Carnival Tuesday falls on February 9, 2027, the day before Ash Wednesday, February 10. For visitors, the essential distinction is that a calendar date does not confirm a parade, school celebration or public event: check the local organiser’s dated announcement before arranging your trip.
Key dates 2027 (checked 23 October 2026)
| Occasion | Date | Source and scope |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Tuesday | February 9, 2027 | USCCB calendar, applying the Ministry of Culture’s rule for the Mazatenango carnival (Tuesday before Ash Wednesday); calendar alignment, not an event announcement |
| Ash Wednesday | February 10, 2027 | USCCB calendar |
| First Sunday of Lent | February 14, 2027 | USCCB calendar |
| Palm Sunday | March 21, 2027 | USCCB calendar |
| Holy Thursday | March 25, 2027 | USCCB calendar |
| Good Friday | March 26, 2027 | USCCB calendar |
| Easter Sunday | March 28, 2027 | USCCB calendar |
| Ascension, Thursday observance | May 6, 2027 | USCCB calendar; not confirmation of a Guatemalan event or civil holiday |
No dated 2027 programme was found for Mazatenango, Antigua, Xela or Guatemala City: not announced as of 23 October 2026.
Quick summary: Use February 9 as the Carnival calendar date, then verify the celebration you actually intend to attend. Cascarones are painted eggshells filled with cut paper or confetti; a local programme still needs its own confirmation.
Cascarones: what the tradition uses
Prensa Libre’s explanation describes empty eggshells that are painted and filled with cut paper or confetti. That description identifies the material and filling; it does not establish a price, sales location or participation rule for a particular celebration.
For a school or town event, check who is organising it, where it takes place and whether visitors may participate. Confirm the organiser’s instructions before bringing materials or joining an activity.
What happened in 2026
In Mazatenango, the municipality cancelled the 2026 carnival (La Hora, 20 January 2026).
Prensa Libre published its explanation of cascarones on February 10, 2026. This was an explanation of the tradition, rather than a dated local event programme that visitors can reuse for 2027.
Planning a visit
Choose a specific celebration before booking around Carnival. A date on the religious calendar does not establish an entry fee, starting time, route, parking arrangement or road closure.
Mazatenango’s carnival, which the Ministry of Culture describes as a week-long celebration with the Desfile de las Comparsas on Carnival Tuesday, has its own page: Mazatenango Carnival.
For the processions that follow Ash Wednesday, see Lent processions in Antigua 2027.
Sources
- USCCB liturgical calendar — checked 23 October 2026; calendar dates, not Guatemalan civil holiday law.
- Ministry of Culture: Carnaval de Mazatenango — checked 23 October 2026; recurring description, not a dated municipal programme.
- Prensa Libre: cascarones in Guatemala — checked 23 October 2026.
- La Hora: Mazatenango 2026 carnival cancelled, 20 January 2026 — checked 23 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Carnival Tuesday in Guatemala in 2027?
Tuesday, February 9, 2027, the day before Ash Wednesday. This calendar date does not confirm a local event programme.
What are cascarones?
Prensa Libre describes them as empty eggshells that are painted and filled with cut paper or confetti.
Does the Carnival date confirm events in Antigua, Xela or Guatemala City?
No. Check the local organiser’s dated announcement before planning around a parade, school celebration or public event.
When does Lent begin in 2027?
Ash Wednesday falls on February 10, 2027, according to the USCCB liturgical calendar.
Can a past Carnival programme be used to plan for 2027?
A past programme cannot confirm future times, routes, prices or closures. Verify the announcement for the edition you want to attend.
