Every Saturday in season, Asunción’s grandest old street shuts to traffic and turns into a party. Feria Palmear fills Calle Palma between Independencia Nacional and 14 de Mayo from late morning until eleven at night, and it is free to walk straight into.

There are makers and artisans selling along the pavements, street food in every direction, live music and dancing, and a different theme each week. Nothing to book, nothing to pay.

It is run by the Municipalidad de Asunción’s culture and tourism department with the Oficina de la Primera Dama and AMCHA. The season runs roughly from April until just before Christmas and the odd Saturday is skipped, so have a quick look at the organisers’ social channels if you are making a special trip.

Nihon Matsuri, Paraguay’s biggest Japanese festival, is back for its ninth edition. This year it celebrates 90 years since the first Japanese immigrants arrived in Paraguay, and the organisers expect around 15,000 people.

More than 80 stalls will serve ramen, sushi, yakisoba, takoyaki, gyoza, karaage and onigiri, with traditional sweets to finish. You can buy or hire a yukata or happi coat on the day if you want to dress the part.

On stage there are Japan Bunka Taiko drummers, Bon Odori dancing and a yosakoi show from Kosei Yosakoi Paraguay. Musicians are also coming from Japan to play here for the first time, including koto player Yoshiaki Okawa and the trio Hanafugetsu, whose members played in Wagakki Band.

It runs from 16:00 to 23:00 at the Comité Olímpico Paraguayo in Luque. Tickets are Gs 25,000 in advance through Tuti or Gs 30,000 on the door, and under-10s, over-75s and anyone in cosplay get in free.

Organised by the Asociación Japonesa de Asunción, with support from the Embassy of Japan and Senatur.

Every Sunday morning, Paraguay GAA trains at Jabalíes Rugby Club in Luque from 10:30 to 12:30, and anyone can join in. Las Arpas, The Harps, started in late 2024 as a Sunday kickabout and have since won the Lynch Cup in Chile and finished third in their division at the 2026 GAA World Games in Ireland, with players from a dozen countries, most of whom had never touched a Gaelic football before their first session.

This is not a normal sports club. There are men’s and women’s teams, every level is welcome, families are welcome, and nobody is left standing on the sideline. Bring trainers, water and a willingness to have a go. Training is free to come and try.

New players can simply turn up, or message the club first on Instagram at @paraguaygaa or on WhatsApp to club president Giovani Teixeira on +595 972 237 4321.

The Asunción Times is proud to sponsor Las Arpas’ shirts.

Afterwork English Networking is where Paraguay meets the world, in English. Every second Tuesday from 18:00, English speakers in Asunción meet for a drink and a chat after work, wherever they learnt their English.

Locals come to meet people from abroad, and newcomers come to meet locals. It’s a social evening in English, not a class, so come ready to talk.

Half the room comes on their own, so if you walk in and recognise nobody, you’re in the majority. Say so at the door and one of our team will introduce you to somebody.

Free, with no booking. Everyone takes a name badge at the door so you can easily remember other people’s names, and you pay normal bar prices for your drinks. It runs until 21:00, at a different venue each time.

If the venue above still says “to be confirmed”, check back a few days before: we add it here as soon as it’s booked.

Organised by The Asunción Times.

Short-term rentals have become one of the most talked-about ways to invest in Asunción property, with new apartment buildings going up across the city.

Join our panel at SkyPark for a discussion and audience Q&A on the Airbnb sector here: choosing the right property, the numbers behind it, running it day to day, and the risks and rewards of getting started.

Doors open at 18:00 and the panel starts at 19:00 sharp, running for around 90 minutes, followed by networking and wine, all included with your ticket.

Tickets are $35 in advance (~Gs 200,000), or Gs 250,000 on the door (~$44). Space is limited, and entry on the door is only available if the event hasn’t sold out in advance. VIP Members of The Asunción Times get 50% off, whether they book in advance or pay on the door.

Any trouble buying your ticket online? Message us on WhatsApp at +595 971 900 011 or email hello@asunciontimes.com and we’ll sort it out.

Speakers will be announced soon.

Whether you are here in Paraguay for a month or three, or just forgot to ever leave, Thursday night is when the digital nomad and expat community takes over a bar in Asunción, from 19:30 until late, somewhere different every week.

Nomads and expats are the same crowd here, just on different timelines. A large share of the expats in Asunción arrived as digital nomads and decided to stay, which is why nobody draws much of a line between the two. Some are passing through with a laptop, some have relocated, some are people who lived abroad and came home to Paraguay. All of them are welcome. It is the biggest community of its kind in Paraguay.

It is a social night, not a sales opportunity, so leave the business cards at home. Free, no sign-up, drinks at bar prices. If you cannot see a venue on this listing yet, it will be confirmed here a few days before the meetup.

Every Saturday in season, Asunción’s grandest old street shuts to traffic and turns into a party. Feria Palmear fills Calle Palma between Independencia Nacional and 14 de Mayo from late morning until eleven at night, and it is free to walk straight into.

There are makers and artisans selling along the pavements, street food in every direction, live music and dancing, and a different theme each week. Nothing to book, nothing to pay.

It is run by the Municipalidad de Asunción’s culture and tourism department with the Oficina de la Primera Dama and AMCHA. The season runs roughly from April until just before Christmas and the odd Saturday is skipped, so have a quick look at the organisers’ social channels if you are making a special trip.