National Marimba Day in Guatemala falls on Saturday, February 20, 2027. If you are travelling to hear live marimba, the annual date is established by law, but a concert visit depends on the organiser’s programme. The Plaza de la Constitución gala described below belongs to 2026.
Key dates 2027 (checked 23 October 2026)
| Date or announcement | What visitors can confirm | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, February 20, 2027 | Día de la Marimba: the annual observance established for February 20 | Decreto 66-78 |
| Official 2027 programme | Not announced as of 23 October 2026 within the official sources checked | Ministry search for marimba 2027 |
Quick summary: 2027 date: Saturday, February 20. Legal basis: Decreto 66-78 establishes the annual day and declares the marimba the national instrument. 2026 gala: Plaza de la Constitución, hosted by the Marimba Femenina de Concierto, from nine in the morning until five in the afternoon. Those venue and time details describe 2026.
Why February 20? The legal basis
Decreto 66-78 declares the marimba Instrumento Nacional (national instrument) and establishes February 20 each year as Día de la Marimba (Marimba Day). The annual legal date supports the observance in 2027; it does not set a concert venue or timetable.
The Ministry of Culture and Sports statement distinguishes that declaration from the marimba’s later recognition as Símbolo Nacional (national symbol), which it attributes to Decreto 31-99. These are separate recognitions: the annual date comes from Decreto 66-78.
What happened in 2026
The ministry’s announcement, published on February 19, 2026, set out the gala for February 20, 2026, at Plaza de la Constitución. It named the Marimba Femenina de Concierto Ixoquib’ Ajq’ojomab as host. All times and performers in this section belong to that 2026 announcement.
For a visitor, the useful details were the place and the duration: the 2026 opening was at nine in the morning, and the celebration was scheduled to continue until five in the afternoon. The opening ceremony included Rudy Solares Galvez’s poem La marimba.
| Stage of the announced 2026 programme | Performers and format |
|---|---|
| Opening musical ensemble | Cuarteto de cuerdas Primavera, Quinteto de viento-madera Xocomil and the host Marimba Femenina de Concierto; two melodies |
| First invited block | Marimba del Conservatorio Nacional de Música Germán Alcántara, Marimba del Inguat and Marimba Guatemala del Ballet Moderno y Folklórico; individual performances followed by a joint ensemble |
| Second invited block | Marimba Maderas de mi Tierra, Marimba Trigales de Tecpán and Escuela Elemental de Música Elías García; individual performances followed by a joint ensemble |
| Penultimate block | Marimba Teclas de Oro del Ministerio de Finanzas Públicas and Marimba del colegio católico San Pablo; individual performances followed by a joint ensemble |
| Closing block | Marimba Reina Municipal de Villa Nueva and the host Marimba Femenina de Concierto; individual performances followed by a joint ensemble |
The announced musical styles were sones, foxtrots, guarimbas, cumbias and waltzes. The programme combined individual groups with joint performances. Source: official 2026 programme.
Where to hear marimba: planning a visit
Plaza de la Constitución is the documented venue for the 2026 gala. Its nine-in-the-morning opening and five-in-the-afternoon finish describe that past event; check the ministry’s next announcement before planning a 2027 arrival.
The official programme, checked 23 October 2026, does not state an entry fee, accessibility arrangements, transport or parking rules. Do not treat that silence as confirmation of free entry or available visitor facilities.
The Conservatorio ensemble’s participation was part of the Plaza programme; it does not establish a separate concert at the Conservatorio. For other events during your visit, see the Guatemala events calendar and Guatemala concert guide, then confirm each organiser’s details.
Sources
- Decreto 66-78: national instrument and annual Marimba Day — checked 23 October 2026.
- Ministry statement: national instrument and national symbol — checked 23 October 2026.
- Ministry of Culture and Sports: official 2026 gala programme — checked 23 October 2026.
- Ministry search for marimba 2027 — checked 23 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Marimba Day in Guatemala in 2027?
Saturday, February 20, 2027. Decreto 66-78 establishes February 20 as Día de la Marimba each year.
Has the official 2027 programme been announced?
Not announced as of October 23, 2026 within the Ministry of Culture and Sports sources checked. The 2026 venue and times are historical information.
Which decree establishes Marimba Day?
Decreto 66-78 establishes the annual date and declares the marimba Instrumento Nacional. The ministry attributes its later recognition as Símbolo Nacional to Decreto 31-99.
Where was the official 2026 gala scheduled?
At Plaza de la Constitución, hosted by the Marimba Femenina de Concierto. The announced 2026 programme started at nine in the morning and ran until five in the afternoon.
Can I use the 2026 gala schedule to plan a 2027 visit?
Use it as background only. Check the ministry’s announcement before choosing a venue or arrival time for 2027; the past programme does not confirm a repeat.
