Schedule for Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Antigua Guatemala for 2022, following Catholic Church’s tradition, Easter Week begins in Antigua Guatemala on Friday of Sorrows (Viernes de Dolores) representing the crucifixion sentence of Jesus Christ. The following dates are based on the Gregorian calendar for 2022 Easter Week in Antigua Guatemala.

Processions, religious events and cultural activities take place throughout the week in Antigua Guatemala. Friday, April 8th, 2022 is Viernes de Dolores (Friday of Sorrows) is on this date that the beginning of all activity in Guatemala and especially in Antigua Guatemala is marked, but perhaps the most important and celebrated day during the activities of Holy Week in Guatemala is Good Friday April 15th, whi represents the date of the death of Jesus of Nazareth. Processions take place during the entire day and night on Good Friday and people’s devotion is admired by many local and foraigner visitors to the colonial city.

 easter week guatemala 2022

Easter Week is high season in Antigua Guatemala, so please note that hotels in Antigua Guatemala, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses are booked even months in advanced, getting a room is sometimes difficult so we would recommend you to reserve in advance. Important streets and avenues in the city are artistically adorned with the famous carpets handmade by locals, a deeply rooted tradition for the locals. You are welcome to enjoy the cultural and Religious activities.


April 8th - Friday of Sorrows (Viernes de Dolores)

  • (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 

 

April 9th - Saturday (Sabado Santo)

  • (05:00) – Viacrusis from San Francisco to El Calvario (women).
  • (12:00 – 23:00) Velacion (Candle light prayer / vigil) – San Felipe de Jesus 

 

April 10th - Palm 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)

 

April 11th - Holy Monday (Lunes Santo)

  • (6:00 – 23:00) Velacion (Candle light prayer / vigil) – La Merced 
  • (16:00) – Procession Santa Ines

 

April 12th - Holy Tuesday (Martes Santo)

  • (6:00 – 23:00) Velacion (Candle light prayer / vigil) – San Francisco 
  • (18:00) – Procession (silent) from El Calvario

 

April 13th - Good Wednesday (Miercoles 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

 

April 14th - Maundy 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.

 

antigua guatemala easter week 

April 15th - 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).

 

April 16th - Holy 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.

 

April 17th - Holy Sunday (Domingo de Resurreccion) (Easter Sunday)

  • Morning Church services celebrating the resurrection.
  • 13:00 – Procession – San Pedro Apostal (Hermano Pedro)

 We are looking forward to have the opportunity to celebrate this season with all of you.