Festivals & events

32 celebrations through the year — pick a day to see what's on.

New Year's Day (1 January · All regions · National) — National holiday marking the start of the new year with celebrations throughout Guatemala.
Fiesta de Santiago Apóstol (20–26 July · Santiago Sacatepéquez · Western Highlands) — Colorful celebration in Santiago Sacatepéquez featuring giant kites (barriletes gigantes), processions, and traditional Mayan ceremonies ho…
Epiphany (Three Kings Day) (6 January · All regions · Central Highlands) — Celebration of the arrival of the Three Kings with parades, traditional rosca bread, and family gatherings across Guatemala.
Carnaval de Mazatenango (All February · Mazatenango · Pacific Coast) — Vibrant pre-Lenten carnival with parades, costumes, and street parties celebrating the end of summer season.
Fiesta de San Jerónimo (25–30 November · San Jerónimo · Baja Verapaz) — Indigenous celebration in Baja Verapaz featuring traditional dances, processions, and local crafts honoring the patron saint.
Feria de Jocotenango (15–20 August · Jocotenango · Central Highlands) — Annual fair featuring horse races, traditional food, and cultural events in this charming highland town.
Good Friday (Viernes Santo) (All April · All regions · National) — National holiday with solemn processions, particularly spectacular in Antigua Guatemala with purple-robed penitents and flower carpets.
Easter Sunday (All April · All regions · Central Highlands) — Religious celebration marking the resurrection of Jesus with church services and family celebrations throughout the country.
Labor Day (1 May · All regions · National) — National public holiday honoring workers with parades and gatherings throughout Guatemala.
Fiesta de San Felipe Apóstol (1–10 November · Livingston · Izabal) — Lakeside celebration in Livingston featuring boat races, music, and local Garifuna culture honoring the patron saint.
Corpus Christi (All May · All regions · Central Highlands) — Religious holiday with processions and celebrations, particularly vibrant in Chichicastenango and other highland towns.
Sacred Heart of Jesus (Sagrado Corazón) (All June · All regions · Central Highlands) — Religious celebration with masses and processions honoring the Sacred Heart throughout Guatemala.
Assumption of Mary (15 August · All regions · Central Highlands) — National religious holiday celebrating Mary's assumption into heaven with church services and family gatherings.
Fiesta Patronal de Santiago Apóstol (20–26 July · Chiquimula · Oriente) — Regional celebration in the eastern highlands featuring traditional dances, fireworks, and processions honoring Saint James.
Kite Festival (Festival de Barriletes Gigantes) (1–2 November · Santiago Sacatepéquez · Western Highlands) — Famous celebration in Santiago Sacatepéquez where giant colorful kites are flown to communicate with deceased ancestors.
All Saints' Day (1 November · All regions · National) — National holiday honoring deceased loved ones with cemetery visits, flowers, and family gatherings throughout Guatemala.
Fiesta de Todos Santos Cuchumatán (1–2 November · Todos Santos Cuchumatán · Western Highlands) — Spectacular highland celebration featuring colorful horse racing, traditional costumes, and indigenous ceremonies in this remote Mam Maya v…
Independence Day (15 September · All regions · National) — National public holiday celebrating Guatemala's independence from Spain with parades, flag ceremonies, and cultural events.
Fiesta de San Andrés Xecul (25–30 November · San Andrés Xecul · Western Highlands) — Highland celebration featuring traditional K'iche' Maya ceremonies, processions, and colorful markets honoring the patron saint.
Fiesta de San Tomás Chichicastenango (13–21 December · Chichicastenango · Western Highlands) — One of Guatemala's most famous indigenous celebrations blending Mayan and Catholic traditions with processions, copal burning, and vibrant…
Christmas Day (25 December · All regions · National) — National public holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ with family gatherings, church services, and holiday traditions.
Fiesta de Santo Tomás (15–21 December · Cobán · Alta Verapaz) — Q'eqchi' Maya celebration featuring traditional dances, processions, and indigenous ceremonies in this culturally rich region.
Posadas (16–24 December · All regions · Central Highlands) — Traditional nine-day celebration reenacting Mary and Joseph's search for lodging before Jesus's birth with processions and gatherings.
Fiesta de San Sebastián (17–22 January · Retalhuleu · Pacific Coast) — Colorful celebration in Retalhuleu with parades, traditional food, and cultural activities honoring the patron saint.
Carnival of Chimaltenango (All February · Chimaltenango · Central Highlands) — Highland carnival celebration featuring indigenous dancers, traditional costumes, and street parades in this charming town.
Lent Season Market Fairs (All March · Various highland towns · Western Highlands) — Various highland towns hold market fairs and religious celebrations throughout the Lenten season.
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Preparations (All October · All regions · Central Highlands) — October celebrations beginning the season of honoring the deceased with altars, flower preparations, and traditional pan de muerto baking.
Fiesta de San Juan Bautista (20–25 June · San Juan · Petén) — Jungle town celebration in San Juan featuring agricultural blessing ceremonies, processions, and traditional Petén cuisine.
Poptún Fiesta (13–18 August · Poptún · Petén) — Northern Petén celebration featuring rodeos, traditional music, and cultural activities in this agricultural town.
Garifuna Settlement Day (19 November · All regions · Izabal) — National celebration honoring the arrival of Garifuna people to the Caribbean coast with reenactments, drumming, and Garifuna culture.
Corn Festival (Feria del Maíz) (All April · Various regions · Central Highlands) — Agricultural celebration honoring corn, Guatemala's most important crop, with traditional food, crafts, and market activities.
Fiesta de San Antonio de Padua (10–15 June · Jalapa · Southeastern Guatemala) — Southeast celebration with processions, traditional dances, and market fairs honoring Saint Anthony of Padua.