Fiesta De Santo Tomas

Chichicastenango's town fair runs from December 14 through December 21. The Fiesta de Santo Tomás, in honor of the town's patron saint, is the most famous festival in Chichi. The Fiesta takes place every year in mid-December and lasts for a week. A cofrada, or honorable brotherhood of town elders, organizes it. The celebration begins and ends with a march of the cofrada through town toward the church, accompanied by flute and drum music.

Young men show their strength and daring by climbing a pole known as the Palo volador during this festivity. They spiral back to earth on ropes once they reach the summit. The celebration ambiance is enhanced with nativity scenes, handcrafted Christmas ornaments, and posadas, or processions.

Chichicastenango's Santo Tomás Fiesta is a unique and exquisite celebration. During the festivities, a spectator is forced to learn a great deal: the exceptional richness of Guatemalan culture; the adaptation of prehistoric rituals to modern circumstances; the vast diversity of masked rituals in even a single Guatemalan town; and, last but not least, the Guatemalan people's creative and fun-loving nature.

Date: December 13th until the 21st