Night of the Radishes in Oaxaca on Wednesday 23 December

MEXICO · CHRISTMAS TRADITION

The Night of the Radishes returns to Oaxaca on Wednesday 23 December 2026, as growers carve radishes into scenes in the square. For US readers it is a free Christmas spectacle in a UNESCO World Heritage city.

The city counted last year’s night as its 128th edition, so 2026 should be the 129th. This Night of the Radishes guide covers when to go, the 2025 programme, flights from the United States and safety.

What the Night of the Radishes Is and Why It Matters

The Night of the Radishes, or Noche de Rábanos in Spanish, is a contest held every 23 December in Oaxaca de Juárez. Growers and artisans carve radishes, dried flowers and corn husks into detailed scenes.

The tradition dates to 1897, when Mayor Francisco Vasconcelos made it an official competition. Before that, market growers had shaped radishes into odd figures to draw Christmas shoppers to their stalls.

In 2025 the city counted 137 works. Prizes covered Traditional, Free, Youth and Children categories, with works of radish, dried immortelle flowers and totomoxtle, dried corn husks.

Only residents of Oaxaca state may compete, and entrants receive their radishes free, Mexico News Daily reported after the 2024 edition. The radishes are grown for the contest and last only hours before they wilt, according to the Dondeir events guide.

Last year’s top Traditional prize went to Heriberto Pavel Méndez Aquino for a scene of the Devil Dance of Juxtlahuaca. The city published the full list of winners on the night itself.

State tourism officials forecast more than 18,000 visitors in 2025, with hotels about 69% full, NVI Noticias reported. They put spending above 41 million pesos (about US$2.2 million at 18.44 pesos per dollar on Wednesday 21 October 2026).

When to Go and What to Expect on the Day

The Night of the Radishes falls on Wednesday 23 December 2026. The venue is the Zócalo, officially the Plaza de la Constitución, in the historic centre of Oaxaca de Juárez.

In 2025 the exhibition opened to the public at 15:00 (3 in the afternoon) and ran until 21:00. A folk-dance show about planting and harvest followed at 16:00, state tourism officials told NVI Noticias.

A parade opened the festivities on Monday 22 December 2025, the day before, at 18:00. It left the Fuente de las Ocho Regiones and ended at the Templo de La Merced.

The parade had eight music bands and more than 400 participants. A concert at the Alameda de León followed, NVI Noticias reported.

The city’s own bulletin says the mayor and the governor walked the aisles on the official tour. They viewed the works one by one.

Around the square, expect an evening fair with regional food and drink. México Desconocido magazine lists buñuelos, nieves, regional sweets and mezcal, plus a lottery game called cotompinto.

Entry to the Night of the Radishes exhibition was free in 2025, according to the Dondeir events guide. We found no ticket sale for it.

Expect a long wait at the Night of the Radishes. The A Year in Oaxaca newsletter saw lines thousands deep in 2024 and skipped a wait of three hours or more.

Its tip was to stand on the outer edge of the square, on the restaurant side of the metal barriers. The view is partly blocked, but it avoids the wait.

Arrive early, because the exhibition opens in the afternoon. Dondeir advises coming early to see the carvings before the biggest crowds build.

Getting to Oaxaca and Moving Around

El Universal Oaxaca listed nonstop flights to three US cities in October 2025. They were Dallas/Fort Worth with American Airlines, Houston with United Airlines and Los Angeles with Volaris.

Schedules change often, so check the airlines before you book. The same paper listed Mexico City, served by Aeroméxico, Volaris and Viva Aerobús, among the domestic routes.

Book early for the Night of the Radishes, because Christmas week is busy. State officials projected hotels above 71% full across the state’s main destinations from 19 December 2025 to 11 January 2026.

Stay in or near the historic centre, since the Zócalo is the heart of the action. On the night itself, walking is the easiest way to get around that area.

The municipality of Oaxaca de Juárez lies 1,500 to 3,200 metres (4,900 to 10,500 feet) above sea level, says statistics office INEGI. Pack a warm layer for the evening.

The Zócalo is ringed by colonial-era buildings with restaurants and has a large permanent bandstand at its centre. During the radish show the booths sit around the edge of the square.

The historic centre and the nearby Monte Albán ruins form a UNESCO World Heritage site, listed in 1987. The State Department names both among the Oaxaca places without travel restrictions.

Tips for US and Foreign Visitors

US citizens need a visa only for stays of more than 180 days, according to the State Department. When you arrive, Mexican immigration officials decide how long you may stay.

