El Día de los Locos: A Guide to San Miguel de Allende's Wildest Parade

Every June, the famously serene streets of San Miguel de Allende throw their elegance out the window. For one glorious afternoon, the cobblestones that usually frame quiet courtyards and colonial facades become a riot of papier-mâché monsters, dancing superheroes, costumed politicians, and thousands of spectators ducking to catch fistfuls of candy. This is El Día de los Locos, the Parade of the Crazies, and it is one of the most beloved traditions in all of Guanajuato. We have put together this guide so that you know exactly what you are walking into, where it came from, and how to enjoy it like a local.

Interested in expat health insurance? Click here for a 1-minute quote! Don't worry, it will open in a new page.

Día de los Locos – What Is the Parade of the Crazies?:

El Día de los Locos, also known as the Desfile de los Locos or Convite de los Locos, is an annual costume parade held in San Miguel de Allende, the UNESCO World Heritage city in the state of Guanajuato. The name translates roughly to "Day of the Crazies," and the parade lives up to it. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of costumed participants dance through the historic center, throwing sweets to the crowds while live music and decorated floats fill the streets behind them.

We want to do our part to encourage you to research before you travel, so throughout this article you will see links in blue text (often saying "click here") that connect you to more useful information. Click on them to learn more, because a little preparation goes a long way toward enjoying San Miguel to the fullest.

The celebration falls in the middle of June, anchored to the feast of San Antonio de Padua on June 13th. The main parade takes place on the Sunday that follows the feast day. In 2026, the parade rolled through town on Sunday, June 14th, and it returns every year around the same mid-June weekend. Best of all, it is completely free, since it happens right out in the public streets where anyone is welcome to watch, dance, or simply soak up the chaos.

Día de los Locos – The Origins of the Tradition:

Like many of Mexico's most colorful festivals, the Parade of the Crazies began as something far more solemn than the spectacle you see today. Its roots trace back to the agricultural communities of the Bajío region and a folk tradition known as the Danza de los Hortelanos, the Dance of the Orchard Workers.

– A Harvest Thanksgiving –

San Miguel de Allende sat at the heart of an important farming region during the colonial era. The local hortelanos, the gardeners and orchard workers who tended the fields, would dress up in masks and palm-leaf hats to give thanks for a good harvest. As they danced, they handed out fruit to their neighbors, using the gesture as an invitation to a religious celebration honoring San Pascual Bailón, the patron saint of farmers and dancers, alongside San Isidro Labrador. Over time, this harvest ritual became woven into the feast of San Antonio de Padua, the saint celebrated on June 13th who is also associated with the orchards.

– From Religious Rite to Street Party –

What began as a devotional dance gradually grew into the playful, satirical, citywide parade we know now. Accounts of exactly how old the modern parade is tend to vary, with some sources tracing the organized street version back several decades and others pointing to even earlier community celebrations. What is clear is that the tradition has been a fixture of San Miguel life for generations, blending genuine religious devotion with a healthy dose of humor and creativity. It is a wonderful example of how Mexican folklore stays alive by adapting without ever losing its community heart, much like the traditions behind Día de la Candelaria or Día de los Muertos.

Día de los Locos – Why Do They Call Them "Los Locos"?:

The name has a charming origin story. When the costumed hortelanos first began parading through town in their masks and elaborate getups, onlookers who caught sight of them would shout "¡Ahí vienen los locos!", meaning "Here come the crazies!" The exclamation stuck, and the name has defined the celebration ever since.

It is a perfect little piece of San Miguel folklore, and a fun phrase to add to your collection if you are picking up some Mexican slang. Today the "locos" are not really crazy at all, just ordinary residents and visitors with a tremendous festive spirit and an appetite for dressing up.

Día de los Locos – What to Expect at the Parade:

If you have never seen the Parade of the Crazies, prepare yourself for sensory overload in the best possible way. Here is what fills the streets.

– The Costumes –

The costumes are the entire point, and the creativity on display is genuinely impressive. Participants march as television characters, Hollywood icons, cartoon figures, animals, monsters, superheroes, and, in keeping with the parade's satirical streak, plenty of politicians. Many of the outfits are ingeniously homemade from old clothes, cardboard, papier-mâché, wire, and masking tape, which means no two years ever look the same. Participants often organize into coordinated groups, each one arriving with its own theme, music, and choreography.

– The Candy –

One of the most cherished customs is the throwing of sweets. As the costumed dancers pass, they fling candy and small gifts into the crowd, a tradition that echoes the fruit the original hortelanos once handed out. Children and adults alike scramble for the treats, and seasoned locals come prepared with a clever trick: an umbrella held upside down makes a perfect candy-catching basket.

