December 12 is the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint. It is an official national holiday, and is observed with pilgrimages, special masses, fiestas and feasts.
The vigil is the night before, on December 11, in churches around Guaymas. The biggest celebration will be in Santuario de Guadalupe Church on Blvd. Plaza las Villas (turn right off Garcia Lopez after Ley. Click here for map). There are masses at 8:00pm and 10:00pm and mariachi at midnight for las mañanitas (birthday song) to the Virgin of Guadalupe. There will be traditional food and drink at the fiesta.
On December 11 in San Carlos, there will be a Pilgrimage (parade with young ladies dressed up as the Virgin Mary and angels) from Santa Rosa to the Church of San Carlos Borromeo (map to Church) at 5:00pm followed by a Mass at 6:00pm.
In case you can’t stay up until midnight, you can watch a previous las mañanitas here.
