Dia Nacional de la Marimba

Día Nacional de la Marimba

View on map
MusicGuatemala City
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsThe marimba's status here rests on formal
Language["es"]Currency: GTQ
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Dia Nacional de la Marimba in Guatemala City

Guatemala's National Marimba Day, held each February 20th at the Plaza de la Constitucion in Guatemala City, where leading national ensembles perform continuously for more than six hours to mark the marimba's status as the country's declared national instrument and OAS-recognised Cultural Heritage of the Americas.

Guatemala's Congress formally declared the marimba the national instrument through Decree 66-78, and later reinforced that status through Decree 31-99, cementing an instrument built from wood and gourd resonators as a genuine patriotic symbol on par with the flag or national anthem rather than simply a popular folk instrument.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The marimba's status here rests on formal legal recognition, Congressional Decree 66-78 and the later Decree 31-99, declaring it Guatemala's national instrument, a level of official symbolic status few countries extend to a single musical instrument, reinforced internationally when the Organization of American States declared it Cultural Heritage of the Americas in 2015

02

The mystery stays covered

The day's commemoration in the Plaza de la Constitucion runs continuously for more than six hours, an unusually sustained live-performance format compared to a typical single concert, and features the double marimba, a Guatemalan innovation adding legs for standing performance and pairing instruments for expanded range, a genuinely national contribution to the instrument's design history

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

National Marimba Day is marked each February 20th with a continuous

Water and renewal

Living ritual

multi-hour public performance by leading national marimba ensembles in Guatemala City's Plaza de la Constitucion

The sacred route

Living ritual

following the instrument's formal declaration as national symbol by congressional decree

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Guatemala City you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Comfortable outdoor clothing suited to standing or sitting informally in an open plaza for extended periods, plus sun protection given the daytime timing of most of the six-hour programme.

Safety

At Dia Nacional de la Marimba, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Dia Nacional de la Marimba runs late.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

["es"] · GTQ

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map14.64 N, 90.51 WOpen in Google Maps

Guatemala City, Guatemala, Guatemala

Nearest airportGUA — La Aurora
TransportStay close enough to the part of Guatemala City you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Dia Nacional de la Marimba runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Guatemala City via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Guatemala City, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable outdoor clothing suited to standing or sitting informally in an open plaza for extended periods, plus sun protection given the daytime timing of most of the six-hour programme.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Guatemala and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Dia Nacional de la Marimba?

Dia Nacional de la Marimba is listed for Past edition: 20 February 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Dia Nacional de la Marimba take place?

The festival is listed in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Guatemala City, Guatemala, Guatemala

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLdiainternacionalde.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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