Shrove Tuesday in Argentina

A national holiday with workplace rules

Argentina’s Law 27,399 lists both Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday as immovable national holidays throughout the country. Because Carnival is classified as immovable, the law’s rules for transferring certain movable holidays do not apply to it.[1]

The Labor Contract Law applies Sunday-rest rules to national public holidays. Workers who work on a national holiday receive their normal pay plus an equal amount; the law also sets conditions for holiday pay when they do not work.[2]

A celebration with regional roots

Carnival in Argentina draws on Indigenous and other traditions that have come to the country, with regional communities shaping their own celebrations. The National Geographic Institute describes musicians, dancers and murga performers, as well as communities preparing costumes, floats and choreography over many months.[3]

In Tilcara, Jujuy, the Los Caprichosos de Tilcara comparsa includes musicians, people who portray devils and makers of traditional costumes. Its calendar of activities includes the Desentierro del Diablo, Martes de Chaya and Entierro del Diablo; the cultural heritage record connects the celebration with local identity and the region’s Indigenous roots.[5]

In Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos, the Matecito popular corsos feature traditional and themed murgas, carnival groups, a children’s corso and a Carnival burial. The local murgas use percussion, distinctive songs, recitations and satire, showing how this celebration has forms specific to its own place.[6]

What to expect day to day

The holiday period is an occasion for public celebrations and community participation, but events and customs differ by location. The national government describes Carnival as a popular celebration expressed through music, theatre, masks, costumes, dances, comparsas and street corsos.[4]

Banks observe Carnival as a bank holiday; the Central Bank publishes its financial institutions calendar annually. Its listed services for bank holidays include ATMs, online banking, mobile banking and card payments. For shop opening hours and transport schedules, check with local providers.[7]