Things to do in San Miguel de Allende

18 activities, venues and outings in San Miguel de Allende, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Audubon Society Birdwalks
The only chapter of the Audubon Society in Mexico, this group offers guided birdwalks to locations within and near San Miguel. Destinations include the El Charco del Ingenio Jardín Botánico (see listing above), the Río Laja, and the Presa Allende. Participants travel by carpool.
Meets on the 3rd Sun of every month at 07:45 in front of the Instituto Allende (see listing under 'Learn')
Do
Bici-Burro Cycling
A bike shop that has operated in San Miguel since 1963. They offer bike rentals and biking or hiking tours with guides that hold an intimate knowledge of the area around San Miguel. You have the choice of seven bike tours and two hiking trips which take you amongst natural landmarks and some of the historical ruins of the area. These are of varying degrees of difficulty and range from 5 to 8 hours. The bicycle tours include a 2-speed aluminum mountain bike with helmet, gloves and transportation if needed.
Do
Club de Golf Malanquin
18-hole, par 72 golf course with a large club house with restaurant, bar, and event spaces. Recreational amenities include tennis courts, swimming pool, spa, and pickleball courts.
Daily 06:30 - 21:00
Do
El Charco del Ingenio Jardín Botánico
Jardín Botánico
Unique park above the town with an enormous collection of cacti. A vast area just past the Balcones area which includes some of the older engineering installations (an old mill and raceway), lovely canyons, well informed guides (mostly expats) for the botanists and birdwatchers. Go early in the day to avoid the heat and for more wildlife. Locals who are members are sometimes given a key to the back gate – find one and buy him beers until he relents! The reservoir is host to a number of migratory birds, and the locals can be rather stunning as well. Guided tours are offered.
Daily 09:00-18:00
Do
Escondido Place
The day ticket is for M$190 (Jan 2022). For getting there you can do it the same way as going to La Gruta. From the bus stop it's a 12-min walk. You can bring your own food. Locks for the lockers and towels are only for sale, but you can bring your own. It's open daily until 17:00.
Do
Parque Juarez
Benito Juarez Park
This well-used park is comprised of many old fruit orchards, and is now a favored nesting area for white egrets.
Do
SoTeZ Horse Ranch
Stable offering guided horseback rides over gentle terrain. Friendly guides and well-mannered horses.
Mon-Sat 08:00 - 19:00, closed Sun
Do
Teatro Angela Peralta
Named after a famous Mexican opera singer who inaugurated the theater in 1873, this is one of San Miguel's principal venues for concerts and performances. It is not normally open to the public except during events.
Do Not mapped
Coyote Canyon Adventures
Offers horseback riding, hiking, biking, rappelling, camping, four-wheeler (ATV), hot air ballooning, boating, Cañada de la Virgen pyramid tours, and multi-day cross country adventures. Their guides lead you safely through working cattle ranches, into canyons, through rivers, over plains, across gorges, and down sheer cliffs, all the while sharing with you their in-depth knowledge of the native flora and fauna.
Do Not mapped
Día de Muertos
The Day of the Dead is one of the most notable Mexican holidays, and of course also celebrated in this city with processions, altars to commemorate loved ones that have passed, colorful sugar skulls and other similar paraphernalia. Also, the Calaca Festival with art performances and exhibitions takes place during these days.
1-4 November
Do Not mapped
Día de San Miguel Arcángel
St Michael's Feast Day
A week of festivities celebrating the Feast Day of San Miguel's patron saint.
Late September
Do Not mapped
Expresión de Corto
An annual short film festival, co-hosted by the nearby city of Guanajuato. Hundreds of films from nearly all genres are screened in venues including the Jardín and in the Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez. Most films are subtitled in Spanish and English.
Last week of JulyFree
Do Not mapped
Fiesta de los Locos
Feast of Fools
This annual parade is unique to San Miguel, with thousands of participants clothed in outlandish and colorful costumes and tossing candy into crowds of spectators. The parade begins around 11:30 at the Templo of San Antonio and winds its way up Hernández Macías, Insurgentes, and San Francisco Núñez before terminating at the Jardín.
The first Sun after 13 June (feast day of St Anthony of Padua)Free
Do Not mapped
Guided birdwalks
Tours are conducted in English, and meet inside the main entrance.
1st and 3rd Wed of every month 09:00-11:30
Do Not mapped
San Miguel Chamber Music Festival
Festival de Música de Cámara de San Miguel de Allende
An annual festival featuring internationally renowned quartets and soloists. Concerts are held in a number of venues, including the Teatro Angela Peralta.
Late July and early August
Do Not mapped
Independence Day
Día de la Independencia de México
16 September
Do Not mapped
International Festival of Jazz & Blues
Festival Internacional de Jazz & Blues
Mid-November
Do Not mapped
Semana Santa
Holy Week
Celebrated with impressive and touching parades.
The week before Easter

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to San Miguel de Allende (CC BY-SA 4.0).