Guatemala celebrates many special holidays throughout the year. In 2025, there will be 12 public holidays. These holidays allow Guatemalans to honor their cultures, histories, and traditions. From religious events like Easter and Christmas to national pride days like Independence Day and Revolution Day, the holidays showcase Guatemala’s diverse heritage.
This blog will provide an overview of the public holidays in Guatemala in 2025. You will also learn about how they are typically celebrated, the history behind the holidays, and what they mean to the people. Get ready to discover the rich traditions and festivities surrounding Guatemalan holidays.
| Know More: Public Holidays In Guam In 2025 |
Public Holidays In Guatemala In 2025
In 2025, there will be 12 public holidays in Guatemala that the people will celebrate. Two of the public holidays from them fall on weekends. The list of public holidays in Guatemala in 2025 is given below.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
| New Year’s Day | Jan 01, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Maundy Thursday | Apr 17, 2025 | Thursday |
| Good Friday | Apr 18, 2025 | Friday |
| Holy Saturday | Apr 19, 2025 | Saturday |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2025 | Thursday |
| Army Day Holiday | Jul 01, 2025 | Tuesday |
| Independence Day | Sep 15, 2025 | Monday |
| Revolution Day | Oct 20, 2025 | Monday |
| All Saints’ Day | Nov 01, 2025 | Saturday |
| Christmas Eve | Dec 24, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2025 | Thursday |
| New Year’s Eve | Dec 31, 2025 | Wednesday |
This is the list of the public holidays that people will celebrate in Guatemala in 2025. Below are the significance and customs of these public holidays.
New Year’s Day (January 1st)
New Year’s Day marks the start of a new year on the Gregorian calendar. In Guatemala, it is a time for celebration, hope and new beginnings. Families gather together for festive meals, often including the traditional dish of tamales. Many attend church services to give thanks for the past year and pray for blessings in the new one.
Fireworks light up the night sky across the country as the new year arrives. The holiday has two days: New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve. It is seen as an opportunity to reflect on the past and make resolutions for self-improvement in the coming year.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday marks the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles before his crucifixion and the washing of the feet. It falls on the Thursday before Easter Sunday. For Catholics and Protestants in Guatemala, it holds major religious significance.
Many attend special church services, reenacting Christ’s washing of the apostles’ feet. Families gather for a meatless meal, such as fish or soup, in remembrance of the Last Supper. Some practice the tradition of visiting seven churches.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the most somber day of Holy Week for Christians, marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Churches hold solemn services focused on Christ’s suffering on the cross. Many take part in processions carrying sculptured images depicting the Passion of Christ.
Major cities like Antigua host massive processions involving huge floats with intricate designs. Some practice fasting or follow a vegetarian diet on this day out of mourning.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday commemorates the day Jesus Christ’s body lay in the tomb after his crucifixion, before his resurrection on Easter Sunday. For Guatemalan Catholics, it is a day of quiet reflection and preparation before the joyous celebration of Easter.
Many attend a vigil service at night, which includes lighting the Easter candle. Special foods like paches (potato salad) and candies are prepared in anticipation of Easter feasts.
Labour Day (May 1st)
Labour Day celebrates the dignity of workers and their rights. In Guatemala, it honors the labor movement’s efforts to secure worker protections like reasonable hours, safer conditions and fair pay.
Unions and worker advocacy groups hold rallies and marches to raise awareness. Many businesses are closed to allow workers to spend the day with family. Outdoor activities and community events are common ways to observe the holiday.
Army Day (June 30th)
Army Day commemorates the national armed forces of Guatemala and honors the sacrifices of soldiers. Military parades and ceremonies occur nationwide, with the largest in the capital. Soldiers demonstrate training exercises to the public.
Guatemalans attend events to express patriotism and show appreciation for the armed forces’ service. Some military discount offers are available for shopping and restaurants.
Independence Day (September 15th)
Independence Day celebrates Guatemala’s independence from Spanish colonial rule in 1821. Patriotic parades, festivals, and community events occur across the country. The national colors of blue and white are prominently displayed. Students take part in performing dances and plays about Guatemalan history.
Families enjoy traditional foods like fiber and beverages like a michelada. Fireworks light up the night sky in significant cities. It is one of the biggest annual celebrations of national identity and freedom.
Revolution Day (October 20th)
This holiday commemorates the Guatemalan Revolution of 1944-1954, which overthrew the oppressive dictatorship and established a democratic system. It marks the start of a 10-year period of reform and relative democracy in the country before another coup.
Official ceremonies honor those who fought against tyranny. Groups hold rallies calling for continued progress on human rights and social justice issues that motivated the revolution.
All Saints’ Day (November 1st)
All Saints’ Day is a Catholic holiday honoring all the saints, both known and unknown. Guatemalan families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the gravesites of deceased loved ones with flowers, candles, and other offerings.
Special meals featuring fiambre salads are prepared. Some build altars in homes with photos of the departed. It blends indigenous Mayan traditions of honoring ancestors with Catholic beliefs about souls in the afterlife.
Christmas Day (December 25th)
Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, an enormously important religious and cultural event in predominantly Christian Guatemala. Festivities begin weeks earlier, with posadas reenacting Mary and Joseph’s journey and the making of tamales, ponche and other traditional foods.
Families attend midnight mass and open gifts at home after. Elaborate nativity scenes are displayed in homes and public spaces. It is a cherished time for family togetherness, feasting and spiritual observance. The holiday celebrates two days: Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
This blog is about the customs, significance, and dates of the holidays in Guatemala in 2025. I hope you enjoyed it. For more updates, visit the worldholidaylist.com website.