November Festivals in the Mayan World:
Monthly Cultural Series: November in the Mayan World
Welcome to our monthly cultural spotlight series. Each month, we delve into the rich living traditions, celebrations, and sacred events that span Mesoamerica. For November, we journey through the vibrant and symbolic festivals of the Mayan world in Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico.
This month is one of the most culturally significant across the region. From towering kites in the Guatemalan highlands to vibrant drum-led parades on the coast of Belize and candlelit altars in Mexico, November weaves together centuries of indigenous tradition, colonial influence, and modern celebration.
Here’s a country-by-country guide to the major November festivals in Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico, complete with context, travel tips, and traditions to look out for.
Guatemala: Day of the Dead, Giant Kites & Indigenous Races
🌌 Guatemala Giant Kites Festival (Festival de Barriletes Gigantes) – Nov 1-2
In the towns of Santiago Sacatepéquez and Sumpango, November 1 marks the incredible Guatemala Giant Kites Festival (“Festival de Barriletes Gigantes”). Massive handmade kites, some over 20 meters wide, are flown in local cemeteries to honor the dead and send messages to the spirit world during Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day)and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
Families picnic in cemeteries, eating traditional fiambre (a cold dish of over 50 ingredients), while teams of artisans display kites constructed from bamboo, tissue paper, and natural dyes. The experience is both spiritual and spectacular.
Where to Go: Santiago Sacatepéquez and Sumpango, near Antigua
🐎 Skach Koyl (Drunken Horse Race) in Todos Santos Cuchumatán – November 1
Held on the same day, this festival blends pre-Hispanic rituals and colonial customs. Riders in traditional Mayan clothing participate in a chaotic and symbolic horse race that honors the town’s ancestors.
The event is not merely a sport but a ceremony. Alcohol is consumed as part of the rite, symbolizing spiritual release and ancestral invocation.
Where to Go: Todos Santos Cuchumatán, Huehuetenango Department
🌺 Festival de las Flores in Antigua – Mid-November
Antigua Guatemala hosts a beautiful Festival of Flowers, where streets, facades, and public spaces bloom with artistic floral installations, music, and art markets. It’s a peaceful celebration of nature and creativity, enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike.
Belize: Garifuna Culture & Culinary Celebrations
🇧🇿 Garifuna Settlement Day – November 19
One of Belize’s most important cultural holidays, Garifuna Settlement Day commemorates the arrival of the Garifuna people to Belize in 1802. In coastal towns like Dangriga, Hopkins, and Placencia, celebrations include dawn reenactments of the landing, followed by a full day of drumming, dancing, parades, and traditional Garifuna foods.
The event is an official public holiday and a moving tribute to Garifuna resilience and identity.
Where to Go: Dangriga (largest celebrations), Hopkins, Placencia
🍽️ Culinary & Community Events – Early-Mid November
Belize also hosts several smaller-scale food and community events during November, including:
- Placencia Restaurant Week
- San Pedro Township Day (November 27)
- Agricultural fairs and craft markets across small towns
These events are ideal for travelers seeking to experience the local food culture and community life.
Mexico: Día de Muertos, Altars & Music Festivals
💀 Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – October 31 to November 2
Mexico’s Día de los Muertos is one of the world’s most recognized cultural celebrations. Families create ofrendas (altars) in their homes and decorate graves with marigolds, candles, food, and photos of loved ones.
Major celebrations occur in:
- Oaxaca: Candlelit cemeteries and street parades
- Mexico City: Mega-processions and giant skull puppets
- Janitzio Island: An overnight vigil on the lake
Where to Go: Mexico City, Oaxaca, Michoacán (Pátzcuaro/Janitzio)
🎶 Festival de las Calaveras & Santa Cecilia – Mid to Late November
Post-Día de Muertos, Mexico continues with:
- Festival de las Calaveras (Aguascalientes): Parades, art, and skull-themed performances
- Santa Cecilia Day (November 22): Musicians across the country pay tribute to their patron saint, often with spontaneous concerts and street performances, especially in Plaza Garibaldi, Mexico City
🎤 Corona Capital Music Festival – Mid-November
Held annually in Mexico City, this major music festival features international and Latin American acts, drawing tens of thousands of attendees.
Summary Table: November Festivals Across the Mayan World
| Country | Dates | Festival Name | Key Traditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala | Nov 1-2 | Guatemala Giant Kites Festival (Barriletes Gigantes) | Kite flying, fiambre, and cemetery rituals |
| Guatemala | November 1 | Skach Koyl Horse Race | Indigenous horse racing, ceremony, ancestral tribute |
| Guatemala | Mid-Nov | Festival de las Flores | Floral art, music, creative installations |
| Belize | November 19 | Garifuna Settlement Day | Reenactments, drumming, parades |
| Belize | Early-Nov | Food & Local Events | Restaurant Week, Agri fairs, Township Days |
| Mexico | Oct 31-Nov 2 | Día de Muertos | Altars, marigolds, cemetery vigils |
| Mexico | Mid-Nov | Festival de las Calaveras | Art, parades, skull imagery |
| Mexico | November 22 | Santa Cecilia Day | Musician tributes, mariachi, street music |
| Mexico | Mid-Nov | Corona Capital Festival | International music performances |
Final Thoughts: Why November Matters in the Mayan World
Across Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico, November serves as a bridge between the past and the present. These festivals reflect the enduring power of Mayan cosmology, Catholic fusion, and community resilience.
For travelers, it’s a unique opportunity to witness cultures expressing their memories, joy, and identity through color, sound, and spirit.
Travel Tip: Planning to explore November festivals in the Mayan world? Contact our expert team at Martsam Travel to create a custom cultural experience tailored to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the November festivals in the Mayan World?
November festivals in the Mayan World include major cultural celebrations in Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico. These range from the Guatemala Giant Kites Festival and Garifuna Settlement Day to Mexico’s Día de Muertos.
When is the Guatemala Giant Kites Festival held?
The Guatemala Giant Kites Festival takes place on November 1 and 2 during All Saints’ Day and Day of the Dead. The main locations are Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez.
What is the meaning behind the giant kites?
The giant kites, or barriletes gigantes, are flown to honor ancestors and send messages to the spirit world. They represent a spiritual bridge between the living and the dead.
What is the Skach Koyl horse race?
The Skach Koyl is a traditional horse race held on November 1 in Todos Santos Cuchumatán, Guatemala. Riders wear traditional Mayan clothing and the event blends ancestral ritual with local celebration.
What happens on Garifuna Settlement Day in Belize?
Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19 commemorates the arrival of the Garifuna people in Belize. It features reenactments, drumming, dancing, parades, and traditional food in towns like Dangriga and Hopkins.
Where is Día de Muertos celebrated in Mexico?
Día de Muertos is celebrated across Mexico, with significant events in Mexico City, Oaxaca, and Janitzio Island. Families build altars (ofrendas), visit cemeteries, and honor deceased loved ones with marigolds, candles, and food.
Why is November culturally important in the Mayan World?
November marks a time of remembrance, celebration, and ancestral connection across Mesoamerica. Indigenous and Catholic traditions merge in vibrant public festivals that honor identity, heritage, and spirituality.
