Semana Santa in Antigua Guatemala or Holy Week 2019, according to the Catholic Church tradition, Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) when Jesus enters Jerusalem and is received with palm leaves. The following dates based on the Gregorian calendar for 2019 Easter Week in Antigua Guatemala.
Friday 19th is Good Friday (known as VIERNES SANTO) is perhaps the most important and celebrated day of all in Antigua Guatemala. If you are in town, April 19th is the day you shouldn't miss. This agenda has been confirmed, however exact times may vary from time to time.
During this season, most hotels in Antigua Guatemala quite busy, the same for the guesthouses in Antigua Guatemala and other villages around town. Making your reservation is advanced is highly recommended.
12 April Friday
- (03:00) – Viacrusis from San Francisco to El Calvario (men).
- (15:00) – Children’s procession – Cathedral.
- (19:00) – Procession of the Virgin – Jocotenango
- (12:00 – 23:00) Velacion (Candle light prayer / vigil) – San Cristobal el Bajo
- (12:00 – 23:00) Velacion (Candle light prayer / vigil) – La Merced
- (12:00 – 23:00) Velacion (Candle light prayer / vigil) – Santa Ana
- (12:00 – 23:00) Velacion (Candle light prayer / vigil) – El Calvario
13 April Saturday (Sabado de Ramos)
- (05:00) – Viacrusis from San Francisco to El Calvario (women).
- (12:00 – 23:00) Velacion (Candle light prayer / vigil) – San Felipe de Jesus
14 April Sunday (Domingo de Ramos)
- (06:30) – Procession of palms – Jocotenango
- (08:00) – Procession of palms – Santa Ana
- (08:00) – Procession of palms – Escuela de Cristo
- (08:00) – Procession of palms – La Merced
- (08:30) – Procession of palms – San Felipe de Jesus
- (11:00) – Procession La Merced (main procession of the day)
15 April – Monday (Santo)
- (6:00 – 23:00) Velacion (Candle light prayer / vigil) – La Merced
- (16:00) – Procession Santa Ines
16 April – Tuesday (Santo)
- (6:00 – 23:00) Velacion (Candle light prayer / vigil) – San Francisco
- (18:00) – Procession (silent) from El Calvario
17 April – Wednesday (Santo)
- (6:00 – 23:00) Velacion (Candle light prayer / vigil) – Escuela de Cristo
- (14:00) Children’s procession – La Merced
- (15:00) Procession – San Felipe de Jesus
18 April – Thursday (Jueves Santo)
- (11:00) – Procession – San Cristobal El Bajo.
- (13:00) – Procession – San Francisco.
- (15:00 – 17:00) – “Ceremonia del Lavatorio” – washing of the feet (of the Jesus figure) – Escuela de Cristo, Cathedral, La Merced.
19 April – Good Friday (Viernes Santo)
- (00:00) – Pronouncement of the sentence against Jesus – La Merced
- (03:00) – Parade of Roman soldiers riding on horses and walking on Antigua streets, (act of looking for Jesus and calling out counts against him).
- (04:00) – Procession from La Merced (dressed in traditional purple robes). *** biggest / most elaborate of all processions
- (12:00 – 16:00) – Crucifixion ceremony at Escuela de Cristo.
- (12:00 – 16:00) – Crucifixion ceremony at the Cathedral.
- (15:00) – Procession from the Cathedral (dressed in black / mourning robes).
- (15:00) – Procession from the San Felipe de Jesus (dressed in black / mourning robes).
- (16:00) – Procession from the Escuela de Cristo (dressed in black / mourning robes).
20 April – Saturday (Sabado de Gloria)
- 15:00 – Procession from San Felipe de Jesus (only of the Virgin – by women – as Jesus has died).
- 16:00 – Procession from Escuela de Cristo (only of the Virgin – by women – as Jesus has died).
- 20:00 – 23:00 – Special Ceremony / blessings in many churches.
21 April – Sunday (Domingo de Resurreccion) (Easter Sunday)
- Morning Church services celebrating the resurrection.
- 13:00 – Procession – San Pedro Apostal (Hermano Pedro)