In this guide
Entertainment in Mariano Roque Alonso comes down to four things: the cinema and food court at Shopping Mariano on the old Transchaco road, the Expo every July, concerts and games at the municipal sports arena, and a riverside lunch with live music in Remanso. For open space, Parque Ñu Guasu is a few minutes away toward the airport.
Cinema and mall: the any-day plan
Shopping Mariano cinema. The city's first cinema: four screens of 200 seats, Dolby 7.1 sound, a lift and wheelchair spaces (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). The mall is on Ruta Carlos A. López (ex Transchaco) at Manuel Irala Fernández, 150 metres from the Expo gate (Shopping Mariano (opens in a new tab)).
- After the film: the food court has 14+ outlets and over 1,000 seats (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)), open Sunday to Thursday 11:00 to 23:00 and to midnight on Friday and Saturday (Shopping Mariano (opens in a new tab)).
- With kids: there is a children's play area, useful on rainy or very hot days.
- Tip: check showtimes on the mall's website and pick an afternoon screening if you want to miss evening traffic.
La Rural Shopping and Paseo Alameda. The city's other hub: behind Paseo Alameda, next to La Rural, an open-air food park seats over 200 people (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); Infonegocios, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). Best on a summer evening.
The July Expo: the year's big event
The Expo runs every July at the Asociación Rural del Paraguay grounds during the winter school holidays. In 2026 it ran 11 to 26 July, with general entry at G. 25,000 and children up to 11 free. It had a funfair, livestock shows, night motocross in the central ring, the Expo Asador food area, and Saturday concerts (Néstor en Bloque, Wisin, Kchiporros closing) (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
- Note: big concerts are ticketed separately, by section.
- Tip: the Transchaco jams on Expo days. Walk if you live nearby; if you drive, park away from the main gate.
Concerts, games and events
The Polideportivo Dr. Alberto Marecos holds about 3,000 people and hosts futsal, basketball and volleyball, plus concerts and social events (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Follow the municipality and promoters on social media for the monthly line-up.
The city's big party is its anniversary on 30 August at Plaza Libertad. In 2024 there was a serenade with food stalls from 19:00, a mass at the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús parish, a music festival and a Karu Guasu (community barbecue) on 1 September (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). It is free.
Riverside lunch with music: Remanso
By the Remanso bridge in barrio San Rafael, eateries on the Paraguay River serve surubí fish soup, fish milanesas, stews and empanadas daily from 07:00 to 17:00 (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). Several have Paraguayan musicians playing polkas and ballads during lunch (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). In November 2024 dishes cost G. 20,000 to 40,000 (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
- When not to go: during the fishing ban (early November into December) there is no river fish; eateries reopen once it lifts (La Nación, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
Open air nearby: Ñu Guasu
Parque Ñu Guasu in Luque, on the way to Silvio Pettirossi airport (which borders Mariano), is free and has sports courts, playgrounds, a lagoon and a duck lake (Uber (opens in a new tab)). Usual hours are 05:00 to 21:30 (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). In summer, go early or after 17:00.
Getting there and back
Mariano Roque Alonso is about 18 km from Asunción (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), and almost everything sits on Ruta PY03 (ex Transchaco). Buses are slow: in May 2026 riders waited up to half an hour on the Transchaco even at rush hour (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). At night, use a ride-hailing app or a sober driver: the highway patrol has zero tolerance for alcohol (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)).
FAQ
Is there a cinema in Mariano Roque Alonso?
Yes, at Shopping Mariano on the old Transchaco road: four 200-seat screens with Dolby 7.1 sound and wheelchair access.
When is the Mariano Roque Alonso Expo?
Every July, during the winter school holidays, at the Asociación Rural del Paraguay grounds. In 2026 it ran 11 to 26 July with G. 25,000 general entry.
Where are concerts held in Mariano Roque Alonso?
At the July Expo and at the Polideportivo Dr. Alberto Marecos, which holds about 3,000 people. Check the municipality's social media for dates.
What is free to do in Mariano Roque Alonso?
The 30 August anniversary celebrations at Plaza Libertad and, a few minutes away, Parque Ñu Guasu, which has free entry.
