Sumpango Kite Festival — 5 Life Lessons from a Sky Full of Giants

Here you are standing in a huge open field in Sumpango, Guatemala. It’s November 1st, Dia de Todos los Santos.

You look up, and the sky is full of kites. But not the kind you flew as a kid. These are massive, some six stories tall, painted with jaw-dropping detail. They twist and turn in the wind like floating murals, each one carrying messages to loved ones who’ve passed on.

What you’re witnessing isn’t just a festival, it’s a centuries-old ritual. One that manages to be both sacred and loud, joyful and reverent. And, surprisingly, healing.

The Sumpango Kite Festival is a vibrant blend of Mayan spirituality, Catholic tradition, and human emotion. And whether you’re traveling through Guatemala or sitting at home wondering how to let go of something heavy, this celebration has something to teach you.

Here we’ll talk about five powerful life lessons I walked away with and why this experience stuck with me long after the last kite fell.

But first, let's find out how it all started.

How the Sumpango Kite Festival Started

This festival isn’t something made for tourists or Instagram. It’s something way deeper, and honestly, more beautiful than that. 

The Sumpango Kite Festival comes from the Kaqchikel Maya, an Indigenous group that’s been in this part of Guatemala for centuries. For them, November 1st (what we now call All Saints’ Day) has always been this sacred time when the veil between the living and the dead feels a little thinner.

The kites are enormous, hand-crafted works of art believed to carry messages to loved ones who had passed, and to keep away any bad spirits that might be hanging around. 

When Catholicism arrived with the Spanish, its traditions didn’t disappear. Instead, they blended with Catholic rituals, and the result is this gorgeous, soul-stirring mash-up of culture and resilience.

Today, what started as a quiet, spiritual practice has grown into a full-blown celebration, but its heart hasn’t changed. 

The Sumpango Kite Festival, or Barriletes Gigantes, is now officially recognized as part of Guatemala’s cultural heritage. While it pulls in crowds from around the world, it’s still deeply personal and community-driven.

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The Festival Experience — Where Grief Meets Celebration

To give you an idea of how this sacred festival season will go, the day often kicks off in the most grounding, heartfelt way: in the cemetery. 

Families come early with flowers, especially bright orange marigolds, candles, and personal offerings like food, photos, and little mementos for their loved ones. Kids help sweep the graves, grandparents tell old stories, and there’s this quiet hum of love and remembrance in the air.

But then, something amazing happens. As the sun rises, so does the energy. The whole vibe of the town shifts. Suddenly, there’s music playing, people laughing, kids chasing each other with small kites, and the smell of delicious food floating through the air. Vendors pop up selling tamales, churros, and handmade crafts. It’s like the whole town collectively exhales and leans into joy.

And in Sumpango, you’ll see the kites—oh wow, the kites. These barriletes gigantes are enormous and absolutely stunning. 

Some are anchored like giant murals that tell powerful stories; others are built to fly, and watching them take off is honestly emotional. 

They wobble, they spin, some crash, some soar, and each one feels like a prayer being sent skyward. Even when they fall, the crowd cheers. It’s not about perfection but about effort and letting go.

All the while, families are sharing fiambre. It’s only eaten this time of year, and absolutely delicious.

But more than that, it’s tradition. It’s family. It’s one more way this festival brings everyone together, blending sorrow and celebration in the most life-affirming way.

Lesson No.1 — Everything is Temporary, This is What Makes it Beautiful

Some of these kites take months to build. We're talking full-on team efforts of families, friends, entire neighborhoods coming together to plan, draw, cut, and paste thousands of pieces of tissue paper onto a bamboo frame.

And then? They might fly for five minutes. Maybe less. Some don’t even make it off the ground before collapsing in a heap of color.

But no one’s angry. No one’s rushing to fix what breaks.

The whole thing is kind of freeing.

There’s something deeply grounding about watching a massive kite rise, catch the wind, and then fall apart. It reminds you that everything has its moment. And that’s okay.

In life, we try to control and cling to things, from relationships, careers, and plans. But the kites? They show us that it’s possible to pour your heart into something, even knowing it won’t last.

And that the beauty isn’t in how long it stays up, but in the care you gave it along the way.

Try this next time you travel: When something doesn’t go as planned, let it go a little easier. Ask yourself: Is this a kite that just wasn’t meant to fly today?

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Lesson No.2 — Grief is Better When Shared With Others

Before the music and kites begin, families head to the cemeteries in the morning. They clean the graves, lay out food, place marigolds and photos, and sit with their ancestors. Kids run around. Grandparents pray. Someone passes around coffee.

There’s no somber silence, only connection.

It’s not just about mourning, but about remembering together.

