As Eye See It: Spending March In San Miguel

By Frank "Sugar" Hudson. Photos by Lander Rodríguez

March is a great time to be visiting San Miguel de Allende.  The weather is generally mild to warm and dry, with pleasant daytime temperatures and cooler nights, lots of sunshine, and minimal rain — making it a wonderful time to explore the city.

Now that you’re here, what is going go in the city in the month of March? Are there festivals and events? Why are there parades and people dancing in the streets?.  Let me walk you through this popular time of year. 

On the First Friday of March is the Festival of Our Lord of the Conquest. The faithful gather at the Parroquia to recite 33 prayers, one for every year of Jesus’s life on earth. The feathered dancers dance in front of the Parroquia on this day, start at dawn and continue until dusk.

In Mid-March is the Festival on Cuban Culture, a weeklong celebration of Cuban Culture in all forms, concerts, lectures and events of all kinds. It’s a fun and festive celebration with hip-swiveling music ringing into the night.

We come to St Patrick’s Day on March 17^th which is a surprisingly popular holiday in Mexico.  The Mexicans celebrate the “Irish Martyrs” -  who deserted the United States to fight with the Mexican’s in the Mexican-American War (1855-1849).

Next comes St. Joseph's Day on March 19^th - San José, the husband of the Virgin Mary is one of the patron saints of San Miguel.

March 25^th brings us to the Festival of Our Lord of the Column. At midnight, a group of the faithful leaves the chapel in Atotonilco carrying a statue of a blooded Christ leaning against a column.  After an all-night march and prayer vigil, faithful with the statue arrives at the church of San Juan de Dios just after dawn. The arrival is marked by bells ringing and fireworks, you can see it around dawn along Independencia Street.

Friday before Easter Week - March 30^th, marks Viernes de Dolores, the Friday of Sorrows or the Day of the Altars. In walking around town, you will notice many public fountains, on this day the fountains are cleaned, painted and decorated with flowers. Many peoples build elaborate altars in the entrances to their homes.

On this day it is a tradition towalk the streets and admire the beautiful altars and greet the homeowners, who are proud of their displays and happy to share. All of this unfolds beneath the pink spires of Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, where faith, history, and celebration intertwine in daily life.

March in San Miguel is not simply a month on the calendar — it is a living expression of tradition and community. Whether you find yourself drawn to solemn processions, jubilant street music, or the quiet beauty of flower-filled fountains, you are witnessing a city that honors its past while welcoming all who wish to share in it.

Step outside, follow the sound of bells or dancing feet, and let March in San Miguel lead you into its story.