Fiesta de San Simon Maximon

Fiesta de San Simón Maximón

View on map
Religious & SpiritualSantiago Atitlan
DatesDates TBA · Usually OctoberCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageSantiago Atitlan's Holy Week sequence gives
Language["es"]Currency: GTQ
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Fiesta de San Simon Maximon in Santiago Atitlan

In Santiago Atitlan, the figure known regionally as Maximon is called Rilaj Mam and is housed by whichever of the town's ten cofradias holds custodianship for the year, most often the Cofradia Santa Cruz. His most public appearances run through Holy Week, when the effigy is washed, dressed, and carried into the streets before a Good Friday procession that converges with the town's Cristo Sepultado procession.

In Santiago Atitlan, the figure known elsewhere in Guatemala as Maximon or San Simon is called Rilaj Mam, an effigy housed and cared for by whichever of the town's ten cofradias holds custodianship in a given year, most often the Cofradia Santa Cruz.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Santiago Atitlan's Holy Week sequence gives Rilaj Mam a specific, dated ritual choreography rather than a single static shrine visit: garments washed on Holy Monday, invocation rites through Tuesday, a public street appearance from Wednesday, and a Good Friday return that deliberately intersects with the town's Catholic Cristo Sepultado procession

02

The mystery stays covered

That convergence of the two processions in the same streets is the most visually distinctive element of the town's observance, staging Tzutujil devotional practice and Catholic Holy Week ritual side by side rather than keeping them separate

03

The city starts moving

Custodianship rotating among ten cofradias also means the specific house hosting the effigy changes from year to year

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Custodianship of the effigy

Water and renewal

Living ritual

called Rilaj Mam locally

The sacred route

Living ritual

rotates among the town's ten cofradias

The local code

Living ritual

Holy Week includes ritual washing of the effigy's garments

Tradition 5

Living ritual

a public street appearance from Holy Wednesday

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and a Good Friday procession that converges with the town's Cristo Sepultado procession

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually October

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Modest, respectful dress is appropriate given the devotional nature of the visit, particularly inside the cofradia house itself. Comfortable shoes help for Holy Week, when crowds and...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

["es"] · GTQ

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map14.64 N, 91.23 WOpen in Google Maps

Santiago Atitlan, Solola, Guatemala

Nearest airportGUA — La Aurora
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

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 Santiago Atitlan via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Santiago Atitlan, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare faresFestival gearModest, respectful dress is appropriate given the devotional nature of the visit, particularly inside the cofradia house itself. Comfortable shoes help for Holy Week, when crowds and processions fill Santiago's narrow streets for hours at a time.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 Fiesta de San Simon Maximon?

Fiesta de San Simon Maximon is listed for October. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Fiesta de San Simon Maximon take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

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

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Santiago Atitlan, Solola, 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 URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually October
Source statusNeeds editorial review
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Fiesta de la Virgen de Caacupe

8 December 2026

Caacupe, Paraguay
Photo pending

Grand Magal de Touba

3 August 2026

Touba, Senegal
Photo pending

Romeria de la Virgen de los Angeles

1–2 August 2026

Cartago, Costa Rica
Photo pending

Sydney Royal Easter Show

19–30 March 2027

Sydney, Australia

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →