Guatemala is home to a number of colourful, exciting festivals that take place throughout the year to commemorate or celebrate certain occasions. Central America oozes tradition and has a long, fascinating history that is made visible in the diverse array of festivals that range from expressing the history of Mayan people, to celebrating the ever-important coffee harvest. If you happen to be travelling through Guatemala during one of these festivals, I highly recommend you make a pit-stop to explore deeper into the culture and to have fun with the locals whilst you’re at it!
Coffee Harvest Celebration (February)
In early February, Guatemala sees an exciting two day festival take place in Fraijanes, just outside Guatemala City. The celebration creates a vibrant crescendo in the sleepy town as the celebrations, which begin with the procession of the Virgen de Candelaria and finish with the celebration of El Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, take place. You can expect to experience an abundance of fine food, traditional music and, of course, copious amounts of coffee drinking.
Folkloric Festival of Rabinal Ajau (July)
This historic festival takes place in Coban and exemplifies the traditional culture of the Kekchis Indians. Hailed as the most impressive festival dedicated to Indian traditions in Guatemala, you can expect to witness dances and performances carried out by the indigenous Kekchis who don their traditional costumes. For most, the highlight of this festival is the election of Princess Tesulutlan, which is accompanied by long-established dances, costumes, marimba songs, and first-hand encounters of the fascinating Mayan culture.
Day of the Dead Kite Festival (November)
October the 31st and November the 1st see families across Central America gather to honour the relatives that are not longer with them. Traditionally, flowers and candles are placed around graves and the families enjoy a big meal to celebrate and remember the dead. Sumpango, Guatemala, sees anther traditional event that takes place at this time of year, though; an annual kite festival that takes places on November 1st (All Saints Day). The kites are designed and created in the months building up to the festival before they are flown on the sacred hill just outside of the town that overlooks the main cemetery.
Burning the Devil Celebrations (December)
On December 7th each year, Guatemalan locals gather rubbish and odd-bits from their houses to burn at precisely 6pm outside their homes in the burning of the devil celebrations. The tradition is particularly important in Guatemala City because it is closely associated with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which honours the patron saint of the city. The origins of the festival have been traced back to colonial times where lighting lanterns or bonfires to mark special occasions was a regular occurrence.
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