San Miguel Festivals and Events, Dec 15 2006

Excerpted from “The Best of San Miguel de Allende”© by Joseph Harmes. Reprinted with permission.


December 16-24: The posadas (inns) represent the nine-day journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. In some neighborhoods, simple candlelit neighborhood processions re-enact the search for an inn. Different homes each night host caroling, costumed children, food and drink and the breaking of a piñata. 

Other colonias frolic with huge mojigangas (papier mâché puppets) and floats. Public posadas take a different route through city streets each night. Two children, dressed as Joseph and Mary, ride a burro while others are dressed as angels. Onlookers toss gifts of candy and nuts to the participants. 

The tradition has been forgotten in the homes of the middle class and wealthy. When a celebrant knocks on the door to their homes, he or she isn’t told to go away but invited inside to a cocktail party. Pastorelas (passion plays) are performed in many locations, especially Bellas Artes. 

Lessons are taught about good and evil, the latter usually represented by politicians, who are joyfully lambasted. 

December 21 or 22: The Winter Solstice. The shortest day of the year, the first day of winter..