July Events in
San Miguel de Allende

I n July, events in San Miguel de Allende focus mostly on religious celebrations and film. The main event is the weather. Everyone seems to be outside, enjoying the long, warm days while waiting for the rain to begin—it usually starts by mid-afternoon.

Personally, I love to walk in the rain in San Miguel. The downpour is never cold; more like a strong but tepid shower. I just remind myself that my skin is waterproof and my clothes will dry, and then I enjoy it. But then, I also love to wait it out under the portales with the rest of the crowd, peeking out at the sheets of water turning the hilly streets into swift if temporary rivers. There's always something of a party mood among the watching crowd—sort of a "we're all in this together" atmosphere.

Once the rain stops, the sun comes out and dries things up quickly, leaving behind the sparkling jewel that is San Miguel de Allende, shining in air as crystalline as glass.

So the main July event in San Miguel de Allende may be the weather, but the calendar is still chock full of interesting things to do, ranging from lectures to gallery openings, authors' readings to walking tours. Here are the regularly recurring annual events in July.

Early July - International Guitar Festival. This events brings world-class guitar performers from around the world to San Miguel for performances throughout the city. The festival also features master classes, informal jam sessions, lectures and an exhibition of instuments.

July 16 - Fiesta of The Virgin of Carmen. A series of religious celebrations honoring the Carmelite virgin continues into the month.

Third Sunday in July (movable) - The Feast of Atotonilco. The village, just seven miles from San Miguel, is site of a wildly colorful small church dating to the mid-1700s. Virtually every inch of the walls and ceiling of the church and chapels is covered with fresco paintings, giving it the nickname "Sistine Chapel of the Americas." Scenes from the life and resurrection of Jesus mingle with saints and martyrs, angels, demons, flowers and fruits. So vivid and overpowering are these images, that I always feel as if the walls of the church are actually alive and dancing around me as I stand still.

Pilgrims come to the church from all over the state and beyond, many wearing colorful traditional costumes. Conchero dancers in their huge plumed headdresses perform, and the fiesta includes food, music and, of course, fireworks. This is my favorite July event in San Miguel de Allende. A visit to Atotonilco is an absolute must for visitors at any time of year, but if you're in San Miguel in July, don't miss this festival.

July 20-29 (2007) - "Expresión en Corto" International Short Film Festival. This annual festival, celebrating its eleventh season in 2007, has built an enviable reputation for the diversity and quality of the short films presented. It's held each summer in San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City. The purpose of the festival is to stimulate production of short films and reward quality film-making. Last year's winning entries came from eight different countries. For more information, visit Expresión en Corto.

July 26 - Feast of Santa Ana (Saint Anne's Day). The church next to the Biblioteca Pública is devoted to the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Christ. Special services for the saint's day are held here.

July 30 - Anniversary of the death of Padre Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Padre Hidalgo, a creole priest known as the Father of Mexican Independence, was shot to death in Chihuahua on this day in 1811.

For more detailed information about July events in San Miguel de Allende and activities, check the Current Activities pages (coming soon).

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