Fiesta del Señor de los Afligidos en El Llanito 2027

On the first day of each year, thousands of pilgrims make their way to the small community of El Llanito, just outside Dolores Hidalgo, for the Fiesta del Señor de los Afligidos — the feast of the Lord of the Afflicted. It is a day of thanksgiving, renewal, and petition, when the faithful come to give thanks for the year that has ended and to ask for relief from illness and hardship in the year ahead.

The devotion centers on the image of Christ afflicted and crowned with thorns, housed in the Santuario del Señor de los Afligidos. The present sanctuary was built between 1777 and 1779, and its vaulted interior is covered in tempera murals attributed to José Antonio Martínez de Pocasangre, the celebrated novohispano painter best known for his work at the nearby Sanctuary of Atotonilco.

The Celebration

The feast combines solemn devotion with the joy of a popular fiesta. The day begins with early-morning masses and continues with processions, traditional regional dances, and juegos pirotécnicos — fireworks that light the sky into the night. Food stalls line the approaches to the sanctuary, and families gather for a full day of celebration.

• Masses celebrated throughout the day
• Traditional dances and processions
• Fireworks (juegos pirotécnicos)
• Food stalls and family gatherings

Practical Information

El Llanito lies about 15 minutes from the center of Dolores Hidalgo and roughly one hour from San Miguel de Allende. Parking near the sanctuary fills early on the feast day, so plan to arrive ahead of the morning masses. The event is free and open to all, and visitors are welcome to observe the masses and dances respectfully. This is one of the Bajío’s most moving expressions of popular Catholic faith — a fitting way to begin the new year.