January 1, New Year's Day

New Year's Day is a public holiday with few events scheduled as most people are at home recovering from the festivities of the previous night.

January 3, Commemoration of the birthdays of Juan Aldama González and Juan José de los Reyes Martínez Amaro (“El Pipila”)

As you might have guessed, "Aldama" street, which ends at the Jardin,  was named after this man, Juan Aldama Gonzalez, who fought as a revolutionary soldier during the Mexican War of Independence.  In case your history is a little rusty, this war was fought in 1810 to gain independence from Spain.                         

Ever wonder why that guy in the glorietta near Mega is carrying a big rock on his back? A lot of local people call this glorietta "El Pipila", a nickname of Juan José de los Reyes Martínez Amaro, another hero in the War of Independence.  At the beginning of the war, a group of Spanish soldiers had taken refuge in a stone fortress with a wooden door. Brave "Pipila" tied a huge, flat stone onto his back as protection against enemy muskets and set fire to the door, which he and the other rebel soldiers were then able to storm.

Happy Birthday to two brave heroes of the Independence!

January 5, Three Kings Market

Located along Calzada de Guadalupe, this is a once-a-year event in which local vendors set up stands along the street starting in the early afternoon and stay open all night long. Toys, backpacks, sweets and other Three Kings Day gifts for children are sold.

January 6, Three Kings Day (Día de Tres Reyes/Magos)

Also known as Epiphany, on this day children are given gifts in memory of the gifts given to the baby Jesus by the Magi.  In the days leading up to the 6th, children often write letters to the three kings requesting a gift, and can sometimes get their picture taken with them (sound familiar?).  The night before, the three kings are placed in the nativity scene, and children anxiously await morning to see what gifts the kings have brought them.

Beginning about a week before Three Kings Day, you will see loaves of Rosca de Reyes all around town.  This is a special sweet bread in the shape of a wreath with little candied fruits on top.  It also has one or more little plastic baby Jesus' baked into it, which diners try to avoid, unless they are anxious to be the official "tamale bringers" of the February 2nd Candelaria party (see February events).

January 17, Blessing of the Animals

On this day, Mexicans bring their animals of every type to the local priest to receive a blessing.  You can watch a short video of animals in San Miguel being blessed here.  This is also the day that  "St. Anthony the Abbott" (San Antonio Abad) died.  He is considered the founder of monastic life.

January 21, General Ignacio Allende's Birthday

Another hero of the War of Independence who is remembered this month is General Ignacio Allende.  As you might have guessed, the city of San Miguel de Allende was named after him. To see a video of the annual parade in his honor, click here.

January 24, Arrival of Pilgrims for the Pilgrimage to San Juan de los Lagos

Every year at this time thousands of "pilgrims" on their way to venerate a statue called "Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos" arrive in San Miguel.  "Our Lady" resides in a church in Jalisco, Mexico, and  is known for performing miracles of healing. Somewhere between 7-9 million worshippers seek her out yearly. The pilgrims entering San Miguel are welcomed in with great fanfare, and sent on their way from the train station with equal enthusiasm, along with the "new" pilgrims from San Miguel who will join them. Click here to watch a video of part of the pilgrimage.

January 28 (runs for 2 weeks), Candelaria

If it feels like Christmas time goes well into the New Year here in Mexico…it does! Celebrations aren't officially over until after February 2, a day in English known as Candlemas.   On this day, a party is held to mark the 40th day after the birth of Jesus, the day in which he would have been taken to the Jewish temple as a baby. Tamales are brought by the person(s) who "found" the baby Jesus in the Rosca de Reyes on Three Kings Day (see January).  

Traditionally,  the Baby Jesus is given new clothes and nativity scenes are put away until the following year. If you are observant, you will see some very fancily dressed Baby Jesus' being carried to church to receive a blessing on this day.

Candelaria also marks the beginning of Spring and is the name given to the giant plant sale held annually in Parque Juarez.  For several weeks following January 28th, during both day and nighttime hours, the park is filled to the brim with every kind of plant imaginable, and a huge assortment of pots are for sale in the basketball courts.  It makes for great park strolling and even better garden shopping. Watch a video of this sale here.