Guatemala shares many holidays with the U.S. and the rest of the world. The vibrant and diverse cultural heritage of Guatemala makes for some incredible and colorful holidays and festivals. Help us
National traditions, public holidays and notable observances for 2025-2026 year
Friday 15 August - Feast day of the Assumption of Mary (Christian feast day, one of the Catholic holy days of obligation a public holiday in Austria, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia, Burundi, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Togo, and Vanuatu)
Saturday 1 November - All Saints' Day a holy day of obligation (a national holiday in many historically Catholic countries. And its related observance: Day of the Innocents, The first day of Day of the Dead or El Dia de los Muertos celebration. - Mexico, Haiti)
Guatemalan traditions and customs, perhaps only locals will understand.
Guatemala is a country that’s steeped in rich traditional cultures, from the ancient Maya to the Garifuna that live in settlements along its coast.
Some festivals are small and unique to a village, while others are commemorated across the entire country. Every village in Guatemala celebrates their own Patron Saint.
Food also plays an important role in most Guatemalan celebrations. Corn features prominently in Guatemalan cuisine. Tamales are a beloved, traditional Guatemalan food. They come in many varieties,. The dough is stuffed with a featured ingredient, such as meat or vegetables. Guatemalan tamales are usually wrapped in a special green leaf called maxan.