– The Route and Timing –

The parade traditionally gathers in the late morning near the edge of town, around the area by the Templo de San Antonio and the road out toward Celaya, then winds its way through San Miguel's main streets before finishing at the Jardín Principal, the central square in front of the iconic pink Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. Live music, dancing, and decorated floats accompany the marchers the whole way. The evening before the main event often features a verbena popular, a neighborhood street party, along with fireworks.

Homemade costumes range from cartoon characters to political satire.

Día de los Locos – Tips for Visiting the Parade:

A few practical pointers will help you get the most out of the day:

1. Arrive early. The main streets of the historic center close to vehicle traffic well before the parade begins. Show up several hours ahead to claim a good spot on the sidewalk, especially if you want a shaded one.

2. Plan for the June sun. Mid-June in the Bajío can be hot and bright. Bring sunscreen, a hat, plenty of water, and consider a folding chair if you plan to stake out a spot for a while.

3. Bring an upside-down umbrella. It doubles as shade and as the local-approved tool for catching all that flying candy.

4. Pick your viewing spot. The streets near the starting point by the Celaya exit tend to have the most raw energy, while spots closer to the Jardín Principal put you in the heart of the action at the finish.

5. Mind the parking. If you drive in, arrive early to find street parking, or budget for a paid lot. Better yet, settle into town the night before and skip the hassle entirely.

6. Be a respectful guest. The event is family-friendly and community-driven. If you are invited to join a group or wear a costume, wonderful, but do not crash the parade uninvited. Support the local vendors selling snacks and crafts, and keep things in good taste.

Día de los Locos – Getting to San Miguel de Allende:

San Miguel de Allende sits in the central highlands, roughly 270 kilometers north of Mexico City and about 100 kilometers from the city of Guanajuato. The most convenient way to arrive by air is through the nearby airports in León (BJX) or Querétaro, and you can read our guide on flying to and from San Miguel for the full rundown. Once you are in town, the cobblestone center is best explored on foot, though our overview of bus routes in San Miguel de Allende will help you get around the wider area.

If the parade gives you the itch to stay longer, you would be in excellent company. San Miguel is one of Mexico's most celebrated pueblos mágicos, packed with galleries, rooftop bars, and some of the best shopping in the country. Many expats who come for a festival end up enrolling in one of the language schools in San Miguel and never quite leave. The city's festival calendar is famously full, from the Parade of the Crazies in June to the spectacular El Grito independence celebrations in September.

Día de los Locos – Staying Safe and Healthy in the Crowds:

A massive street party is enormous fun, and it also comes with the ordinary hazards of any large outdoor gathering. The June heat makes dehydration and heat exhaustion a real possibility, the crowds can be dense, and those charming cobblestones are not forgiving if you take a tumble while reaching for candy. We always recommend pacing yourself, staying hydrated, and keeping an eye on children in the crush.

Should anything go wrong, it is reassuring to know that San Miguel has solid medical facilities, including the modern Hospital MAC. Even so, a visit to a private hospital abroad can be costly without the right coverage, which is exactly why we encourage every traveler to sort out health insurance for travel to Mexico before they arrive. Whether you are visiting for a single weekend or settling in as a full-time resident, the right travel health insurance in Mexico means you can throw yourself into the madness with genuine peace of mind.

Día de los Locos – Frequently Asked Questions:

– When is the Día de los Locos parade held? –

The main parade takes place in mid-June, on the Sunday following the feast of San Antonio de Padua on June 13th. In 2026 it was held on Sunday, June 14th, and it returns every year around the same weekend.

– Is the Día de los Locos parade free? –

Yes. The parade runs through the public streets of San Miguel de Allende, so anyone is welcome to watch at no cost.

– What does "Día de los Locos" mean? –

It translates to "Day of the Crazies." The name comes from onlookers who used to shout "¡Ahí vienen los locos!", or "Here come the crazies," when they saw the costumed dancers approaching.

– Can visitors participate in the parade? –

Spectators are always welcome, and the candy-catching and dancing are open to everyone along the route. Joining a costumed group, however, is best done by invitation rather than by jumping in uninvited.

– Where is the best place to watch? –

The streets near the starting point by the Celaya exit have the most energy, while the area around the Jardín Principal puts you at the heart of the finish. Either way, arrive early and find some shade.

Día de los Locos – Conclusion:

El Día de los Locos is San Miguel de Allende at its most joyful and unguarded, a centuries-old harvest blessing that has grown into one of the loudest, most colorful street parties in Mexico. It is the kind of experience that turns a casual visit into a lasting memory, and it captures everything we love about living and traveling in this country: the deep roots, the creativity, and the irresistible sense of community. If you find yourself in the Bajío in June, we cannot recommend it enough.

Before you go, take a minute to make sure you are properly covered. You can get a free quote in about a minute, or schedule a free consultation with one of our brokers to find the plan that fits your trip or your new life abroad. Then grab your upside-down umbrella, and get ready, because here come the locos.