To fly in, you need a passport book, because a passport card cannot be used to board a plane. At international airports Mexico issues a digital immigration form, and you may be sent through a self-service E-Gate.

Declare cash above US$10,000 on entry and on exit. E-cigarettes and vaping liquids may not be brought into Mexico.

The State Department rates Oaxaca state at Level 2, exercise increased caution, citing terrorism and crime. It says there are no restrictions on travel for Oaxaca City, Monte Albán, Puerto Escondido or Huatulco.

US government employees may not travel to the Isthmus region of Oaxaca. They also may not use Highway 200 between Pinotepa and the Oaxaca-Guerrero border.

The department’s Mexico pages show two issue dates, 29 May 2026 for the advisory and 11 August 2026 for the entry guidance. Check both again before you fly.

Crowds are the main risk on the night. On 22 December 2023, before the parade, a stand in front of the cathedral collapsed and injured 13 people, El Universal reported.

Avoid temporary stands that look overloaded, and keep to open ground when the square fills. Keep your phone and wallet in front pockets in the crush.

The State Department warns that protesters in Mexico may block roads, bridges or toll booths. Allow extra time for airport transfers and bus trips over the holidays.

Oaxaca stays on Central time, UTC-6, all year under Mexico’s 2022 time-zone law, which ended daylight saving outside the northern border. New York is on UTC-5 in December, so Oaxaca is one hour behind.

Make It a Longer Trip

Food is part of the draw, and one 2025 prize went to a totomoxtle scene celebrating the moles of Oaxaca’s eight regions. Our Mexican food guide lists 25 dishes and where to eat them.

Our Oaxaca city guide and our Oaxaca events guide for 12 to 31 October 2026 cover the rest of the city. If you continue to Mexico City, our Virgin of Guadalupe guide covers 12 December.

What Is Not Confirmed Yet

The city has not published the 2026 Night of the Radishes programme, so hours, the parade date and any concerts are unconfirmed. The times above come from the 2025 edition.

The number of entries and the prize amounts for 2026 are not published. Only Oaxaca-state residents can compete, so visitors cannot enter the contest.

Entry was free in 2025, but we found no 2026 statement on access, queue management or paid seating. Check the Oaxaca de Juárez municipality’s official channels in December.

Late-December flight schedules and hotel rates for 23 December have not been verified. Confirm both with the airlines and hotels before you book.

More: Mexico news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Night of the Radishes in 2026?

The Night of the Radishes is held every 23 December, which in 2026 is Wednesday. It takes place in the Zócalo of Oaxaca de Juárez.

Is the Night of the Radishes free?

Entry to the exhibition was free in 2025, according to the Dondeir events guide. No 2026 access rules have been announced yet.

Is Oaxaca safe for US visitors, and do I need a visa?

US citizens need a visa only for stays of more than 180 days. The State Department rates Oaxaca at Level 2, exercise increased caution, with no restrictions on Oaxaca City.

Sources: Municipio de Oaxaca de Juárez, Noche de Rábanos 2025: Oaxaca de Juárez celebra su tradición más emblemática (official bulletin), 23 December 2025; NVI Noticias, Edición número 128. Brillará Oaxaca con la Noche de Rábanos (state tourism figures), 23 December 2025; NVI Noticias, Oaxaca deslumbra en la Noche de Rábanos 2025, 24 December 2025; Visit Mexico, Noche de Rábanos (23 December 2026 listing), accessed 21 October 2026; Dondeir, Vive la Noche de Rábanos en Oaxaca este 2025, 4 December 2025; Mexico News Daily, First look: the winners of Mexico’s quirkiest Christmas competition, 24 December 2024; A Year in Oaxaca, Night of the Radishes: A Oaxacan Christmas Tradition, 26 December 2024; México Desconocido, Noche de Rábanos en Oaxaca, updated 2023; El Universal, Colapsan gradas previo a desfile de la Noche de Rábanos en Oaxaca; hay 13 heridos, 22 December 2023; US State Department, Mexico travel advisory, issued 29 May 2026; page read 21 October 2026; US State Department, Mexico international travel information, issued 11 August 2026; page read 21 October 2026; El Universal Oaxaca, Qué ciudades tienen vuelos directos a la ciudad de Oaxaca, 7 October 2025; UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán, inscribed 1987; INEGI, Compendio de información geográfica municipal 2010: Oaxaca de Juárez, 2010; Cámara de Diputados, Ley de los Husos Horarios en los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, published 28 October 2022; last reform 29 November 2022.

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