National Puestero Festival: Junín de los Andes celebrates the rural worker

Every February, Junín de los Andes pays tribute to the puestero, the rural worker who lives in the most remote outposts of the Andes, and to the farming families of southern Neuquén. The National Puestero Festival has been held since 1988: rodeo, gaucho skills, gaucho parades, folk music and a big fair of saddlers and artisans, at the Centro Tradicionalista Huiliches grounds.

A festival born on the ranch

The idea came up in 1987 among the workers of the Collun Co estancia, and the first edition was held in February 1988, together with Junín’s anniversary: some 10,000 people came and Alberto Merlo, Argentino Luna and Los Chalchaleros, among others, performed. It started as a provincial festival and is now a national one. It is organized by the Centro Tradicionalista Huiliches.

What to see and do

• Rodeo riding in the gurupa, clina and bastos categories, also at night, with the «Broche de Oro» final.
• Gaucho skills: ring tilting (sortija), roping (pialada), rienda en caña and more, plus contests for the best horse gear and the outstanding puestero.
• Gaucho parades through the town centre and a popular barbecue.
• Days dedicated to Country Women, Young Puesteros and Young Gauchos, and the election of the Flor del Pago.
• A stage with folk music, chamamé and payadores (improvising folk singers).
• A fair of saddlers, artisans and food: in 2026 there were more than 100 stalls.

When and where

It is held in February, over four or five days, at the Centro Tradicionalista Huiliches grounds on national route 40, at the northern entrance to Junín de los Andes. In 2026 it ran from February 11 to 15, with new grandstands. For 2027, the organizers have announced February 3 to 7. Admission is charged per day. See accommodation in Junín de los Andes.

Getting there

Junín de los Andes is on national route 40, near San Martín de los Andes. The nearest airport is Chapelco. From the city of Neuquén it is about 395 km.