The tango’s evolution from back-street bordellos to high-society ballrooms proves that sexuality cannot be contained by class—passion is in everyone. That passion is celebrated every August during the Tango Buenos Aires Festival. Pairing this famously intimate dance with a half-million spectators may seem strange, but the festival’s artistic director Gustavo Mozzi insists there’s no better platform. “Tango is at a time of growth, evolution and expansion, and the more the festival is in tune with the booming, effervescent scene, the more it turns into a live, provocative space.”

Check out live concerts and films. You’ll find them all over the city during the festival and, of course, all related to tango.

Experience the city. Eat a world-renowned Argentinean steak, cruise bohemian cafes and take mid-afternoon siestas so you can keep up with the world-class nightlife.

Learn to dance. While the festival itself is free to attend, it’s worth the extra cost to take a tango class in BA—if you haven’t already taken one at home.

Fly into Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) , and take a shuttle or cab into central Buenos Aires (there’s an airport closer to the city, but it doesn’t serve international flights). There are inclusive packages that include airfare, accommodations and admission to classes, milongas and the Tango World Championships. The festival is free, and the city is not as expensive as it used to be, so spend some money on classes back home so you can keep up with the portenos (Buenos Aires natives).

http://festivales.buenosaires.gob.ar/es/tango