Public Holidays in Guatemala
Statutory public holidays in Guatemala, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Guatemala at a glance
Guatemala’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 15 September and the Revolution on 20 October, alongside Catholic feast days.
Several dates move with Easter, and Holy Week in Antigua is one of the most elaborate in the Americas.
Guatemala public holidays 2026
Guatemala has 11 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Maundy Thursday | Apr 2Thu | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Holy Saturday | Apr 4Sat | National |
| Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Army Day | Jun 29Mon | National |
| Assumption Day | Aug 15Sat | National |
| Independence Day | Sep 15Tue | National |
| Revolution Day | Oct 20Tue | National |
| All Saints' Day | Nov 1Sun | National |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
Showing 11 of 11 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Guatemala
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Guatemala.
Guatemala City
A sprawling capital of districts, museums and a seismic skyline.
Antigua
A colonial city of cobbles, ruins and churches beneath three volcanoes.
Quetzaltenango
The second city, a highland centre of markets and Spanish schools.
Flores
An island town on Lake Peten Itza, the gateway to Tikal.
Panajachel
A town on Lake Atitlan with volcanoes across the water.
Top attractions in Guatemala
The places that draw most visitors to Guatemala.
Tikal
A vast Maya city of pyramids rising above the rainforest canopy.
Antigua Guatemala
A baroque colonial city of ruined convents and volcano views.
Lake Atitlan
A deep caldera lake ringed by volcanoes and Maya villages.
Quirigua
A Maya site holding the tallest stone stelae in the New World.
Semuc Champey
A natural limestone bridge over a river of turquoise pools.
Chichicastenango Market
A highland market of textiles, masks and a church on the steps.
Festivals, food and getting around Guatemala
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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Maundy Thursday
Falls on Apr 2
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Good Friday
Falls on Apr 3
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Easter Saturday
Falls on Apr 4
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Easter Sunday
Falls on Apr 5
Food & drink
Getting around
Chicken buses are the cheap backbone; tourist shuttles and flights cover the longer routes.
Travelling around Guatemala’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Guatemala tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Guatemala's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Guatemala public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Guatemala have?
Guatemala has 11 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Guatemala is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Guatemala's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Guatemala typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Guatemala?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Guatemala?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Guatemala
School term dates in Guatemala
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.