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The Hacienda Paperie

La Alborada: Four Days of Fire, Faith, and Fiesta in San Miguel de Allende

The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel glows against a smoky, dark sky during La Alborada in San Miguel de Allende. A crowd stands before the church, wrapped in warm clothing, while a bronze statue of a monk watches over the scene. The church's spires reach upward, framed by smoke from the fireworks that have just erupted.

These photos were taken on a Sunday night, during the grand finale of one of San Miguel de Allende’s most magical celebrations. But the festival begins much earlier—four days before, in the very early hours of Thursday morning. That’s when La Alborada begins. Around 4 a.m., fireworks light up the sky while most of the town is still asleep, marking the start of the celebration for San Michael the Archangel, the city’s protector. It’s a powerful moment—loud, joyful, and full of devotion.

In the days that follow, the town comes alive with music, parades, and prayer. Tall wooden firework towers, called castillos, are built in the main square. The smell of incense floats through the streets, and people gather with excitement and reverence. As Sunday approaches, the energy grows. Families fill the Jardin, children eat sweet bread, and the pink Parroquia glows in the soft light. Everyone waits for the big finale—but no one is in a rush. This is a celebration of both joy and patience, of holding tradition close.

Then the sky opens. Fireworks burst in red and green above the church, lighting up the night with color and sound. The castillos spin and crackle, sending sparks into the air. Smoke drifts through the crowd, and the bells ring out loud and clear. For a few breathtaking moments, it feels like time pauses. San Miguel celebrates not just with fire and noise, but with heart. And once you’ve seen La Alborada, it stays with you—like a light that doesn’t go out.

A crowd gathers in anticipation as tall, handcrafted firework towers (toritos) stand against the night sky, their colorful geometric patterns glowing softly. Sparks flicker from their base as smoke rises, with the silhouette of San Michael the Archangel traced in pyrotechnic wire. A firefighter stands in the foreground, ready for the eruption of fireworks during San Miguel de Allende's La Alborada celebration.
In San Miguel de Allende, toritos stand ready to ignite, their sparks and colors echoing the sacred energy of La Alborada—a celebration of fire, devotion, and light.
Fireworks explode in red and green above the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel during La Alborada in San Miguel de Allende. The church's rose gold spires catch the light, and smoke curls through the air, creating a breathtaking contrast between the vibrant sky and the illuminated architecture.
Above San Miguel de Allende, fireworks bloom in the night, illuminating the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel in a fiery tribute to La Alborada—where light, sound, and devotion ignite the soul of the city.
The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel glows against a smoky, dark sky during La Alborada in San Miguel de Allende. A crowd stands before the church, wrapped in warm clothing, while a bronze statue of a monk watches over the scene. The church's spires reach upward, framed by smoke from the fireworks that have just erupted.
In the heart of La Alborada, the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel stands illuminated, a beacon of faith and tradition as fireworks fill the sky, and the community gathers in reverence beneath its towering spires.
Fireworks illuminate the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, as La Alborada fills the night with light, reverence, and celebration.

These moments were captured at the grand finale of the Saint Michael the Archangel and San Miguel de Allende city celebration on September 29th, 2024. It was a night filled with dazzling fireworks, reverent celebration, and the city’s spirit shining through in every spark of light.

For more stories and insights, explore the timeless charm of San Miguel de Allende and other captivating colonial cities. Each one offers a unique blend of history, culture, and beauty, waiting to be uncovered with every step.