Asunción begins its 489th anniversary celebration with different activities. Concerts, exhibitions, religious celebrations, and artisan fairs can be enjoyed across the city on Friday, August 14, 2026. The programme will bring together activities celebrating the capital’s history ahead of the official anniversary on 15 August. Paraguay’s capital was founded on 15 August 1537, by Spanish conquistador Juan de Salazar y Espinosa as the fort of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción on the banks of the Paraguay River. It later became a key base for Spanish colonial expeditions and earned the nickname “Mother of Cities” for giving rise to numerous other settlements across the region.
From the morning of 14 August, visitors can explore two artisan fairs in the city centre. The ASACIVAPA Artisan Fair will take place at Plaza Juan E. O’Leary from 07:00 to 22:00, up until 17 August. The APAR Artisan Fair will also be open from 07:00 to 22:00 at Plaza de la Democracia. Organised by the Asociación Paraguaya de Artesanos, the fair will continue until 23 August.
Music and celebrations
The afternoon and evening programme on 14 August will feature activities dedicated to Asunción and its patron saint. At 18:00, the monument to Nuestra Señora de la Asunción will be inaugurated and blessed at Costanera Norte. The ceremony forms part of the celebrations honouring the capital’s patron saint. Religious activities will also take place at the Catedral Metropolitana, as part of the novenario leading up to the 15 August celebrations.
The evening celebrations will centre around Plaza de Armas, where #ASU489 will begin at 20:00. The event marks the foundation of Nuestra Señora Santa María de la Asunción. Organisers invite residents and visitors to celebrate the city. The event is also being promoted by AMCHA – Sentí el Centro, which announced a celebration with musicians El Culto Casero, with its full line-up to be announced.
Also at 20:00, the Orquesta de Cámara del CCPA will present Misa de Schubert at Iglesia de La Encarnación. The concert will serve as a musical tribute to Asunción.
The evening will continue at 20:30 with the opening of “Hecha Jo’a”, a photography exhibition by Carlos Ahner at the Manzana de la Rivera. The exhibition explores Asunción through its history, architecture and urban landscapes, offering a visual look at the city and its changing identity.
A city-wide celebration
With activities ranging from traditional crafts and religious ceremonies to classical music and photography, Friday’s programme offers several ways to experience Asunción before its anniversary. The celebrations will continue on Saturday, 15 August, when the city marks its 489th anniversary with the AsuFest 489 programme at Costanera de Asunción.
