Semana Santa in Antigua Guatemala 2026: All You Need To Know About Holy Week Traditions From a Local

What to Expect – Main Semana Santa Traditions in Antigua Guatemala

If this is your first time experiencing Semana Santa in Antigua Guatemala, prepare to be amazed. Holy Week in this colonial city isn’t just a celebration—it’s a full sensory experience. From the moment you step onto the cobblestone streets, you’ll be surrounded by music, color, scent, and emotion. Here are some of the traditions that make this time of year so special:

Processions (Las Procesiones)

The heart of Holy Week in Antigua is the processions. Every day, and often multiple times a day, large floats called andas are carried through the streets on the shoulders of cucuruchos (men) and cargadoras (women). These floats are beautifully decorated with flowers and candles and hold sacred images of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The processions are accompanied by bands playing slow, mournful music and clouds of incense that fill the air. You’ll feel the ground tremble slightly under the weight of the andas and the soft shuffle of the carriers’ feet. Whether you’re watching at sunrise or in the glow of candlelight, it’s hard not to get goosebumps.

Alfombras (Sawdust Carpets)

One of the most unique and beautiful traditions of Semana Santa in Guatemala are the alfombras. These intricate carpets are made from brightly colored sawdust, flowers, pine needles, fruits, vegetables, and even chocolate or glitter. They’re created right on the streets—sometimes overnight—and stretch for entire blocks. These stunning works of art are walked over by the processions, which makes them both breathtaking and heartbreakingly temporary. You’ll see families, neighbors, and even businesses working together to create them, often including religious imagery or personal symbols in their designs.

Velaciones (Holy Vigils)

Each week during Lent, different churches in Antigua host velaciones, or vigils. These are peaceful and reflective events where people gather to see beautifully arranged altars featuring religious statues, fruit and flower gardens (huertos), and sawdust carpets. The vigils usually include soft lighting, candles, and quiet music, and they offer a more intimate way to connect with the meaning of Holy Week. Outside the churches, you’ll often find local food vendors and children playing, giving the experience a sense of both reverence and community celebration.

Traditional Holy Week Foods

Holy Week in Guatemala is also a time to enjoy some of the country’s most traditional and delicious dishes—many of which are only made this time of year. Some of my favorites include empanadas de manjar, sweet turnovers filled with a creamy milk custard and dusted with sugar; garbanzos en miel, tender chickpeas simmered in a syrup of panela, cinnamon, and cloves; and bacalao a la vizcaína, a rich salt cod stew with tomatoes, peppers, and olives that’s usually served on Good Friday. You’ll also see torrejas, slices of bread soaked in egg and fried, then drenched in cinnamon-spiced syrup—a Guatemalan version of French toast.

Other seasonal favorites include jocotes en miel, small tart fruits stewed in a sweet syrup until soft and sticky; chilacayote fresco, a refreshing drink made with squash, sugar, and spices; and tamalitos de elote, sweet corn tamales steamed in husks and perfect as a snack or dessert. And yes—if the smell of cinnamon, cloves, incense, and freshly baked pan dulce wafting through the streets doesn’t make your stomach growl, I’ll be shocked.

Another food tradition that brings families together during this season is baking pan de yemas, a soft, lightly sweet egg yolk bread often made in large batches to share with friends, neighbors, or anyone who drops by.

If you’re curious to try any of these dishes at home, I’ve put together a full guide with traditional Semana Santa food recipes from Guatemala—straight from my family kitchen. Check out the recipes and food traditions of Holy Week in Guatemala

Semana Santa 2026 Highlights in Antigua Guatemala

Every year, Semana Santa in Antigua Guatemala follows deep-rooted traditions—but each year also brings something new to discover. In 2026, the processions will begin early in Lent (Cuaresma), with smaller, more intimate processions on Sundays leading up to Holy Week, and build to a powerful and emotional peak from March 29 to April 5. If you’ve never experienced it before, be prepared for crowds, color, incense, music, and emotion unlike anything else. 

Some of the most anticipated processions in 2026 include:

• Palm Sunday (March 29): The beloved Jesús Nazareno procession from La Merced will fill the streets with purple robes, palm fronds, and towering floats.

