What are the traditions of San Miguel de Allende?

San Miguel de Allende is one of the oldest colonial cities in the country of Mexico and has played a very important role in Mexican history. Therefore, we do have some traditions that come from really ancient times.

 

We have traditions that came all the way from the Chichimecas, which are the native Mexicans who lived here. You will see people who dance on the streets and have ancient traditions mixed with a lot of religious traditions that came when we...

San Miguel de Allende is one of the oldest colonial cities in the country of Mexico and has played a very important role in Mexican history. Therefore, we do have some traditions that come from really ancient times.

 

We have traditions that came all the way from the Chichimecas, which are the native Mexicans who lived here. You will see people who dance on the streets and have ancient traditions mixed with a lot of religious traditions that came when we were colonized by Spain.

 

San Miguel de Allende is very important to Mexico because it was here where the independence from Spain was planned. We celebrate the independence of Mexico on September 16th. The area between San Miguel and the city of Dolores Hidalgo, which is only 20 miles away north of San Miguel, played a big role in the independence and this is where the Independence Day parties are hugely celebrated. It is similar to Philadelphia in the United States. You will see people from all over Mexico come here and celebrate. For some reason, if you are Mexican, and you go to San Miguel de Allende, you would feel more Mexican and you would feel more patriotic.

 

Lately, celebrating the Dia de los Muertos or “Day of the Dead” has become a tradition here in San Miguel de Allende. The expat community played a huge role in recovering this tradition to celebrate the Day of the Dead by dressing up like a Catrina or Catrin. Catrina is a character that was created after the revolution in 1910 in Mexico when a cartoonist drew a skeleton that is enjoying the afterlife. Day of the Dead has pre-Hispanic roots but celebrating it this way and bringing the character of Catrina became really famous and got all of this flavor that we know right now, after the revolution of Mexico between 1910 and 1920. 

 

During the Day of the Dead, Mexicans and foreigners dress up in really elegant clothing and they get their faces made up with face paint so they look like a skull. People go out on November 1st and celebrate this tradition all over San Miguel de Allende. Expats go out to restaurants and give candies to kids. It is a tradition to remember all your family and friends who have passed away. It is like a big memorial of all the people who have gone before us. People go to the cemetery to remember their loved ones. It does not really have to do with Catholicism or any religion; rather it is a big memorial of our loved ones who have passed away.

 

During Day of the Dead there are special meals that are being served at the restaurants. There is a special bread called Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead) and there is a special type of flower used for this to celebrate Day of the Dead, which is called Cempasuchil (marigolds). Some people put an altar on the street or in front of their homes, which is a table set up with all the foods that were favorites of your loved ones who have passed away. Tradition says that during the night of November 1st, your loved ones would come and have a meal with you. It is a really great way to remember them.

 

(Celebration of Mexican Independence, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, pictured.)

Parade through San Miguel de Allende, MexicoIn San Miguel de Allende, every week is a celebration of something. There are always fireworks. Every weekend, there are parades in San Miguel de Allende that go through town for weddings and parties, which has become a new tradition in San Miguel de Allende.

 

For example, there’s “mojigangas”, the huge puppet doll. People have tequila and a band, and everyone walks through the streets with these...

Parade through San Miguel de Allende, MexicoIn San Miguel de Allende, every week is a celebration of something. There are always fireworks. Every weekend, there are parades in San Miguel de Allende that go through town for weddings and parties, which has become a new tradition in San Miguel de Allende.

 

For example, there’s “mojigangas”, the huge puppet doll. People have tequila and a band, and everyone walks through the streets with these huge puppets leading the way. They pass tequila around to the people who are walking, and to the people in the streets, and everyone has fun. This happens every week.

 

Every week, there’s also a religious festival with fireworks and processions in San Miguel de Allende. San Miguel de Allende is a festive town, and is famous for always having something happening. If you live in Centro or anywhere near it, if you like this kind of stuff, it’s fantastic, but if you want quiet and serene living, then Centro is probably not your best choice.  

 

(Parade through San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, pictured.)