International Tango Day, celebrated each year on December 11, honours the rich cultural legacy of tango and its enduring influence around the world. The date marks the birthdays of two important figures in the genre: Carlos Gardel, whose unmistakable voice helped define tango song, and Julio de Caro, a pioneering violinist and orchestra leader who shaped tango’s instrumental style. Together, their contributions represent the expressive heart of tango - its poetry, virtuosity, and deep emotional resonance.

Today, International Tango Day is embraced globally, with concerts, milongas, workshops, and community events taking place from Buenos Aires to Europe and Oceania. The celebration reflects tango’s evolution from a local social tradition to a worldwide art form recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Since 2023, the AOTANGO Quintet has celebrated International Tango Day, providing an important opportunity to share the beauty and intensity of tango with diverse audiences and to strengthen the connection between New Zealand communities and one of the world’s most compelling musical traditions.