Easter Week 2025 Schedule Processions Antigua Guatemala

---

Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala is a sensory and spiritual experience, filled with the scent of incense, the rhythmic sound of the tzijolaj, and the vibrant artistry of intricate sawdust carpets. This cherished celebration, steeped in devotion, honors the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ through majestic processions that weave through the city’s cobblestone streets.

Easter Week in Antigua Guatemala: Processions, Traditions, and Schedules for 2025

For 2025, visitors and locals alike can immerse themselves in this timeless tradition, with processions scheduled from Palm Sunday (April 13) through Easter Sunday (April 20). Below, explore the history, significance, and full procession schedule for this iconic religious event.

Beyond its deep religious roots, Holy Week showcases Guatemala’s rich culture, traditions, and artistic expressions, drawing thousands of tourists each year. Visitors come to witness the solemn processions, participate in the Stations of the Cross, and savor seasonal gastronomy like fiambre and jocotes en miel. In Antigua, this week transforms the colonial city into a living tableau of faith and heritage.

While Holy Week spans seven days, the Easter Triduum—running from Holy Thursday (April 17, 2025) to Easter Sunday (April 20, 2025)—is the spiritual pinnacle for Christians. For some, it’s a time of reverence and reflection; for others, a chance to rest or explore. Yet few understand why its date shifts annually or how this global tradition began.

---

The Origins of Easter Week

Holy Week processions stem from Catholic tradition, designed to symbolically relive Christ’s suffering and sacrifice. In Antigua Guatemala, this practice comes alive as cucuruchos (penitents) carry ornate andas (floats) adorned with images of Jesus and the Virgin Mary through the streets, accompanied by mournful music and prayer.

Historians trace the roots of these processions to the Protestant Reformation, sparked by Martin Luther in 1517. As Europe faced religious upheaval, the Catholic Church encouraged public displays of faith to counter Protestant influence. Processions became a powerful expression of devotion, blending spirituality with community identity—a tradition that thrives in Antigua today.

---

Early Historical Records of Holy Week

The beginnings of Holy Week date back to the 4th century, emerging among Jewish followers of Christ and early Roman Christians. While no single document marks its origin, historians suggest it evolved organically within fledgling Christian communities. Key early references appear in the writings of Church Fathers like Athanasius of Alexandria, John Chrysostom, and Saint Augustine, as well as in the Apostolic Constitutions.

One of the oldest surviving accounts comes from Egeria, a 4th-century pilgrim whose diary details Holy Week observances in Jerusalem. These records highlight the celebration’s deep roots, which later spread across continents, adapting to local cultures—like the vibrant processions now synonymous with Antigua Guatemala.

Easter Week 2025 Procession Schedule in Antigua Guatemala

Antigua’s Holy Week processions are renowned for their grandeur and devotion. Below is a preliminary schedule for 2025 based on traditional patterns—check local sources closer to the date for exact times and updates:

April 11th 2025 - 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 12th 2025 - 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 13th 2025 - 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 of Jesús Nazareno from La Merced Church – Starts at 11 am, featuring palm-waving participants and colorful carpets.

 

April 14th 2025 - Holy Monday (Lunes Santo)

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

 

April 15th 2025 - Holy Tuesday (Martes Santo)

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

 

April 16th 2025 - Good Wednesday (Miercoles Santo)

• (6:00 – 23:00) Velacion (Candle light prayer / vigil) – Escuela de Cristo, somber tribute to the Crucifixion.
• (14:00)  Children’s procession – La Merced
• (15:00)  Procession – San Felipe de Jesus

 

April 17th 2025 - 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. Procession of Jesús Nazareno del Perdón from Catedral de San José –  followed by evening vigils.

 

April 18th 2025 - 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). Major procession of the Santo Entierro – Launches at 16:00 from Escuela de Cristo, with elaborate carpets lining the route.

 

April 19th 2025 - Holy Saturday (Sabado de Gloria)

• Times vary by parish
• 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 20th 2025 - Holy Sunday (Domingo de Resurreccion) (Easter Sunday)

• Morning Church services celebrating the resurrection. Morning Mass, followed by joyful processions.
• 13:00 – Procession – San Pedro Apostal (Hermano Pedro)

These events draw crowds from around the world, so plan your visit early toexperience Antigua’s Holy Week in all its splendor.

---

 Why Does Easter Week Matter?

In Antigua Guatemala, Holy Week is more than a religious holiday—it’s a cultural cornerstone. The processions, carpets, and communal rituals reflect centuries of faith and resilience. Whether you’re a pilgrim seeking spiritual renewal or a traveler captivated by history, Antigua’s Easter Week offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of Guatemala’s traditions.

 

Latest Posts

Go to Blog Mainpage

---