La Quema del Diablo in Antigua Guatemala is one of the most unique Guatemalan traditions and one of the most unforgettable festivals you can experience in December. If you are traveling to Guatemala in December and want to see a cultural event that blends community, history, fire, humor, and deep symbolism, this is it. Even though I grew up celebrating La Quema del Diablo in Guatemala City, experiencing it in Antigua feels very different. The colonial streets, the crowds gathered in front of old churches, the smell of pine and street food in the air, and the sound of firecrackers echoing against centuries-old walls create a setting you will not find anywhere else in the world.
Every year on December 7 at exactly six in the evening, Antigua lights up as neighbors and visitors gather to burn the devil. The tradition marks the beginning of the holiday season and leads into the celebration of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. If you want to witness one of the most must see Guatemalan traditions, Antigua is the perfect place.
This guide blends my personal experiences with practical tips so you know exactly what to expect. It includes dates, location, schedule, safety advice, alternatives for families and travelers who prefer smoke-free options, and insights that only locals tend to know. It also connects you to my other writings on this tradition, including where to find photos of La Quema del Diablo, the cultural meaning behind it, and how Guatemalans celebrate Christmas all month long.
What Is Quema del Diablo Antigua Guatemala
The Quema del Diablo in Antigua Guatemala is the local version of the Burning of the Devil, a Guatemalan tradition that takes place every December 7. Families and communities burn a devil figure or devil piñata to symbolically clean the home and the heart. It is believed that fire removes negativity and prepares the way for the celebrations that follow, especially the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
In Antigua, the celebration is larger, more theatrical, and more organized than what you see in other towns or neighborhoods. The Barrio de la Concepción has preserved this event for more than three decades, and every year the community builds a giant devil figure that becomes the center of the celebration.
What makes the Antigua version special is the atmosphere. You are surrounded by old stone walls, colonial archways, and flickering lights. Musicians play. Street vendors sell tostadas, buñuelos, and atol de elote. Children wave sparklers. Firecrackers pop and metralletas rattle loudly through the cobblestone streets. If you are looking for unique Guatemalan traditions that feel alive and full of personality, this is one of them.
If you want to understand how this celebration has changed over time, you can read why many see it as part of a dying Guatemalan tradition, even though it continues to evolve in places like Antigua.
Dates and Schedule for Quema del Diablo Antigua Guatemala
The event always takes place o h activities beginning early in the day and building up to the burning at six in the evening.
Each year the community adds new details, so I update the information yearly. Below is the schedule for the most recent celebration. You can use this as a guide and check back next year when I update the article with the new details.
December 6 Activities
10:00 Velación of the patrona Inmaculada Concepción at Fuente Las Delicias
12:00 Firecracker and pólvora celebration
17:00 Community recognitions at Porta Hotel Antigua
19:00 Music and refreshments
December 7: Main Celebration
9:00 Velación continues
12:00 Kermés with traditional Guatemalan food and another pólvora celebration
13:00 Sale of traditional dishes by local artisans
15:00 Afternoon concert
17:45 Reading of the devil’s testamento
18:00 Traditional Quema del Diablo
18:15 Evening concert
23:00 End of festivities with more firecrackers
December 8: Immaculate Conception
20:00 Serenata for the Virgin and community gathering
Procession, food stalls, and cultural activities throughout the evening
Everything takes place in Barrio La Concepción, one of the most historic neighborhoods in Antigua.
If you want to see more December events during your visit, you can explore Antigua festivals and celebrations which include posadas, processions, street markets, and other Guatemalan festivals in December.
The History Behind Quema del Diablo Antigua Guatemala
This tradition began during colonial times as a simple household practice. Before electricity, homes were lit with candles and oil lamps that left soot behind. Families cleaned their homes in early December and burned the collected dust, scraps, and paper outside. Over time, the burning became symbolic. Fire represented cleansing. The devil figure was added later, turning the act into a way to cast away negativity and invite the holiday spirit.
In Antigua, the event grew into a community celebration. By the late 19th century, families competed to see who could build the tallest fogata using dried branches like chirivisco. Children set off cohetillos while neighbors watched the flames rise. Decades later, the community of La Concepción formalized the event, creating the giant devil that is still burned today. The devil is different every year and is usually made of wood, unlike the piñata devils that mos households burn.
If you want to understand how the tradition has deep cultural roots, you can read more about the history of la Quema del Diablo in Guatemala here.
What To Expect at Quema del Diablo in Antigua Guatemala
If you have never attended a cultural event like this, here is what it feels like from someone who grew up celebrating it:
The sky starts to darken around 5:30 and the air cools. Vendors light small lanterns near their food stands. The smell of pine needles mixes with smoke from early firecrackers. People begin gathering in front of the church and the streets fill with families, tourists, and photographers.
Sparklers flicker everywhere. Firecrackers crack and pop in unpredictable bursts. Metralletas create long rattling chains of sound that echo across the stone walls. Instead of fireworks lighting up the sky, most of the action stays on the ground. Volcanos glow and hiss. Silbadores whistle as they jump across the cobblestones. The sensory mix is intense but exciting.
