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News – January, 27th, 2026
Expo La Rural: 83 Years of Living Tradition in Junín de los Andes
Every January, Junín de los Andes, in Argentina’s Neuquén province, becomes the epicenter of rural Patagonian culture with the celebration of Expo La Rural. Now in its 83rd edition, this iconic event is hosted by the Sociedad Rural de Neuquén and stands as one of the most important agricultural and cultural gatherings in northern Patagonia.
For travelers seeking an authentic experience beyond Patagonia’s famous landscapes, Expo La Rural offers a rare opportunity to witness living traditions that continue to shape the region’s identity.
With more than eight decades of history behind it, Expo La Rural is far more than a fair. It is a living portrait of regional identity—shaped by horses and livestock, by long days on the land, and by the quiet pride of generations who have helped build Neuquén’s rural heritage.
Expo La Rural is a traditional annual rural exhibition that brings together gauchos, ranch owners, breeders, and local families. Held every January, the event celebrates rural life through livestock showcases, traditional ranch work demonstrations, auctions, and a vibrant fair of local products.
With more than eight decades of history, the expo is not a reenactment of the past—it is an active, contemporary expression of Patagonia’s working countryside.
One of the main attractions of Expo La Rural is the opportunity to see traditional gaucho skills in action. Visitors can observe classic ranch work demonstrations, including horse handling, herding techniques, and livestock management practices that are still used daily on Patagonian estancias.
These displays offer valuable insight into the skills and knowledge passed down through generations of rural families in Neuquén.A Meeting Ground for Gauchos, Ranchers, and Families
From early morning, the exhibition grounds fill with gauchos dressed in bombachas, leather boots, and berets, ranch owners from across the province, and local families who return year after year. Children move easily between corrals and stands, growing up immersed in traditions that remain very much alive.
Horses, Livestock, and Rural Excellence
Among the event’s most anticipated highlights is the showcase of stallions, where breeders present horses valued for their strength, temperament, and ability to work Patagonia’s demanding terrain. Alongside them, carefully selected cattle and sheep breeds are exhibited—many of which are also auctioned, making the expo a key commercial and professional meeting point for producers.
The auctions unfold in an atmosphere that blends serious business with familiar conversation, reinforcing the sense that Expo La Rural is as much a social gathering as it is a marketplace.
Horses, Cattle, and Sheep Exhibitions
The expo features prominent stallion showcases, where breeders present horses selected for their strength, temperament, and endurance—essential qualities for working in Patagonia’s vast and demanding terrain.
In addition, carefully bred cattle and sheep are exhibited throughout the event. Many of these animals are also auctioned, making Expo La Rural an important commercial platform for producers and an essential meeting point for the regional livestock industry.
Local Fair, Handcrafted Goods, and Gaucho Clothing
Beyond the livestock rings, visitors can explore a lively local fair filled with Patagonian products and handcrafted goods. Stalls offer: Artisanal regional foods, Handcrafted mates and bombillas, Leather goods and traditional knives, Ponchos, belts, and gaucho clothing.
The fair is an ideal place to find authentic souvenirs—or even dress like a true gaucho while attending the expo.
Why Visit Expo La Rural in Junín de los Andes?
What makes the 83rd Expo La Rural in Junín de los Andes truly special is its authenticity. There are no barriers between visitors and participants; conversations flow naturally, mate is shared, and traditions are lived rather than displayed.
Set against the backdrop of the Andes, the event offers a meaningful cultural experience for travelers interested in Patagonian traditions, rural tourism, and Argentine gaucho culture.