Schedule for Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Antigua Guatemala for 2023, following Catholic Church’s tradition, Easter Week begins in Antigua Guatemala on Friday of Sorrows (Viernes de Dolores). The schedule may not be fully accurate for this year agenda. Remember to double check at local churches.

Holy Week is high season in Antigua Guatemala, so if you are visiting Antigua Guatemala, guests book even months in advance, sometimes it is difficult to get a room if you do not have a plan made in advance, so we recommend that you book early in advance and confirm with your hotel or guest house. If you visit Antigua Guatemala by driving, remember that important streets and avenues of the city are artistically adorned with the famous handmade rugs by the locals and this can cause traffic congestion. We invite you to enjoy the cultural and religious activities of Antigua Guatemala.


March 31st - 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 1st - 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 2nd - 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 3rd - Holy Monday (Lunes Santo)

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

 

April 4th - Holy Tuesday (Martes Santo)

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

 

April 5th - 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 6th - 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.

 

April 7th - 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 8th - 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 9th - 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.