Fiesta in Antigua, Guatemala

Fiesta in Antigua, Guatemala

Although La Antigua???s official holiday in honor of the city???s Patron Saint Santiago is actually on July 25th, the festivities take place throughout the month. Pop Concerts, beauty pageants, Marimba and the famous ???Gigantes??? processions will all take place Saturdays and Sundays at the Central Park. The Gigantes procession, unlike the Holy week processions, is upbeat and the giants dance to the sounds of the marimba band following them in a truck.

Another interesting attraction is the town fair located behind the market, where you will find everything from bingo games to an ???I???ve-seen-better-days??? Ferris wheel. Although riding the aforementioned wheel is not one of OTR???s recommended activities, the fair does offer a great chance to see Guatemala???s pop-culture in a less tourist oriented setting. Visiting the fair can be an intense experience for the senses with loud music, the smell of fried chicken and cotton candy and a million pulsating neon lights decorating the various rides and food stands, and as with all crowded places you should watch your belongings while there.

For more events in Antigua, check our Calendar of Events. You can ask for a detailed list of events at the ???Municipalidad??? at the Central Park. Find out more by reading our full article on the Fiesta de Santiago.

This article was posted by Yvonne Fass, our editor in Antigua.

Travel Advice & Recommendations From Local Experts