Guatemala "Land of Eternal Spring"

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Christmas

Location: throughout Guatemala
Starts: Wednesday 16 December
Ends: Friday 25 December

Although there is no Boxing Day in Guatemala, Christmas is celebrated here over the nine days leading up to Christmas Day (25 December). During these days, you will see processions that involve the re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s searching for a safe place in a posada (inn) to prepare for the birth of the Baby Jesus. The highlight of Christmas Eve is the Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Cockerel), which is preceded by a feast. The Mass of the Cockerel celebrates the legend that a cockerel crowed at midnight when Christ was born. On Christmas Day itself, fireworks are set off and special foods are eaten, such as tamales con carne (steamed corn dough stuffed with meat).