Celebrating The Holiday Season in Guatemala
The holiday season is one of the most magical times of the year! From late November through early January, there’s a certain charm in the air enhanced by colorful displays, festive cheer, and community gatherings.
In Guatemala, Indigenous and religious traditions blend together in vibrant celebrations. The Christmas season is full of tasty food, cultural festivities, and holiday traditions.
The scents of Christmas fill the air with fresh decorations and holiday garlands made of poinsettias, Gallitos (air plants), orchids, fresh cut chamomile, and pine moss.
Join us in this Naturally Smart Travel post as we delve into celebrating the holiday season in Guatemala. So, if you’re planning a visit in December or January, here’s what you can expect!
Celebrating The Holidays in Guatemala
The holiday season is a time for giving and gathering. In the spirit of good, there are donation drives for food, toys, and clothes to support those in need.
Guatemala has long standing traditions centered around family. Homes and businesses are decorated with festive plants, nativity scenes (nacimientos), and vibrant Poinsettias (flor de Nochebuena) which are native to Guatemala.
There are midnight masses, traditional Christmas carols (villancicos), and fireworks that light up the night sky. Some families incorporate Mayan rituals to honor their ancestors during their celebrations through traditional dances, lighting candles, and offerings to the earth.
Here are some of the festive traditions and celebrations that you’ll find when visiting Guatemala during the holiday season.
La Quema del Diablo: The Burning of the Devil
December 7th kicks off the beginning of the Christmas season with a sort of cleansing ritual, La Quema del Diablo or The Burning of the Devil. This tradition usually includes burning effigies of the devil alongside various forms of trash in order to release the old and welcome in the new.
This purification of the community and the home is believed to remove evil spirits and dispel negative energy. Oftentimes a piñata of the devil, paper, old things, and rubbish are tossed into the bonfire because the devil could be lurking around in old and unwanted items. Street vendors sell devils and fireworks for these fun festivities.
Recently, there’s been a movement to halt this tradition because of the pollution, smoke, and injuries it creates, especially in highly concentrated areas like Guatemala City.
Guatemalan Christmas Celebrations
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are full of magic in Guatemala. If you’re in the country during this time, you’re in luck! The celebrations blend traditional and Indigenous customs from decorating trees with handmade ornaments and Christmas posadas to delicious local cuisine and midnight masses.
Las Posadas: The Christmas Inns
Las Posadas is a common Latin American tradition commemorating Mary and Joseph's search for shelter. These Christmas Posadas bring together neighborhoods, communities, and families.
From December 16th to the 24th, people get together for small processions as they walk together in the streets. The younger generation carry images of Mary and Joseph and adults hold colored paper lanterns.
The songs of the posadas are beautiful, charming, and similar to Christmas carols. They recount stories of Joseph, Mary, and the birth of Jesus. During these processions, they ask for shelter from various houses in which the “innkeepers” deny them. Until the 9th night when they are welcomed inside for a festive celebration.
Once everyone enters the host's home, there is delicious traditional Guatemalan foods like steaming Chuchitos, tamales colorado, and hot cups of atol de elote or Ponche Navidad.
Noche Buena: Christmas Eve
In Guatemala, the most important celebrations happen on December 24th! Extended families and friends come together for a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner and opening presents. The tasty cuisine includes Christmas punch, tamales, bacalao (salted cod), and ensalada de pasta (pasta salad).
A special Misa de Gallo or midnight mass takes place. Afterward, to celebrate the birth of Jesus, fireworks light the sky and firecrackers sparkle in the streets.
On Christmas Day, it’s common to gather with extended family and friends for further festivities and exchanging of gifts. December 25th is a quieter day of celebration compared to Noche Buena, but it’s still time with family and good cheer.
Nacimientos: Nativity Scenes
The beautiful and artistic nativity scenes in Guatemala are made by families or even entire villages. Many of the supplies for the scenes like colored sawdust, gallitos (air plants), moss, fresh pine, cypress leaves, and manzanilla garlands can be collected at the local Christmas Markets.
It’s common for Mary, Joseph, the three wise men, and baby Jesus to be made from clay and dressed in traditional Mayan clothing.
