November 1, Day of the Dead (Part 1)

Also known as All Saints Day and the beginning of the Day of the Dead celebrations, this day honors children who have died.  The cemetery (just behind Ancha San Antonio and after Cinco de Mayo) begins to fill up in the afternoon, with flower and food vendors crowding the surrounding area.  By evening the line to get in will be hours long, so plan accordingly.  

Inside, families will set up camp for a few hours or the whole night, picnicking and remembering their loved ones, both young and old, who have passed. Altars are elaborate and beautiful, and you might never see death in quite the same way again.

As if there wasn't enough going on at the cemetery, you'll want to take a walk to the Jardin as well. The entire square is decorated with incredibly intricate displays of natural artwork – images honoring the dead made entirely of seeds, leaves and flowers.  There are traditional dance and musical performances, as well as the catrina parade, where the walking dead are dressed to the nines for the party in their honor.

Be on the look out for Day of the Dead altars, celebrations and supplies for your own home altar beginning at least a week before Nov. 1.  Everything you need, from papel picado (those colorful squares of cut paper) to pan de muerto (the official bread of this holiday) can be found at a special market located next to the Plaza Civica (about half way up Mesones).

November 2, Day of the Dead (Part 2)

Celebrations continue today, honoring adults who have died.  It's a good time to walk around town and see the public altars; don't forget to look inside hotels, restaurants, and the library. To watch two short videos of some iconic images of this holiday here in San Miguel, go here and here.

International Festival of Jazz and Blues, mid November

Since its inception in 1994, the International Festival of Jazz and Blues has grown to include musical performances, student workshops and exhibitions. 

Over the years the festival has hosted greats such as the Joey Calderazzo Trio, Donald Edwards, Alfred Thompson, and King Solomon Hicks, as well as local favorites.

November 20, Revolution Day

This official holiday marks the beginning of the Mexican revolution in 1910 (think Poncho Villa), in which Francisco I. Madero called for a national uprising against General Porfirio Diaz, who had been the dictator of Mexico for 30 years.  War broke out, and although fighting continued until 1920, the Constitution which is in effect today was a result of this revolution. For more details about this holiday, go here.