Christmas in oaxaca: how is this december date celebrated?

How is Christmas celebrated in Oaxaca?

Every December 23rd, in the heart of Oaxaca, one of the most peculiar Christmas festivities is celebrated: La Noche de los Rábanos (Night of the Radishes). Starting at five o'clock in the afternoon, Oaxaca's zocalo becomes a showcase of art, where local artisans exhibit amazing figures carved in large radishes.

Keep in mind that if you want to get to know Oaxaca during the Christmas season, you can do so with car rental. This option will also allow you to get to know the city not only on this particular date, but throughout the year. What is the Night of the Radishes?

The Night of the Radishes is a traditional contest that takes place every December 23rd in Oaxaca's Plaza de la Constitución. Starting at five o'clock in the afternoon, it begins with the installation of an exhibition and sale of radish figures that participate in the contest. In addition, in recent years, the event has been enriched with the inclusion of figures made with immortal flower or everlasting flower and corn leaf.

What is the origin of the Night of the Oaxaca Radishes?

The origin of this Oaxacan tradition dates back to 1897, when Don Francisco Vasconcelos, then municipal president, promoted the creation of this event with the purpose of encouraging the development of floriculture and horticulture.

Although its popularity in its early years ensured that it was celebrated every December 24, the process of urbanization and the adoption of new technologies have influenced both the way of making the figures and the original spirit of this custom.

The success of that first event gave rise to a series of contests that eventually moved to the Zócalo. At the beginning, the creole radish, famous for its robustness and peculiar shapes, dominated the sculptures. However, the arrival of new varieties allowed the development of techniques that were more ornamental than sculptural.

On what is the free category based on the Night of the Radishes?

The creation of figures in the Noche de los Rábanos is a challenging process that requires specific skills. Selecting the right radishes and working within the strict time frame of the competition are tasks that only committed families of craftsmen manage to accomplish successfully.

A fundamental question arises from this: how to keep the cultural and artistic richness of the Noche de Rábanos alive without sacrificing actual creativity? Some suggest increasing the prizes in the free category as a way to ensure that the tradition is not overshadowed by the desire for financial rewards.

Since 1897, this Oaxacan tradition has been an essential part of the city's identity. However, the challenges are not only limited to adapting the horticulturists to the current context; there is also a growing influence of modern sculpting techniques.

The participation of artists and students of plastic arts has led the organizers to create a free category, which seeks to stimulate originality without sacrificing the traditional essence of the Night of the Radishes. Recently, the festivity has expanded to include works made with immortal flower and corn husk, as mentioned above, thus diversifying the techniques employed. Previously, the event focused on typical desserts made with local sweets and fruits.

However, the plant used for these desserts has disappeared and its seeds have been lost. In the early days of the contest, participants used the natural shapes of the radishes, making cuts and assemblies that resulted in pieces so impressive that they were immortalized by Diego Rivera in his work “Las tentaciones de San Antonio” (The Temptations of San Antonio).

What other traditions are there in Oaxaca during the Christmas season?

With the arrival of December, the streets and businesses of the city are decorated with lights and colors, creating a festive atmosphere that anticipates the celebration of Christmas in Oaxaca.

Days before Christmas, the streets of downtown and several neighborhoods of the city are filled with the traditional posadas, and sometimes you can also see some calenda. One of the most outstanding ones takes place on December 24 in the afternoon-evening, in the direction of the Oaxaca Cathedral.

Another important festivity during this season is December 18, in which homage is paid to Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, patron saint of Oaxaca City.

The festivities begin on the 16th with a mass at 6 pm, followed by a calenda that goes through several streets of the city. On the night of the 17th a fireworks display is burned in the atrium, while on the 18th a mass is celebrated in honor of the virgin.

What to do in Oaxaca during the Christmas season?

Besides celebrating the typical traditions of Oaxaca, there are other activities you can do in the city during December. Remember that there are not only interesting activities during this season, you can also tour the best places in Oaxaca throughout the year and marvel at this Mexican city.

Both day and night, you can immerse yourself in a tour of the streets and neighborhoods that are dressed in Christmas lights and decorations, filling every corner with magic and festive color. Be sure to explore the seasonal markets, which offer a wide variety of products unique to the season, ideal for gifts or just to enjoy the Christmas spirit. Take your camera and capture these special moments in every place you visit!

Near downtown Oaxaca, you will find the colorful and bohemian Jalatlaco neighborhood, which invites you to explore. During the Christmas season, its streets are transformed with lights and festive decorations, creating a magical atmosphere. Strolling through its cobblestone streets is an unmissable experience that will make you feel the essence of Oaxaca at its most luminous time.

Just a 50-minute drive from Oaxaca City is San Pablo Villa de Mitla, a destination that comes to life every year with the Villa Mágica (Magic Village). During this celebration, the town is dressed in lights and colors: the decorated streets create an enchanting atmosphere, and there are musical events, local crafts and multiple lighting sets to capture unforgettable photos. In addition, here you can enjoy a giant illuminated nativity scene, perfect for the whole family. If you are traveling with little ones, they will find a space full of Christmas magic and special moments.

If you don't have your own vehicle to visit these enchanting places, don't worry! With car rental in Oaxaca, you will be able to visit all these places where Christmas takes on importance.