Tasty Guatemalan Foods
Tamales - this classic dish is made with corn that’s stuffed with vegetables, meats, and sometimes chiles. It’s wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. The tasty variations include paches (potato tamales), sweet black tamales, and the most popular Christmas dish, tamales colorado.
Chuchitos - One of the most popular dishes is this small tamale filled with pork or chicken and a tomato-based recado (sauce).
Ponche de Frutas - Served hot and cold, this fruit punch is made with dried fruits like apples, raisins, papayas, and pineapples. The fruits are cooked with sugar and cinnamon making a tasty Christmas drink.
Rellenitos de Plátano- This sweet treat is made from plantains stuffed with black beans and sugar.
Rosca de Reyes- The King’s Cake is often baked with a little figurine hidden inside.
Guatemalan Christmas Markets
A charming Christmas Market can really put you in the holiday spirit with festive decorations, handmade crafts, and traditional foods.
Shop for or admire the handcrafted Christmas decorations like ceramic angels, wooden ornaments, and vibrant nacimientos (nativity scenes). There are natural pine trees for sale as well as wreaths, lights, and garlands for festive decorating.
Celebrate the holiday spirit with tourists and locals alike in this lively atmosphere with Christmas lights and delicious foods. Although there are several markets to enjoy, here are some of our favorites!
Mercado Central - Guatemala City
This is one of the largest and most iconic Christmas markets in the country with vibrant nativity scenes and goods made from local artisans. Check out the wooden crafts, pottery, and handwoven textiles. Eat some tamales and wash them down with some tasty Ponche de Frutas (fruit punch).
Mercado de Artesanías - Antigua
This popular tourist destination is especially festive during the Christmas season. Located near the central park, this market is filled with decorations, handmade gifts, and traditional Guatemalan crafts. The colorful stalls give the market a lively atmosphere and the city’s colonial architecture adding to the charm during the holiday season.
Plaza Mayor – Quetzaltenango (Xela)
The lovely market in Quetzaltenango, otherwise known as Xela, is a popular market in the western Highlands. The square is filled with stalls selling local pottery, textiles, and Mayan masks. Try some ensalada de pasta and hot punch while enjoying the colonial architecture and festive atmosphere.
Mercado de Chichicastenango
Located in the highlands, this is one of the most famous and colorful markets in the country. This year-round market becomes extra festive during the holiday season. Shop for nacimentos (nativity scenes), vibrant clothing, wooden masks, and colorful woven rugs. Enjoy the rich atmosphere at this authentic Guatemalan market while eating tamales and sipping on atol de elote.
Año Nuevo: New Years Eve in Guatemala
Much like the rest of the world, December 31st is an evening of celebrations with family and friends. There are gatherings, parties, and fireworks.
Typically, there’s a large dinner followed by counting down to the New Year. A popular custom is Quema de los Año Viejo, the burning of the old year. Effigies that represent the past year are burned in a symbolic gesture to let go of the past, misfortunes, and negative experiences. It’s a magical way to welcome in the new year!
Dia de Los Reyes: Three Kings Day
On January 6th, Three Kings Day or Dia de Los Reyes is celebrated to honor the three shepherds that visited baby Jesus. In Guatemala, it’s like a bonus Christmas morning!
On January 5th, children put their shoes next to the nativity scene or the tree to let The Magi know where to leave presents. The next morning, the kids wake up and open the gifts left by the three kings.
During the day there are parades, processions, and street festivals. Families share a brunch or a merienda (an afternoon snack) and eat the traditional Rosca de Reyes (King’s cake).
Thanks for Reading Our Guide to Celebrating the Holiday Season in Guatemala
We hope you enjoyed this article on celebrating the holidays in Guatemala. While it’s always great to visit the country, Christmas and New Year’s are particularly festive times of the year!
During the holiday season you can enjoy a magical blend of religious devotion, Mayan beliefs, and family traditions. Festive fireworks light up the sky, music fills the streets, and there’s tasty food to enjoy!
If you’re dreaming of visiting Guatemala but are unsure of where to start, please join us on a curated tour! Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Wishing you a very Happy Holidays!
