Calle Palma on Weekends

Calle Palma is the main street of Asunción's historic center, and on Saturdays it turns into a free street fair. The Feria Palmear closes four blocks to cars and fills them with craft stalls, food, a music stage and activities for children. This page explains when the fair runs, what Sundays look like, which sights are a few steps away and how to get there.

Saturday: the Feria Palmear

Palmear takes its name from the palmeada, the old custom of strolling up and down Palma. The fair began in April 2024 as a way to bring that custom back and to revive the historic center, and 2026 is its third year. It is run by the Oficina de la Primera Dama (the First Lady's office) with the Municipalidad de Asunción, other government institutions and AMCHA, the association of historic-center businesses.

What you find. Organizers and press describe four pedestrian blocks with Paraguayan crafts (ñandutí lace, ao po'i embroidery, leather, wood, ceramics, filigree), books and illustrations, food stalls with Paraguayan and international food, a stage with music and dance into the evening, and areas for children and pets. Shops along the street stay open, and some sell from the sidewalk in front of their premises. Artisans come through the Instituto Paraguayo de Artesanía, and small businesses through the Viceministerio de Mipymes.

When it gets busy. At the first edition in 2024, the tourism minister expected the biggest crowds in the late afternoon and evening, so midday is likely calmer.

Sunday: is there a flea market?

Older guides describe a Sunday antiques and flea market on Calle Palma, and the city's culture office supported a "Flea Market" on Palma in 2021 and 2022. We found no 2026 source confirming a regular Sunday market, so check before visiting.

For antiques, the confirmed option is a monthly Saturday fair run by antique dealers at the Estación Central del Ferrocarril, also in the historic center. On Sundays, nearby sights that open include the Panteón (mornings), El Cabildo and Manzana de la Rivera; see what is open on a Sunday.

Special dates in 2026

Many Saturdays have a theme. Recent editions, as announced by organizers and reported in the press:

• 30 May: "Palmear sin Fronteras", with stands from other countries.
• 11 July: San Juan Palmear, with San Juan music and traditions.
• 15 August: a children's day party from México to 14 de Mayo, with about 45,000 people according to Diario HOY.
• 22 August: a Día del Folclore edition with folk dance and music.
• 26 September: "Palma Joven" for the spring and youth day.

To see what is on this Saturday, check announcements from the Oficina de la Primera Dama and the Municipalidad de Asunción, and the weekend listings in the Paraguayan press.

Works on Calle Palma

Palma is part of a government plan to renovate the historic center. In January 2026 the public works ministry (MOPC) said it would tender works in the first quarter of the year to bury cables, add storm drainage and widen sidewalks. In August 2026 the minister said the plan is to bring the sidewalks and roadway of Palma to one level and link the street with the downtown plazas. No start date for work on Palma has been published. If construction starts, the fair's layout may change, so check before visiting.

Nearby, in a few minutes' walk

Palmear sits in the middle of the old center, so it is easy to combine with free sights.

• Panteón Nacional de los Héroes, on Plaza de los Héroes beside Palma. In 2024 the then mayor called the spot in front of it, on Palma, the city's point zero. The changing of the guard is on Saturday mornings; on Sundays it closes at noon.
• Casa de la Independencia, near the 14 de Mayo end of the fair, listed with evening opening on fair Saturdays.
• El Cabildo and Manzana de la Rivera, also in the old center.

For a weekday version of the same walk, see our free afternoon in the old center, and for opening days of every museum, the museums guide.

Getting there

Calle Palma runs through the historic center. Map

• By ride app: about 15 to 30 minutes from the Ycuá Satí / Villa Morra side of town (an estimate; traffic changes it). During the fair the four blocks are closed to cars, so ask to be dropped on a cross street. See booking a ride.
• By bus: check your route in the bus apps and see how bus cards work.

FAQ

What's on Calle Palma today?

On most Saturdays, the Feria Palmear, with crafts, food and live music on four pedestrian blocks (times in the box above). On other days Palma is a regular downtown shopping street.

When is the Calle Palma fair?

The Feria Palmear runs on Saturdays from late morning until late evening; see the box above.

Is there a flea market on Calle Palma on Sundays?

We found no 2026 source confirming a regular Sunday market, so check before visiting. A monthly Saturday antiques fair takes place at the Estación Central del Ferrocarril nearby.

How do I get to Calle Palma?

By ride app (about 15 to 30 minutes from the Ycuá Satí / Villa Morra side) or by city bus. On fair days, get dropped on a cross street.

Going this weekend? Find company on Meetups.