Carnival

Carnival is held in February, during the week preceding Lent. Carnival in Guatemala is more gentler and more family-friendly than Carnival in Brazil.

During the Carnival season in Guatemala, you may see people buying painted eggshells known as "cascarones." After that, the eggshells are filled with confetti and crushed against someone's head. This is a highly common carnival ritual among teenagers and schoolchildren. At school, many of them dress up and throw confetti at each other.

Carnival is one of Guatemala's most famous festivals, bringing with it a wealth of delightful and colorful memories. Mazatenango's Carnivals are a large, colorful festival open to the entire town's inhabitants. Everyone is welcome to take part, and the group is planning events for both adults and children. It also includes the queen's crowning, sporting events, dances, religious activities, handicrafts sales, floral games, and the Grand Parade. The parade that passes the town's main streets is the highlight of the festivities. This parade has floats created by many sectors of society, including colleges, institutes, private businesses, civil society, and some government agencies.

Date: Fat Tuesday, right before the start of Lent