New Year's Day, known as 'Año Nuevo' in Spanish, is a major celebration in Guatemala, as it is in many parts of the world. As the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar used in Guatemala, it is a public holiday that most Guatemalans look forward to. With a mix of indigenous Mayan and Spanish traditions, this holiday is celebrated with fireworks, music, dancing, and food. It's also an ideal time for family gatherings, collective prayers, and expressing hopes for the new year.
On New Year's Eve, leading up to the arrival of New Year's Day, it's common for Guatemalans to participate in special rituals believed to bring good fortune for the upcoming year. This includes the 'Burning of the Devil', a tradition where effigies, often crafted out of old clothes and filled with firecrackers, are set ablaze in the streets. This act symbolizes the cleansing of bad energy and the making room for positive vibes in the new year. Many people also attend a late-night Mass on New Year's Eve, known as 'Misa de Gallo', to offer up prayers for the coming year.
When the clock strikes midnight, fireworks light up the Guatemalan skyline, signaling the start of the New Year. The streets are filled with cheers and happiness as people wish each other a happy new year. In the first minutes of New Year's Day, it is a custom to make a lot of noise to ward off bad spirits. People beat drums, blow whistles, and even honk car horns. The holiday continues with open-air concerts, parties, and feasts throughout the day. Despite the hangovers from the previous night's celebration, New Year's Day in Guatemala is a joyous time for everyone to start the year on a positive note.