Known for its well-preserved Colonial architecture and authentic old-world Mexican features, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico provides its visitors with a timeless charm at any time of the year. But during a holiday season (which is frequent in Mexico), it’s especially easy to see why both travelers and travel authorities consider San Miguel de Allende to be the Best of Christmas in the Best City in the World.
The Best of San Miguel’s holiday celebrations definitely includes Christmas. Tourists flock from across Mexico and around the world to experience the magic of Christmas in San Miguel de Allende. For thousands of families, Navidad in San Miguel de Allende is the best they have ever experienced, and it has become their annual Christmas tradition.
Best of Christmas Festive Fun: Santaganga Surprises and Delights With San Miguel Streetmosphere
One of the “bests” San Miguel celebration is the “Mojigangas,” which are giant handmade papier-mâché characters. Sometimes as tall as three humans, Mojingangas are powered by just one fun-loving person, assisted by a non-costumed “handler” who is in charge of navigation and crowd control. Mojigangas create a truly unique streetmosphere that could be found in any of the world’s best theme parks.
This year’s Christmas Mojigangas included a 15-foot Santa Claus. Santaganga’s sneakered human legs and mophead beard and hair might not have been an artistic “best,” but judging the surprise and delight that Santaganga as he mingled around the Jardin Principal, both the young and the young at heart considered him to be a “best” addition to the festivities.
The Best of Christmas Tradition: Lighting Up San Miguel’s Centro Celebration
The centerpiece of San Miguel’s Christmas celebration is a majestic Christmas tree, which towers over Plaza Allende and the Jardin Principal, which is commonly just referred to as “Centro.” The grandeur of the Christmas tree needs to be a fitting match for the iconic Parroquia Cathedral behind it, and this year, day or night, San Miguel’s primary Christmas tree didn’t disappoint.
As the sun sets on the festive streets of San Miguel de Allende, the City’s Christmas celebration takes on a new life with lights, music, and holiday spectacle. Each year the ceremonial light of this Centro Christmas Tree sets the tone for the festive atmosphere that fills the city streets. Each year local residents and visitors converge to officially welcome the Christmas season, and share in the feelings of joy and anticipation that the ceremony evokes.
The Centro Christmas Tree, already a spectacle during the day, became even more magical at night, illuminated for the first time in the Christmas season after a unison countdown from thousands of tree-lighting participants.
Festive Fireworks: A San Miguel de Allende Best on Display
What would any San Miguel de Allende be without a fireworks spectacular to accentuate the occasion? We’ll never know because no one can remember such a thing as a fireworks-free celebration in San Miguel de Allende. Most San Miguel natives think fireworks are a “best” for any occasion or no occasion at all. Unfortunately the dogs of San Miguel strongly disagree.
There’s no denying that fireworks shows are one of the things San Miguel de Allende does best. With Disney-esque expertise, the Christmas Tree Lighting phyrotechnic display was among the best that San Miguel has produced.
Santa in the Spotlight is a Best for the Young and Young-at-Heart
A city sponsored singing and dancing show included an eclectic combination of characters, including Santa Claus, the Grinch, Cindy Lou “Quien” (which means “Who” in Spanish), and some not clearly identified elves, cartoon characters, and a Princess of some unnamed Christmas Kingdom. Although culturally confusing to the adults in the audience, anything that includes Santa Claus is a “best” to children around the world. The young audience gathered at the stage in the shadow of San Miguel’s iconic Parroquia confirmed that. Even the young-at-heart got swept up in the Christmas cheer of the eclectic cast of Christmas characters and their merry melodies.
The Best of Christmas Celebrations in Mexico: San Miguel de Allende is Perfectly Imperfect
Each year the sights and sounds of Christmas in San Miguel are perfect in their imperfection. And the heart-filled festivities don’t disappoint the people who expect the Best Christmas in all of Mexico when they spend it in the embrace of San Miguel de Allende.
Allende looks like it really has a great Christmas vibe. I would love to go there someday.
It is worth the visit. It’s like immersing yourself into a true living, breathing theme park!
San Miguel definitely has a Christmas vibe… maybe getting a little Americanized, but still charming in its own way. Definitely worth the trip at Christmas Time… and Easter… and Dia de Los Muertos… really just about any time!
Wow, it looks like San Miguel de Allende knows how to host the best Christmas celebrations. Loving the fireworks!
One year, I would love to visit Mexico and celebrate Christmas there – it all looks so vibrant and happy, not to mention it is probably lovely and sunny!
YES – it is usually sunny, but can get chilly at Christmas time in San Miguel de Allende. The streets and doors of San Miguel are all decorated in a charming handcrafted way too! It’s worth the trip!
I’m a huge fan of Mexico. However, have not visited San Miguel de Allende yet. Would love to experience Christmas here!
Christmas is lovely in San Miguel de Allende, but sadly it’s gotten a little gringo-fied. It still manages to retain it’s unique charm, though and overall it’s like spending Christmas in a giant theme park!