The Festival of San Miguel 
 

Abstract

Through this presentation I will delve into the history and traditions surrounding La Fiesta de San Miguel. This celebration of San Miguel de Allende’s patron saint is a weekend long festival that begins with a trek to the city’s town square before officially starting with La Alborada, a pyrotechnic display that signifies the battle between Saint Michael and Lucifer. Saint Michael’s victory is celebrated with a lively, musical party, a parade with elaborately decorated floats, the burning of paper mache Judas dolls (symbolizing the destruction of evil), traditional dances of Los Concheros and Los Voladores, and copious amounts of street food.