Alborada II

The celebration of the Feast Day of San Miguel Arcángel is on 29 September but the celebration can last a week or more with the major part of the Fiesta on the weekend following September 29. The actual calendar of events can vary from year to year but it follows a general pattern. In 2008 the events of the Fiesta lasted from 26 Sept. to 5 October, a period of 10 days. The weekend is pretty much non-stop Fiesta. Friday evening it is music and dancing in the Jardín which last until the traditional Alborada around 4 AM Saturday morning. Saturday it is a parade in the morning and various processions all day culminating in the offering of the flowers (xúchiles) in the afternoon. That evening there is a pyrotechnics show with burning Castillos and aerial fireworks.

Sunday morning has another parade, then all day and into the evening Indian dance groups perform in the courtyard of the Parroquia and in the streets surrounding the Jardín. That evening another pyrotechnic show caps the Fiesta.

While the weekend is the most intense time of the Fiesta of San Miguel Arcángel other events happen all week long. Mostly they are processions carrying the statue of San Miguel to various churches and shrines around town. There are also various presentations of dance and music. To see the entire Fiesta plan on spending a week in San Miguel de Allende - never a dull moment!

The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel

To view as Slide Show use buttons. To view one-by-one click on each Thumbnail image.
0918 - The next morning, after San Miguel defeats evil, light and happiness flourish.
0654 - Both Saturday and Sunday evenings are capped off by pyrotechnic shows featuring both the burning Castillos and aerial fireworks. This being the celebration of the Patron Saint of the town San Miguel de Allende goes all out for these shows.
2277 - The Mexican fascination with depicting the macabre side of life extends into some wonderfully imaginative costume!
2226 - The costumes and make-up of the dancers is so wonderful a few pictures are in order.
1802 - Here they are flying high above the crowd below. The performance of this ritual has religious significance.
1794 - The Voladores de Papantla practice an ancient art of flying from the top of a high pole. Here they prepare to ascend the pole.
2257 - The feather work on the costumes is outstanding adding both to the dance and the color of the Fiesta. These dance group come from various parts of Mexico.
2218 - The parades of Saturday and Sunday feature many Indian dance groups, all of them have great costumes.
1783 - San Miguel Arcángel rules! He is frequently seen on the streets in various forms for the next few days.

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To view as Slide Show use buttons. To view one-by-one click on each Thumbnail image.
2037 - Saturday afternoon brings one of the more important events, the offering of the flowers (xúchiles). Making the flower offering is a custom going back to Pre-conquest times but still kept alive as an offering to San Miguel.
2263 - Another Indian dance costume style that is often seen is the "Apache" style.

2239 - More fabulous feather work in the "Aztec" style.
1366 - The Conchero dancers and musicians play a leading role throughout the Fiesta. Their colorful feathered costumes have their origins in pre-Hispanic times.
2287 - Here is an example of the art and craft that goes into making of the xúchiles offerings.
2245 - Most all the Indian dance groups perform in front of the flower offerings giving their respect both to San Miguel and their ancient customs.
2279 - At the end of the procession the xúchiles are installed around the courtyard of the Parroquia.
2030 - The flower offerings are large floral arrangements primarily made with marigold flowers and parts of the leaves of a type of agave plant. They are carried through the streets in a large procession to the Parroquia. Some are 30 or more feet tall.

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To view as Slide Show use buttons. To view one-by-one click on each Thumbnail image.
1684 - The Mojigangas are a San Miguel tradition. They are giant paper mache puppets, most are female, and the creators claim they are characterizations of actual people.
2186 - San Miguel Arcángel, Patron Saint and ruler of the modern day town of San Miguel de Allende.
2238 - More great costuming.
2223 - More great costuming.
1985 - Among the many processions that make their way to the Parroquia are several groups of caballeros.
1522 - Well, even the best of the Indian dancers gets thirsty!
1504 - More wonderful costumes at the costume dance. Toward the end many of the crowd joins in the disco dancing.
1498 - Another great event is the costume dance with the dancers all dressed in imaginative costumes dance for hours to a disco beat.

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