The Fiesta de San Miguel Arcangel

The patron saint of the Mexican city San Miguel de Allende is celebrated each year on the first weekend after September 29th. In the very early hours of Saturday morning, nearby neighborhoods make a pilgrimage to San Miguel with Virgen de la Luz paper lanterns. These lanterns are adorned on large wooden polls so as to make the stars look like they are floating above the journeyers. At four in the morning, a main bell in the city square is rung to signal the beginning of La Alborada which loosely translates as "to attack the dawn". During this moment of celebration, the main square is lively with dancing and music. There is a large fireworks display to honor the saint and signifies the fight Saint Michael fought and won against Lucifer.  After dawn breaks and the day begins, hundreds of people fill the streets to visit a large altar arranged for the saint and to hold mass. The day is full of festivities such as burning of paper mache Judas dolls, Danza de los Concheros, presentations with Voladores de Papantla, and copious amounts of delicious street food