• Holy Thursday (April 2): Two stunning processions depart—Jesús Nazareno de la Humildad from San Cristóbal el Bajo, and Jesús Nazareno del Perdón from San Francisco El Grande, honoring the Last Supper and the hours before the crucifixion.

• Good Friday (April 3): The city awakens at 2:50 a.m. for the start of the day’s most solemn procession from La Merced. Later in the afternoon and night, two dramatic burial processions, or Santo Entierro, depart from Escuela de Cristo and San Felipe de Jesús, filling the streets with black robes, candlelight, and heart-stirring music.

Each of these processions winds through Antigua’s colonial streets for hours—some nearly the entire day. They pass under flower-covered arches, over delicate sawdust carpets, and through massive crowds of spectators and faithful followers. If you want to catch one of these highlights, be sure to plan ahead: arrive early, wear comfortable shoes, and know that standing for long periods is part of the experience.

This is just a small taste of what’s to come in 2026. For full details—including procession times, routes, and the meaning behind each event  Check out my full Semana Santa 2026 processions guide.

Tips for Experiencing Holy Week in Antigua Like a Local

If you want to make the most of Semana Santa in Antigua Guatemala in 2026, planning ahead and knowing what to expect on the ground can make a huge difference. Here are some of my personal tips—things I’ve learned from growing up in Guatemala and experiencing Holy Week in Antigua many times.

Arrive Early—Like Really Early

Don’t just show up 15 minutes before a big procession and expect to get a good view. For major events like the Good Friday morning procession from La Merced, people start claiming sidewalk spots hours in advance. Locals often bring small stools, water, and snacks while they wait. If you want to take photos or just soak it in without being packed into a crowd, plan to be there 1–2 hours before the scheduled start time (sometimes more).

Stay Close to the Historic Center

During Holy Week, traffic in and out of Antigua slows to a crawl. Streets are closed to cars, and getting around by vehicle becomes almost impossible. Book a hotel or Airbnb as close to the Parque Central, La Merced, or Escuela de Cristo as possible so you can walk everywhere. Some processions start or end near these churches, so you’ll be right in the middle of the action.

Ask Locals Where the Alfombras Are Being Made

While it’s amazing to see the finished alfombras during the day, some of the most magical moments happen at 2 or 3 a.m., when neighbors are quietly working together to build them. If you ask around earlier that day—especially near where a procession will pass—locals will often tell you where and when they’re starting. It’s a peaceful and beautiful moment that most visitors miss.

Pack Essentials the Right Way

Don’t bring big backpacks. The streets are packed, and there’s often nowhere to set your stuff down. Instead, use a small crossbody bag with water, sunscreen, a portable phone charger, tissues, and a light sweater (the mornings can be chilly, even in April). If you’re short, a foldable stool or foam pad for kneeling helps when waiting for hours.

Be Respectful and Present

This might seem obvious, but remember that for most people here, this isn’t a show—it’s a sacred act of faith. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), don’t use flash photography, and keep your phone down during moments of prayer or music. Even if you’re not religious, observing these customs shows respect for the community that is opening its heart to you.

Learn About the Routes Ahead of Time

Wi-Fi and data get spotty when crowds are large. Local shops and tourist centers sometimes have printed procession route maps, or you can download them from Facebook pages of churches like Hermandad de la La Merced, Hermandad de la Escuela de Cristo, or the Asociación de Cucuruchos. Knowing where a procession starts, passes, and ends can help you plan where to stand—or avoid getting stuck! Check out my article with the schedule and routes for the Antigua Guatemala 2026 processions here. 

Eat Like a Local—Street Vendors, La Cuevita, and Candy!

Some of the best Semana Santa foods in Antigua can be found at small, family-run street stands. During Holy Week, the smell of garbanzos en Miel, tamalitos de elote, torrejas, and empanadas de manjar fills the air. If you want to try it all in one place, head to La Cuevita de los Urquizú, a local favorite for traditional Guatemalan dishes—especially during Lent and Easter season. Learn about all the traditional Guatemalan Semana Santa foods here (and get the recipes too). 

And don’t forget about Guatemala’s traditional candies, many of which are especially popular during Semana Santa. Look for dulces de pepitoria, cocadas, canillitas de leche, and higos en miel. These sweet treats are often sold in small shops and markets around Antigua and make perfect gifts or souvenirs. Check out my guide to traditional Guatemalan candy here—complete with recipes!