Guanajuato
Events
The León Fair
January – February
León
Guanajuato is all about celebration and culture so the Leon Fair is one of the greatest celebrations in the entire country. The fair features special events, rodeo events, theater, beauty contests, forums, music and all types of art exhibits.
The Cervantino International Festival
October
Guanajuato
Without a doubt, this is one of the most important festivals in the country. The origins go back to the tradition of the Guanjuato Theater University, to its repertoire of the Century of Spanish Gold and especially the work of Cervantes. The FIC is one of the most excellent festivals in America. It has participants from around the world. It opens the world of art and mixes cultures and ideas.
UROC Rockcrawling
August
Guanajuato
Rockcrawling is one of the fastest growing motorized sports. It consists of extreme double traction vehicles that cross unimaginable obstacles including 60 degree walls and crevices of more than 2 meters. This sport draws thousands of spectators for a day of family fun. It has everything motor sports enthusiasts could want: the sounds and smells, competition, disasters and the screech of rock and metal. This sport began in 1999 with the creation of the United Rockcrawling and Off-Road Challenge (UROC). This event offers adrenaline and an experience like no other.
World Meeting of the Arts
September
Guanajuato
The Mexican culture is present in the art world in many different manifestations and the artistic expression of foreign artists is also very important. This forum was created to bring together artists from all disciplines and cultures. In addition to the classic art world movie directors, theater directors, library and museum directors, producers, government employees from cultural departments, set designers, as well as promoters, journalists, and critics are also invited. This is a very serious international event.
Short Film Festival
July
Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende
For almost a decade this event has been held in the colonial splendor of Guanjauato. The Short Film Festival is an event of international stature that draws film directors from countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the United States among others.
The objective of this festival is to award the best short films with film making materials and equipment to help further the production of this type of art. It is also a point of convergence for people in this industry to meet and discuss new ideas and developments in their field.
The Wool and Brass Fair
November
San Miguel de Allende
This important local fair is held during the second half of November. Wool and Brass producers from all over the world participate in this event.
Grito de Independencia (Shout of Independence)
All cities in the country
September 15
On the night of September 15, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a catholic priest, called for independence, urging the town to raise arms against the tyranny and excessive abuse of the government of New Spain. This war would last for 11 years and come to an end on September 28, 1821 with the plan of Equality and the triumphant entrance of the "Ejercito Trigarante" (Army of the Three Guarantees) to the City of Mexico. Mexico’s independence is celebrated every year in most of the cities of the republic. In the middle of this great festival, the presidents of the municipalities, the governors and the President shout to the four winds Long live Mexico! Long live Hidalgo! Long live the heroes who gave the mother country its freedom! (among others). A bell then sounds to imitate Hidalgo’s call that night in 1810. The night of September 15th is well known as the night of the shout of independence and is shortened to “The Shout”. Food, fireworks, excitement and much celebration can all be found in one of Mexico’s greatest celebrations. September 16th is a holiday because it is considered the official start date of the war of independence.
Day of the Dead
All cities in the country
November 2
The Day of the Dead celebration is the most important in the nation and is celebrated in various ways throughout the country. Every year, on November 2nd, the cemeteries are full of people bringing their families food, drink, music and company. The cemeteries are turned into places of true celebration…the most folkloric celebration in the Aztec nation.
In general, the Day of the Dead is accompanied by a competition for the best altar. Setups are created to remember the deceased. These include items like photographs, their favorite food and drink and objects that are associated with that person.
Another activity on the Day of the Dead that is also very peculiar is the “skull” competition. The skulls are verses composed to usually be funny by rhyming and making people laugh. The best skull receives the award.
Bakeries also make a special bread for this celebration called “Pan de Muerto” or “Bread of the Dead”. It has a special shape and recipe that is only used on this day.
November 20th, Day of the Revolution
All cities in the country
November 20
On November 20, 1910, the Mexican Social Revolution began. This is an historical date for a country that was seeking a better government, equality and justice. The movement was started by the heroes and visionaries of Mexico, Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata among others. This date is celebrated every year with a parade of soldiers, military personnel, and educational institutions through the streets commemorating the fight for a good cause.
Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
All cities in the country
December 12
December 12th is the most important religious celebration in Mexico. The Virgin of Guadalupe is considered to be a Mexican religious icon because she is said to have appeared on December 12, 1531 on Tepeyac Hill. A beautiful dark-skinned virgin, surrounded by a starry blue cloak, with a brilliant halo and celestial light identified as the Virgin Mary appeared to a native man, Juan Diego.
She requested (in Náhuatl, his native language) he take a message to the bishop asking him to build a temple. Four days after speaking with Juan Diego, the virgin gave him the proof the friars needed to believe the message he carried. She filled his cloak with roses (which would have been impossible to find in that location and at that time of year) and he took the message to the friars again, this time showing them the roses and an image of the virgin in his cloak. When Juan Diego told what he saw in his native language, it sounded very similar to the name Guadalupe. Thus, she became known as the Virgin of Guadalupe. Since then, the image in Juan Diego’s cloak has become a religious icon in Mexico.
So, every December 11th, just before midnight, thousands of people congregate in the sanctuaries of the Virgin of Guadalupe to honor the dark skinned virgin. This important celebration also features all types of food, mariachis, famous singers and much devotion.