Quetzaltenango Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Quetzaltenango / Xela, Western Highlands, Guatemala)

Guatemalan festivals are either traditional local gatherings, cultural events, religious affairs or massive national celebrations. Many public holidays are deeply rooted in ancient traditions and religious Mayan practices are often mixed with Catholic rituals and holidays in Quetzaltenango.

Parades, with or without images, are a must in Quetzaltenango, whatever the occasion, and groups of men are elected to this task, considered a major honour to them and their families. Over-consumption of the local brew is the norm, and a great time is had by all. Specific events worth looking out for include the Xela Music Festival at the end of March or the beginning of April, and the Feria de la Virgen del Rosario in late September or early October.

Quetzaltenango Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• New Year's Day (Ano Nuevo) - January 1st, a public holiday throughout Guatemala
• Rabinal Festival of San Pablo - famous all over Guatemala for performances of many unique traditional dances, staged annually between January 19th and 25th

February

• Candelaria - takes place in the Eastern Highlands town of San Pedro Pinula on the first day of the month and is the most traditional fiesta in the entire region. Expect a cultural treat, with Amerindian dance, costume music, food and entertainment

March

• Chajul - held on the second Friday in Lent, marked by huge pilgrimages to sacred sites across the country
• Easter Week / Holy Week (Semana Santa) - March / April, dates for this, the most important religious celebration of the year, vary according to the Christian calendar. Expect parades of images around the streets, family gatherings, masses, traditional events and much more, all over the country
• Xela Music Festival - late March / early April, arranged by the French Cultural institute, with local Guatemalan musicians performing at different venues around the city

April

• Secretary's Day - April 26th, held in order to recognise the work of administrative professionals, including secretaries, office administrators and receptionists

May

• Labour Day (Dia del Trabajo) - takes place on May 1st and is a favourite time for marches and protests, as well as being a national holiday
• Apparition of the Archangel Michael - May 8th, involves fireworks, a parade, traditional dances and music, and visits to local churches

June

• Patzun Corpus Christi - the town's claim to fame. Celebrated with diverse religious events and parades or images through brightly coloured arches, this is one of the most interesting religious fiestas in the country. Held every June, the exact date of Patzun Corpus Christi is variable

July

• Momostenango Festival - held from July 21st to August 4th, with July 25th a significant day in the Mayan religion. Expect Mayan religious rituals, costume, dance and celebrations.

August

• Coban Festival - two events rolled into one. The saint's day of Santo Domingo de Guzman becomes the National Festival of Folklore, featuring traditional Amerindian dances and music, taking place from August 3rd to 6th annually
• Assumption Day (Dia de la Asuncion) - August 15th, involving many of the local churches

September

• Independence Day (Dia de la Independencia) - September 15th, a public holiday throughout the country, remembering Guatemala's split from Spain in 1821, when it achieved independence
• Feria Titular de San Miguel - honours the saint's name day in San Miguel Totonicapan from September 24th to 30th, with parades, street festivities and masses in local churches
• Feria de la Virgen del Rosario (Feria Centroamericano de Independencia) - late September / early October, a major party staged each year at the fairground on the very outskirts of the city, as well as around the Parque Centro America, where brass bands perform to large crowds. There is also a popular Spanish language competition held during these festivities

October

• Festival Tradicional de Danza - all about San Miguel Totonicapan's masked dances, performed here on special occasions. This tradition is kept alive over a full weekend at the end of October. Check for exact dates as they may vary
• Festival of St. Francis of Assisi - held in Panajachel around October 4th, with a spectacular fireworks display, as well as street parties, music, food and drink
• Revolution Day - October 20th, the Dia de la Revolucion is a national holiday for everyone
• Columbus Day - Christopher Columbus is honoured throughout Latin America

November

• Todos Santos Festival (All Saints' Day) - runs in early November concurrently with the November 4th 'Day of the Dead' religious fiesta. Expect wild horse races, a great amount of drinking, street festivities, bull-riding and lots more

December

• Christmas (Navidad) - celebrated in Guatemala with midnight masses, family events, parades, street celebrations and much joy. Everyone is welcome to join in at this time
• Feast of Santos Innocentes - takes place between December 24th and 31st in Livingston, this is a quintessential Caribbean carnival, famous for its traditional dances