Ferias de Guatemala 2026 — Calendar & Map

The complete calendar of patron saint festivals (fiestas patronales) across all 340 municipalities in Guatemala. Every town celebrates its patron saint with carnival rides, traditional food, music, and local traditions that have endured for centuries.

Loading data...
--
Ferias
--
Departments
--
Upcoming
Loading ferias...

Ferias by Month — 2026

Click any month to filter

Guatemala’s Festival Tradition

Every municipality in Guatemala celebrates its feria titular (patron saint festival) — an annual tradition dating back to the Spanish colonial era when Catholic missionaries assigned patron saints to each town. Today, these festivals blend Catholic traditions with indigenous Maya customs, creating unique cultural celebrations across the country.

What to Expect at a Feria

A typical Guatemalan feria includes:

  • Religious processions (procesiones) carrying the patron saint’s image through town streets
  • Carnival rides (juegos mecanicos) — Ferris wheels, bumper cars, and spinning rides that travel from town to town
  • Live music — marimba bands, local musicians, and sometimes national artists
  • Traditional food stalls lining the streets and central park
  • Fireworks (cohetes and toritos) — including the famous “torito” fire bull
  • Jaripeos (bull riding) in many rural municipalities
  • Cultural events — beauty queens, traditional dances (baile de moros, convite), and local sports tournaments

Planning Your Visit

The best ferias to experience as a visitor are those in larger towns with good infrastructure. The main day (dia principal) is the most festive but also the most crowded. Consider arriving a day or two before for a more relaxed experience while still catching the buildup of excitement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ferias patronales (patron saint festivals) are annual celebrations held in every municipality in Guatemala to honor their patron saint. They typically feature carnival rides, traditional food, live music (marimba), religious processions, fireworks, and cultural events. Each of Guatemala's 340 municipalities has its own feria titular on a specific date tied to their patron saint's feast day.
The Feria de Jocotenango (August 15) near Antigua Guatemala is one of the largest and most famous ferias. Guatemala City's Feria de la Asuncion (August 15) is also major. In terms of duration and cultural significance, the Fiesta de Santo Tomas in Chichicastenango (December 13-21) is world-renowned. The Rabin Ajau festival in Coban (late July) celebrates Q'eqchi' Maya culture.
Most ferias last between 3 and 8 days, centered around the patron saint's feast day. Smaller municipalities may celebrate for just 2-3 days, while larger towns and departmental capitals can have festivities lasting a week or more. The main day (dia principal) is always the patron saint's actual feast day.
Ferias are generally safe and a wonderful cultural experience. Stick to the main festival areas, keep valuables secure, and go with a local guide if possible. The atmosphere is family-friendly during the day. Major ferias like Chichicastenango, Rabin Ajau, and Jocotenango attract many tourists alongside locals.
Guatemala City's patron saint is the Virgen de la Asuncion (Our Lady of the Assumption), celebrated on August 15. This date is a national holiday and the capital's main feria includes concerts, cultural events, and the traditional 'Desfile Bufo' satirical parade by university students.
Common feria foods include: tostadas, chuchitos (similar to tamales), elotes locos (crazy corn with mayo and hot sauce), algodones de azucar (cotton candy), churros, atol de elote (sweet corn drink), platanos fritos, and manzanas en miel (candied apples). Each region has specialties — Coban offers kaq ik (turkey soup), coastal areas serve fresh seafood ceviches.