The World Happiness Fest will take place in San Miguel de Allende on March 16-18, 2018, just before the United Nations’ International Happiness Day on March 20.
“To realize a world with more happiness and less misery, we must make these scientifically proven tools and techniques available to the greatest number of people possible, throughout the world,” said Luis Gallardo, social entrepreneur and founder of the World Happiness Festival. “Happiness is the first step to creating societies that live in peace, with individuals capable of being the best that they can be.”
Institutions around the world, including Gross National Happiness Center of Bhutan, the Instituto del Bienestar Chile (Chile Wellbeing Institute), research centers such as the University of Berkeley Greater Good Science Center, UMindfulness in the University of Miami, Action for Happiness and the Happy Startup in the U.K. and the United States Happiness Alliance, among others support the event.
Gallardo has a goal to make a positive impact on more than 1 billion people throughout the world, over the next 10 years.
Additional plans are in the works to create a deeper impact during the coming years, such as developing both individual and corporate training, forums and festivals like the World Happiness Fest and Happiness Fest.
There’s a lot to love about San Miguel, a colonial treasure anchored by El Jardín, a leafy plaza marked by open-air cafés and the pink Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel church. Art and textiles are big here: Mexicans and expats alike pop into independent boutiques selling artisan-made goods, and no trip is complete without a visit to the Fábrica La Aurora, a former textile factory that’s been converted into a series of contemporary art galleries. Restaurants serving delicious Mexican dishes (rich moles, hot gorditas, stuffed chiles) are tucked along cobblestoned streets lined with historic houses. For one of the best views of the city, make a reservation at the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende’s Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar (this hotel also ranked as the No. 2 City Hotel in the country); margaritas pair well with the chiming church bells at sunset.
An academy will also take a holistic approach to crafting a “happier you” with training that incorporates science, technology, cuisine, art, movement, reflection, intention and music.
There is a reason why San Miguel de Allende is an ideal location for the event. As one of the most sought-after destinations in the world, it was recently named one of the friendliest cities in the world and is also known as one of the best small cities.
The city and the region also offer plenty of opportunities for adventure and self-discovery—keys to any person’s happiness.