Then the giant devil comes into focus. Each year the design is different. Sometimes it looks mischievous. Sometimes angry. Sometimes funny. One year it even resembled a political figure with pointy devil ears, which always gets a reaction from the crowd. Another year the devil was inspired by the three wise monkeys, each face representing a different way people ignore the problems in the world.
At exactly six, the atmosphere shifts. The noise quiets for a moment. A match is lit. The flames catch quickly, climbing up the devil’s legs and spreading across the body. The crowd cheers as sparks float up into the night sky. Children jump and clap. Adults smile and take photos. It is a shared moment of release, celebration, and connection.
Modern Changes and Environmental Concerns
Not everyone burns the devil anymore. Over the last decade, environmental conversations have influenced how Guatemalans celebrate. Burning trash creates smoke that affects air quality. Some municipalities discourage burning anything that produces heavy smoke. Because of this, more people look for symbolic alternatives that still honor the tradition.
In Antigua you will see families:
- Lighting candles at six in the evening
- Breaking a devil piñata filled with candy
- Using small controlled fire pits instead of large piles
These options are popular with families traveling with children, people with asthma, and visitors who prefer a smoke-free experience. They still capture the feeling of the tradition without creating a large fire.
If you are traveling to Guatemala in December and want to participate without smoke, these symbolic alternatives are meaningful and welcomed.
Is Quema del Diablo Antigua Guatemala Safe for Tourists
Yes, as long as you follow basic safety tips. Antigua keeps the fire controlled and supervised by volunteers and sometimes firefighters. But like any event that involves firecrackers and crowds, you should stay alert.
Here is what I recommend:
- Stand back at least several feet from the burning area
- Watch where you step because firecrackers may pop near your feet
- Wear closed-toe shoes
- Keep children close
- Protect dogs from the noise
Antigua can get very crowded, so arrive early if you want a good viewing spot. If you prefer a less intense experience, stay near the edges of the crowd where the noise level is lower.
Where the Giant Devil Comes From
Each year a local artisan builds the giant devil. For the latest celebration, the artist created a design inspired by the three wise monkeys, symbolizing the idea of not seeing, hearing, or speaking evil. The message was playful but also powerful. Many years the designs reflect current events or frustrations in the country. Political devils are common. In the past there were devils resembling the Guatemalan president or even international figures like Trump, complete with exaggerated hair or horns.
In Guatemala City you can find devil piñatas everywhere during this season, especially near Parque Colón. Small devils cost around Q20 and large six foot devils can reach Q1800.
Why You Should Add This to Your December Trip
If you are looking for Guatemalan festivals in December that feel authentic and full of energy, Quema del Diablo should be at the top of your list. It is a must see Guatemalan tradition and a chance to witness how communities come together during the holidays.
Here is why it stands out if you are traveling to Guatemala in December:
It happens only once a year
It is rooted in centuries of history
It is lively, colorful, and full of emotion
It shows a different side of Antigua beyond the tourist areas
It blends humor, tradition, and creativity
It gives you a glimpse of local community life
After the burning, you can walk the streets and enjoy food stalls, music, and the buildup to the December 8 celebrations. It is one of the best ways to start the Christmas season in Guatemala.
Travel Tips for Experiencing Quema del Diablo Antigua Guatemala
- Arrive early. Crowds grow fast.
- Stay hydrated. Even in December the evenings can feel warm near large groups of people.
- Bring a light jacket. Antigua cools down at night.
- Use a cross-body bag. It keeps your hands free for photos.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will stand for long periods.
- Keep your phone charged. You will want photos and videos.
- Learn a little about the tradition before going. It helps you connect to the meaning.
You can prepare by reading my Antigua Guatemala travel tips, which cover useful details like transportation, safety, and the best places to stay.
How Quema del Diablo Fits Into the Holiday Season
December in Guatemala is full of celebrations. If you want to understand where this event fits into the bigger picture, here is the flow of the season:
- December 1 to 6: Advent begins and homes start placing nacimientos
- December 7: Quema del Diablo
- December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- December 12 to 24: Posadas
- December 24 and 25: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
- December 31: New Year fireworks and celebrations
If you want a full overview of how Guatemalans celebrate the holidays, explore my article about Guatemalan Christmas traditions.
For me, attending Quema del Diablo Antigua Guatemala feels both familiar and new. I grew up watching small neighborhood flames rise into the December sky, but standing in the middle of Antigua and watching a giant hand-painted devil burst into fire is something else. It is louder, brighter, and more theatrical. But the heart of the tradition remains the same. It feels like the whole community is letting go of something together.
If you want to feel part of Antigua for one night, if you want to experience one of the most unique Guatemalan traditions, and if you want to start your December trip with something unforgettable, then this is a celebration you should not miss.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
- Quema del Diablo in Antigua Guatemala: Dates, Schedule, and What To Know Before You Go - December 5, 2025
- La Quema del Diablo: The History and Meaning Behind Guatemala’s Burning of the Devil - December 4, 2025
- Easy Guatemalan Flag Crafts for Kids - September 14, 2025
