, and for years that date has been marked with a week of concerts, exhibitions, talks and tributes. The Semana de la Guarania is driven by the National Culture Secretariat together with the Municipality of Asunción and the José Asunción Flores Cultural Athenaeum, centred on Asunción (theatres and plazas) with activities in other towns such as Guarambaré. In 2025, the genre's centenary, there were more than 40 activities and the Festival Nacional de la Guarania was held on Encarnación's waterfront, with free entry and the National Popular Music Orchestra alongside guest artists. That same year the guarania was recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
What to see and do
- Free guarania concerts
- National Guarania Festival, hosted in a different city each time
- Exhibitions, talks and tributes to José Asunción Flores
- UNESCO recognition of the guarania
Tips
Check the National Culture Secretariat's agenda: venues change each year.,In Asunción, most activities are concentrated downtown, within walking distance of each other.,If you travel to the national festival, book lodging in advance.
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.