Día de Muertos in San Miguel: How We Celebrate and What to Do This Year
Día de Muertos brings San Miguel de Allende to life with altars, flowers, special dinners, gatherings, and events throughout town. There’s no single way to experience it: some of us dress up for a night out, while others visit public altars, gather with friends, or welcome children to the door.
Here’s how we each celebrate and what we look forward to most, followed by our picks for the best Día de Muertos events and things to do around San Miguel this year.
Julie: Dressing Up and Sharing the City
Julie loves attending the special dinners hosted by restaurants and hotels around San Miguel. These events often sell out, so she recommends making a reservation as soon as one catches your eye.
She also makes time to walk through town, taking in the public altars in the Jardín and the displays created by local businesses, cultural institutions, and families. When she visits the cemetery, she observes quietly and respectfully.
Getting ready is part of the fun. Julie has a local makeup artist create her Catrina look at home, then completes it with a headpiece, outfit, and jewelry from designer Claudia Bo.
Most of all, she loves having visitors in town for Día de Muertos and sharing the celebrations with them.
Ann: Altars, House Parties, and Dressing Up
This year, Ann plans to celebrate at a private house party where everyone dresses up. In past years, she has attended Hotel Matilda’s Cena Negra, along with other parties and celebrations around town.
At home, Ann creates a personal altar. She has also helped put together the annual altar at the CDR San Miguel office. Halloween is part of the season for her family, too, especially when the children dress up and join the festivities.
Her advice for visitors? Don’t worry if you haven’t planned an elaborate outfit. A simple black dress can be the starting point; once you arrive, you can shop locally for a headpiece, jewelry, and other accessories. Makeup artists also set up in streets, hotels, and shops during the celebrations, offering plenty of ways to complete a Catrina look.
“There are so many options,” Ann says. “Don’t stress. Once you are here, you can easily put everything together and join the celebration.”
Nancy: Welcoming the Neighborhood
Nancy’s traditions bring together Día de Muertos and the Halloween festivities that have grown in her neighborhood.
Decorating her front door for the season has become a cherished yearly tradition. She used to make homemade cookies for the children who stopped by, but these days, close to 100 trick-or-treaters may visit—so she keeps plenty of candy ready. With little traffic and a mix of Mexican and international families, her neighborhood has become a welcoming place for everyone to celebrate together.
Nancy also enjoys walking through the Centro to see the altars. At home, she finds personal ways to remember loved ones, including the pets who have been part of her family.
Make Time for More Than One Experience
A special dinner or party can make for a memorable night, but leave time to see the public altars, too. Walk through town, visit cultural displays, and make space for both the festive atmosphere and the remembrance at the heart of Día de Muertos.
For a deeper look at the traditions and how to take part respectfully, read Beyond the Catrina: How to Celebrate Día de Muertos Respectfully in San Miguel de Allende
What to Do for Día de Muertos in San Miguel This Year
From October 1 through November 2, Hacienda El Santuario presents the fourth edition of its Día de Muertos festival, “Death Within Life,” inspired by Frida Kahlo.
The month-long celebration brings together Mexican art, food, music and tradition. Highlights include workshops in cartonería, painting, cempasúchil crowns, alfeñiques and Pan de Muerto, along with tamale making, tequila tasting, live music and festive Coyoacán-style evenings. Guests can also attend Sunday brunches, learn about traditional Otomí coffee preparation and experience a special dinner honoring ancestors.
A grand ofrenda and seasonal Día de Muertos menu will be available throughout the festival.
October 1–November 2
Location: Hacienda El Santuario, Aldama 41
Reservations: +52 415 104 1602
Instagram: @hbssantuariosma
Join Panio for a special hands-on Día de Muertos experience inside its bakery. Learn the history and symbolism of Pan de Muerto, discover the secrets behind its preparation, and bake your own loaf to place on an altar or share with someone special.
Beginners are welcome, groups are kept small, and no previous baking experience is required.
October 29 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Location: Panio Atelier, Salida a Celaya 69
Visit their website to book your spot
Celebrate the season creatively with a hands-on workshop at Museo La Esquina, San Miguel's toy museum. Participants can make Catrina masks, papier-mâché skeletons, clay Catrinas, puppets, miniature altars, ceramic mugs, clay skulls, or traditional sugar skulls. This is a fun and affordable option for both children and adults.
Space is limited, and some workshops are subject to availability.
October 1–November 15
Location: Museo La Esquina, Núñez 40
Reservations: WhatsApp +52 415 100 3115
Celebrate Día de Muertos with an elegant evening on the Rosewood Lawn. Enjoy live culinary stations, an open bar, live music, a DJ, and a festive Catrina and Catrín costume contest. Shared tables invite guests to come together and enjoy the celebration.
November 2 at 8:00 p.m.
Location: Hotel Rosewood Lawn
Reservations are available through the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende website.
Discover contemporary Mexican design during InFactory’s special Día de Muertos pop-up at Casa Rosa Bugambilia. Fashion, jewelry, home décor, and exciting new creations from Mexican designers—all in one beautiful concept store in the heart of San Miguel.
October 30–November 2
Location: Casa Rosa Bugambilia, Hidalgo 35
Instagram: @casarosabugambilia @infactorymx
We’ll keep updating this post throughout October as more Día de Muertos events are announced, so check back for the latest additions.
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