Festival de Marimba Guatemala

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 carries formal recognition as a
Language["es"]Currency: GTQ
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Festival de Marimba Guatemala in Guatemala City

Timed around February 20, Guatemala's National Marimba Day, this Guatemala City festival gathers marimba orchestras and dance troupes for free concerts, typically at the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura. It showcases the marimba, Guatemala's national instrument, in its regional variations, offering a concentrated introduction to a tradition that otherwise appears in fragments across the country's patron saint fairs and civic parades.

Guatemala's marimba, a resonator xylophone developed in the country through African, Iberian, and Maya Kaqchikel influence over the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries, carries formal status as a national symbol, and February 20 is observed as National Marimba Day in its honor.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The marimba carries formal recognition as a Guatemalan national symbol, and this festival is one of the few events organized specifically around that status rather than around a saint's day or historical anniversary

02

The mystery stays covered

Programming typically spans the instrument's regional variety, from large orchestral marimbas played by six or more musicians to smaller folk ensembles, giving audiences a broader picture than the marimba trios heard at most local fairs

03

The city starts moving

Because multiple Guatemalan institutions run similarly named marimba festivals in different months, visitors should confirm which organizer's edition they are attending

04

The water draws everyone in

the government's February program is the one most directly tied to National Marimba Day itself

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Concerts and performances timed to February 20

Water and renewal

Living ritual

Guatemala's National Marimba Day

The sacred route

Living ritual

typically staged in the patio of the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Plan routes around set times, late-night exits, and crowded transport after headline acts.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable attire suited to sitting or standing at an outdoor patio venue; a light jacket for the cool February evenings typical of Guatemala City.

Safety

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

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Guatemala City you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

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
TransportPlan routes around set times, late-night exits, and crowded transport after headline acts.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Guatemala City you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

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 gearCasual, comfortable attire suited to sitting or standing at an outdoor patio venue; a light jacket for the cool February evenings typical of Guatemala City.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

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Festival de Marimba Guatemala?

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

Where does Festival de Marimba Guatemala 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 URLnoticias.mcd.gob.gt
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Rock in Rio

4–13 September 2026

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Photo pending

Montreal International Jazz Festival

Past edition: 25 June–4 July 2026

Montreal, Canada
Photo pending

Tomorrowland Brasil

Past edition: 10–12 October 2025

Itu, Brazil
Photo pending

Glastonbury Festival

23–27 June 2027

Pilton, United Kingdom

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →