Guatemala's 2026 Holiday Calendar: When to Plan Around Semana Santa
Guatemala's holiday calendar is dominated by one event: Semana Santa (Holy Week), which shuts down much of the country for nearly a week. Beyond that, there are 10 full public holidays and 2 half-days in 2026, plus hundreds of local town festivals — so whether to plan around or toward the dates depends on what you want to see.
What are the main public holidays in 2026?
Guatemala observes 10 full holidays and 2 half-days in 2026 under the Labor Code (Decreto 1441): January 1 (New Year's Day), April 2–4 (Holy Thursday–Holy Saturday), May 1 (Labor Day), June 29 (Army Day, moved from June 30), September 15 (Independence Day), October 20 (Revolution Day), November 1 (All Saints' Day), December 24 (half-day) and 25 (Christmas), and December 31 (New Year's Eve half-day). Banks, government offices, and most businesses close on these days.
What closes during Semana Santa, and should I plan around it?
Semana Santa 2026 runs March 29–April 5 and shuts down most of the country for nearly a week. Transmetro bus service in Guatemala City is suspended Thursday through Saturday, and on other regular holidays it runs at reduced 15–20 minute intervals instead of the usual 5–8. Pullman buses run modified schedules on most holidays. Grocery stores in Guatemala City typically stay open with reduced hours. If you want to witness Antigua's famous processions, plan toward this week — the government runs a "Semana Santa Segura" security plan across 22+ institutions for the crowds. If you just want normal services and mobility, plan around it instead.
What about banking and paperwork?
ATMs work on all holidays, but bank branches close, so handle banking at least one business day ahead. RENAP civil registry offices (passports, national ID) get swamped before Semana Santa, so file any applications at least a week in advance.
Is Independence Day worth planning toward?
September 15, 2026 marks 205 years of independence and is a major national holiday with a two-day celebration, including a torch arrival on September 14 — worth building a visit around if you want to see national festivities, though it's not on the scale of Semana Santa's week-long shutdown.
Do local town festivals matter for travel planning?
Every municipality holds an annual patron saint festival (feria titular), but these are local holidays observed only by residents and workers in that town — they won't close businesses or transport nationwide, but can affect a specific municipality you're visiting.
FAQ
Is Mother's Day (May 10) a public holiday? No — it's a paid day off for working mothers under a 1968 decree, but not a national public holiday, so it won't close banks or transport generally.
Should I drive between towns during holidays? Plan carefully: travelers are advised to avoid driving outside Guatemala City at night due to poor lighting and safety risks, which matters especially around holiday travel surges.
Where can I find exact procession times in Antigua? Schedules vary by municipality — check with local tourist offices or ASISTUR (+502-2290-2810) for specifics.
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