Like many small towns in South America, El Bolsón is often in the midst of celebrating a festival of some sort. The energy in El Bolsón, in particular, tends to attract people from around the world, making the town a bustling mixture of cultures. The reason for each celebration varies: from fine berries to jazz music, from the natural environment to El Bolsón’s favorite festival, the Fiesta Nacional del Lupulo (National Festival of Beer Hops). If you plan on staying in hotels during the large festivals, make early reservations. For backpackers, though, there are numerous camping areas around town and there is usually a camping site open somewhere in the vicinity. Here is a list of the more popular festivals:
December 1st through 10th: Jazz Festival
Month of January: Festival of Fine Fruit
January 19, 20, 21: Festival of Artisans
January 26, 27, 28: National Festival of Beer Hops
January 28: Anniversary of El Bolsón Township
Month of February: Festival of the Forest and its Environment
Month of February: Festival of the Steam Train
February 2, 3, 4: Province Festival of the BBQ
March 3 and 4: Municipal Festival of Queen of Puerto Patriada
March 24 and 25: Province Festival of the Chicha Drink
Month of October: Festival of Artisan Beer