The festival of the patron saint of Chichicastenango is an important religious and cultural event. This festival is celebrated in mid-December and combines Catholic and indigenous Mayan rituals.
Chichicastenango is a town in Guatemala that is best known for its colourful market and rich indigenous culture. The name ‘Chichicastenango’ comes from K'iche'-Maya, an indigenous language, and means “place of the large reed plants”.
The town is famous for its traditional market, held every Thursday and Sunday, where handicrafts, textiles, artwork, spices and many other local products are sold. The market attracts both locals and tourists and is a lively place to experience Mayan culture. Chichicastenango is also known for its church ‘Iglesia de Santo Tomás’, which is a mixture of Catholic and Mayan traditions.