RESMA - Blog #festivals

La Alborada in San Miguel de Allende: Fireworks Before Dawn

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 20:48:31 -0600

By the RESMA Real Estate team · San Miguel de Allende · Updated: 11 Nov 2026 · Leer en español

In short: La Alborada is the pre-dawn celebration of San Miguel Arcángel, the city's patron saint. Around 4:00 a.m. on a weekend close to September 29, rockets and fireworks fill the sky over the Parroquia and the Jardín Principal, representing the battle between Saint Michael and Lucifer.

When it happens

Sources agree on the late-September weekend around the feast of San Miguel Arcángel (September 29), but describe the rule differently. In 2024 it took place in the early hours of September 28 (San Miguel Post, ADN40). All sources we read give a 4:00 a.m. start; San Miguel Post says neighborhood processions begin gathering around 3:00 a.m.

What happens

The great bell of the Parroquia marks the start, followed by rockets and fireworks “castles” launched from the church grounds; México Desconocido counted around 1,500 rockets and a show lasting a little over an hour. Neighborhoods such as Valle del Maíz and La Aurora arrive in procession with wind bands, mojigangas and paper stars. The festivities around the patron saint also include monumental offerings of flowers and cucharilla, dance groups such as concheros, and mañanitas after the fireworks.

Practical advice

Bring earplugs, keep an eye on your belongings and stand at a safe distance: México Desconocido reported people injured by burns from low-flying rockets in one edition.
Expect thousands of people in the Jardín Principal (ADN40).

What it means if you live in Centro

If you own or rent in Centro, La Alborada is the loudest night of the year: fireworks before dawn and crowds for the whole patron-saint weekend. Many residents treat it as a highlight; others plan to be away. If you are buying in Centro, ask how close the home is to the Parroquia and the Jardín, and whether windows and roofs are in good condition.

Read our Centro neighborhood guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is La Alborada?

The Desfile de los Locos in San Miguel de Allende: What to Know

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 20:43:35 -0600

By the RESMA Real Estate team · San Miguel de Allende · Updated: 11 Nov 2026 · Leer en español

In short: the Desfile (or Convite) de los Locos is a costumed street parade held in June, linked to the feast of San Antonio de Padua (June 13). Thousands of people in costumes and masks dance through the streets throwing candy, and the city has reported crowds of more than 160,000 people.

When it happens

Sources place it on the Sunday after June 13, or the first weekend after the feast of San Antonio de Padua, so the exact date changes every year. Check the municipal announcements each spring.

What you will see

Groups of “locos” parade in homemade costumes: superheroes, wrestlers, devils, skeletons, clowns, giant mojigangas and parodies of current events. Participants throw candy to the crowd; México Desconocido notes the local custom of carrying an umbrella upside down to catch it. After the parade, according to UnoTV, the locos return to the San Antonio de Padua parish and keep dancing in the afternoon.

How big it is

For 2024, Posta reported that the city government counted more than 160,000 attendees and more than 7,000 direct participants, up from about 5,000 the year before. UnoTV described the parade as more than 40 years old in 2022, while other sources trace related celebrations back to colonial times.

What it means if you live here

Colonia San Antonio and nearby streets are at the heart of the celebration: expect music, crowds and closed streets that day. Many residents love it; if you prefer quiet, plan accordingly.
Traffic: in 2022 the city deployed more than 100 traffic officers and barriers for alternate routes (UnoTV). Avoid scheduling moves, deliveries or showings that day.
Heat: in 2024 there were about 50 pre-hospital attentions, mostly for heat and dehydration (Posta). Bring water, a hat and sunscreen.

Thinking about San Antonio? Read our San Antonio neighborhood guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Desfile de los Locos?