That shared experience creates this unspoken support system. You feel it in the way people talk, laugh, hug, or just sit side by side without needing to say much.

Traveling can be isolating sometimes. So can grief. But this festival reminded me that healing doesn’t have to be a solo project. Sharing your story, even with strangers, makes things lighter.

Next time you’re on the road: Start a conversation about something meaningful. Ask locals about their traditions. Or open up a bit yourself, you might be surprised at how ready people are to meet you where you are.

Lesson No.3 — Creating Something Can Help You Heal

Watching people build the kites is just as moving as seeing them fly. The process is intense, creative, chaotic, and cathartic. People build them to honor loved ones, express their grief, make political statements, or just process what they’ve been through.

It’s their therapy.

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You don’t have to build a six-story kite, but there’s something incredibly healing about putting your emotions into something, drawing, writing, cooking, making music, whatever speaks to you.

When things feel heavy: Try using your hands. Paint. Journal. Make something beautiful, or messy, or weird. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

Lesson No.4 — Letting Go Can Be a Ritual, Not a Struggle

There’s this moment when a kite finally lifts off the ground that’s almost electric. People cheer, clap, and cry. This isn’t about the success of the launch. But more on what the kite represents.

For a lot of locals, that release means something. It’s goodbye. A letting go of grief, pain, regret, or whatever they’ve been holding onto. This is a ceremony of release.

That idea stuck with me. We don’t often give ourselves space to release the things that weigh us down. And when we do, it’s usually in our heads, quietly, without closure.

But what if you turned that release into a small ritual?

Try this: Write a note to someone you’ve lost, or to a part of your life you’re ready to leave behind. Burn it. Bury it. Float it down a river. Or just imagine tying it to a kite and watching it disappear into the clouds.

Lesson No.5 — It's Okay To Celebrate and Mourn at the Same Time

This might be the most beautiful paradox of the Sumpango Kite Festival — it’s all about death, and yet, it’s incredibly alive.

There’s music, food, and laughter. Kids are running around. Giant kites crashing and people cheering anyway. It’s chaotic and joyful and deeply emotional.

That balance (the way grief and celebration coexist) is something we don’t see often in Western culture. We’re taught to compartmentalize. You’re either sad or happy. Healing or hurting. But life doesn’t work like that.

You can be missing someone deeply and still find yourself belly-laughing over fiambre with a group of strangers.

Let this sink in: Grief doesn’t cancel out joy. And joy doesn’t mean your sadness isn’t real. It’s all part of the same human experience.

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Want to Go? Here’s What You Should Know

• When to Visit: The main event happens on November 1st, but arrive a day or two early to settle in and explore. You can join a group tour so all the arrangements are done for you.

  
  

• Where to Stay: Most travelers stay in Antigua, a charming, colonial town about 35 minutes from Sumpango. It’s walkable, beautiful, and female-friendly.

  
  

• How to Get There: The easiest option is to book a shuttle or a small group tour from Antigua. Buses run too, but they can be tricky if you’re not familiar with local transport.

  
  

• What to Bring: Sunscreen, water, snacks, cash (there aren’t a lot of ATMs), and your camera. Oh, and tissues. Just in case.

  
  

• Cultural Tips: Be respectful, especially in the cemetery. Don’t take photos of people without asking. And when in doubt, just watch and listen.

  
  

Don't Skip the Food — Try the Fiambre

Fiambre is the only dish traditionally served during All Saints’ Day, and it’s kind of a big deal. It’s a cold salad with dozens of ingredients: pickled vegetables, meats, cheeses, eggs, herbs, and more. Each family has their own version, and it’s usually made together, as a group effort.

Trying it is a delicious way to connect with local culture, and honestly, it’s a symbol of the festival itself: complex, colorful, and made with love.

Why Traveling Women Official Recommends This Trip

If you’re someone who travels not just to see things but to feel them, this is the kind of experience you’ll carry with you for a long time.

We've created this special trip called Empowered Women- Honoring Our Loved Ones for this upcoming October, and we'd love for you to come with us. You can view the full itinerary here.

We created this for women who want more than sightseeing. This is about meaningful community, personal reflection, healing, and stepping into a tradition that’s both ancient and deeply relevant today. 

Whether you’re going through a transition, carrying a recent loss, or just feeling ready to reconnect with life in a new way, this is a beautiful place to do it.

Honor your loved Ones in The Most Meaningful Way

Join us for an unforgettable journey to Guatemala’s Sumpango Kite Festival. You’ll meet incredible women, eat incredible food, and maybe, just maybe, leave a little lighter than you came.

Secure your spot today! Slots are limited, and you get a great discount for signing up early. See you soon!