February Events in
San Miguel de Allende

I n February, events in San Miguel de Allende echo the growing warmth and longer days. This is the unofficial beginining of Spring. Annual February events in San Miguel de Allende center on patriotic celebrations and religious holidays.

It's also the absolute height of the tourist season, with dozens of gallery openings, films, lectures, conferences, literary readings, and other goings-on every week.

February 2 (2008) - Carnaval (a moveable feast) - When walking through the Jardín on the weekend before Ash Wednesday, stay alert. Vendors will be surrounding the square selling big baskets of cascarones, dyed eggs filled with confetti, glitter and/or cornstarch. These are perfectly designed for breaking over the heads of friends and strangers alike. Kids, especially, get a giggle out of bashing them on the noggins of unwary gringos. If you don't go home covered in confetti, you haven't properly been to the Jardín on this day. This is also the day to buy the huge crepe paper flowers that make such colorful home decor. Women will be sitting on the walls all around the Jardín selling them for a few pesos each.

February 2 - Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day). This religious holiday marks the 40th day after the birth of Jesus. Special masses involve the blessing of seeds for fertility and candles, representing the light of the world.

In San Miguel de Allende, the day is best known for the plant sales held in Juarez Park. Dozens of flower and plant vendors line the walkways of the park, selling everything imaginable for the garden. People stroll the paths planning the year's plantings. Young boys with wheelbarrows scurry about, carrying bedding plants and bougainvilleas, terra cotta planters and potting soil, to the cars and trucks parked on the street. In San Miguel, Candlelaria is the unofficial beginning of spring.

Also on this night, Mexican families have a traditional party. Whatever family member got the baby doll in the rosca de reyes on January 6th has to serve tamales and atole tonight.

February 5 - Constitution Day (legal holiday), marking the ratification of the Mexican Constitution in 1917. Schools, banks, and other bureaucracies are closed, and there is usually a parade somewhere in town.

Note: Since 2006, most legal holidays are now celebrated on the Monday nearest the traditional date.

February 5 - Ash Wednesday. Today marks the beginning of Lent. Special masses in most churches in town. One special food to be on the look out throughout the Lenten season is Capirotada, a delicious and very traditional Mexican bread pudding that includes cheese. It's easy to make at home. Here's a recipe for Capirotada.

February 14 - Valentine's Day - Mexicans more often refer to it as Día de Amistád or Day of Friendship. But for a romantic dinner, reserve well in advance.

February 19 - Day of the Army. Look for military parades.

February 24 - Flag Day. Another patriotic holiday with parades and civic events around the Jardín.

For more information on what's happening and specific times and other details of February events in San Miguel de Allende, check the Que Pasa calendar pages of Atencion San Miguel.

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