New Year's Eve 2025
Date: December 31, 2025 (Wednesday)
Country: Guatemala Public Holidays
Description
New Year Eve in Guatemala is the night that ends one year and begins the next. People think about what happened in the past year and get ready for a fresh start with new hopes.
It takes place on the evening of December 31 and continues into January 1. January 1 is a public holiday, so the country pauses normal routines and marks the change of the calendar together as a nation.
The holiday is significant because it helps people reflect on personal and family experiences. It is a time to say goodbye to what is ending and to imagine better things coming in the new year.
New Year Eve also has cultural and social meaning. It connects families, neighborhoods, and the wider community through shared feelings of endings and beginnings.
For many Guatemalans this holiday feels like a reset. It inspires planning, promises to improve life, and brings a sense of hope and unity for the year ahead.
Traditions
Families gather for a big dinner with tamales, rice and beans, roasted meats and sweet drinks like rompope. Children and adults hug, kiss and share wishes for the new year while people count down to midnight with loud cheers.
At midnight fireworks explode across towns. People set off cohetes and firecrackers to make noise and chase away bad spirits. Many neighborhoods light bonfires and burn muñecos or effigies called Año Viejo that represent the old year and its troubles.
Fun rituals include wearing colored underwear for luck, running around with an empty suitcase to invite travel, and popping confetti. Streets fill with music, dancing and fireworks as friends celebrate together into the early morning.
Travel Tips
Many shops, banks, and government offices close early or stay closed on New Year Eve. Public transport and intercity buses run less often. Expect heavy traffic and crowded city centers. Book buses and restaurants ahead and keep small cash handy.
Wear a money belt and keep phones hidden. Use registered taxis or hotel transport and avoid fireworks or crowded unregulated stalls. Plan to return to your lodging before late night. Join well organized events or hotel parties to celebrate safely and meet locals.