Thousands of people filled the center of Argentina’s capital on Monday for Gospel Experience 2025, a daylong festival that brought faith, music and visual arts into the public square and showcased one of the country’s largest Christian cultural events.
Stretching along Avenida Diagonal Norte from the Obelisk to Plaza de Mayo, the festival featured more than 2,000 artists and volunteers from local churches. Organizers said the annual gathering aims to “bring the church to the street” by connecting Christian worship with Argentina’s urban and cultural life.
From early morning, families, young people and congregations lined the 1.2-kilometer corridor linking the city’s landmarks. Admission was free, and warm weather supported a full schedule of performances and activities.
The main stage in Plaza de Mayo served as the focal point, hosting gospel choirs, bands, vocal ensembles and DJs. The program blended traditional gospel music with contemporary genres. A second stage at the Obelisk expanded the lineup with sets of reggae, blues, indie, rock and cumbia throughout the afternoon.
Children’s programming also drew large crowds. The “Experiencia Kids” area offered games, painting, theater and interactive activities. A sports zone provided matches, demonstrations and recreational exercises with invited athletes.
This year included a new science, culture and spirituality section organized by the Evangelical University, featuring robotics and applied-technology exhibits as well as an immersive presentation from the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.
Visual arts occupied a prominent role along the avenue, with stands showcasing painters, sculptors and writers, as well as open creative workshops. Visitors and community leaders gathered for conversations and collaborative artistic sessions.
The Buenos Aires Fire Department participated with demonstrations, simulators and safety talks, drawing the attention of passersby who were unaware of the event. Pedro, a Monserrat resident, said he discovered the festival by chance while visiting a nearby café. Although agnostic, he said he appreciated efforts “for the common good.”
Previous editions of Gospel Experience have attracted more than 80,000 attendees and featured over 2,000 artists, according to organizers.
For many participants, the gathering served as both a cultural festival and a public expression of Christian faith. Estefi, from the Belgrano neighborhood, said she invited friends who do not attend church “to see what we do.” Nahuel, who cycled 33 kilometers from Quilmes with other church members, said the event combined “exercise and Christian music in amazing settings.”
Near the main stage, older adults also joined the celebration. Antonio and Concepción, a couple in their 70s, sat in folding chairs drinking mate while listening to gospel performances. “This fills my soul,” Antonio said as the Afro Sound Choir performed.
As the day progressed, musical performances, testimonies and worship created a wide display of how faith communities engage with Argentine public life. Organizers contrasted the festival with other regional events marked by alcohol-centered festivities, noting that Gospel Experience offered a family-friendly alternative.
The festival concluded with a large crowd gathered at Plaza de Mayo for the final performances and prayers. Organizers said Gospel Experience 2025 left a “visible mark” on the city as one of Buenos Aires’ most significant annual public Christian events.
Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
