Guide to Night of the Radishes 2024
The Night of the Radishes 2024 will take place on Monday, December 23rd in the main square (Zócalo), also known as Plaza de la Constitución of Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico.
Oaxaca Night of the Radishes, or Noche de Rábanos, is a 125-year-old Christmastime tradition where artists carve oversized radishes into detailed sculptures that compete for prizes in various categories.
Some of the sculptures include architectural sites, alligators, dragons, and renditions of Michelangelo’s La Pieta and Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
The Night of the Radishes 2024
Night of the Radishes 2024 is scheduled for December 23rd in the main square of Oaxaca City. This year’s festival will feature over a hundred artists competing with their radish sculptures, and thousands of visitors are expected to attend.
The 2024 Night of the Radishes Festival is a much more modernized version of the original tradition. Artists can now choose from many different categories, figures, and shapes.
Night of the Radishes 2024 Program
Morning
As in previous years, the festival will begin in the morning with artists setting up and working on their large, government-supplied radishes.
Around Noon
By noon, most of the radish sculptures will be completed and on display. Visitors can start viewing the intricate and creative displays then.
Early Afternoon
The festival will officially in the afternoon, with artists greeting visitors, receiving compliments, and keeping their radishes fresh by spraying them with water.
Late Afternoon
We recommend arriving around 5 pm to fully enjoy the experience because that’s when crowds start to gather and the atmosphere becomes much more vibrant.
Evening
As night falls, the sculptures will be illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere. Judges will stroll through the displays winners will be announced around 9 pm.
Transportation for Night of the Radishes 2024
Planning to attend the Night of the Radishes this year? If you’re flying into Oaxaca City, consider pre-booking your transportation to save time and avoid the hassle of negotiating with taxis.
Here are some recommended options for getting to and from Oaxaca Airport for the Noche de Rábanos celebrations.
Where to Stay in Oaxaca for Night of the Radishes?
If you’re planning to attend the 2024 La Noche de Rábanos event, we highly recommend booking your accommodations well in advance. The city will be packed with both domestic and international visitors for the event and Christmas.
For the best experience, we suggest staying at a hotel in downtown Oaxaca City.
Recommended Hotels
Image Credit: Booking.com
Hotel Rating: 5.0 ⭐️ (Read Reviews)
Casa de la Asuncion
Casa de la Asunción is a beautiful hotel located just steps from the historic Oaxaca Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Temple. This hotel offers free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, an on-site restaurant, and more.
Image Credit: Booking.com
Hotel Rating: 4.8 ⭐️ (Read Reviews)
Casa Antonieta
Casa Antonieta is a stunning boutique hotel in downtown Oaxaca City, near the Zocalo and Templo de Santo Domingo. It offers free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and is pet friendly with additional charges.
Image Credit: Booking.com
Hotel Rating: 4.6 ⭐️ (Read Reviews)
Majagua Boutique Hotel
Majagua Boutique Hotel is an adults only boutique hotel in Oaxaca located just behind the Templo de Santo Domingo. This hotel offers a free welcome cocktail, on-site restaurant, early check in and late checkout.
Fun Facts About the Night of the Radishes
Two Radish-Carving Categories:
Legend says two Dominican monks encouraged Zapotec and Mixtec farmers to grow radishes.
In the mid-18th century, these monks introduced massive, oddly-shaped radishes at the Christmas market near the cathedral (now the Zócalo).
Locals called the radishes “demons” and “monsters,” attracting crowds and boosting market sales.This evolved into a Christmastime tradition.
Oaxaca’s Wood Carving Traditions:
The festival is rooted in Oaxaca’s history of artisanal crafts and wood carving by Zapotec and Mixtec peoples.
Artisans began experimenting with materials like clay, corn, and radishes.
Not Your Everyday Radish:
Festival radishes are much larger and oddly shaped, specifically grown for the competition.
These radishes can be up to 30 inches long, weigh over 6.5 pounds, and are not intended for eating.
Two Radish-Carving Categories:
The competition has two main categories: free and traditional.
The free category allows any design, while the traditional category focuses on Oaxaca’s culture, heritage, and religious themes.
Other Crafts & Categories:
Artists also compete in categories using corn husks and dried flowers, creating dolls and displays with these materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
The radish competition began in the 18th century when two Dominican monks introduced giant radishes at Oaxacan Christmas markets. This novelty became a tradition, leading to record sales for local farmers.
In 1897, Municipal President Francisco Vasconcelos made it an official annual competition on December 23rd. The modern festival now includes various categories, figures, and shapes for artists to choose from.
The festival begins in the morning as artists set up their spaces and work on their sculptures using large, government-supplied radishes. Attendees can watch the detailed sculpting process up close throughout the day.
At night, the event features light shows, fireworks, and concerts around the city. Once the sculptures are finished, judges stroll through the square to select the winners.
The Night of the Radishes includes a sculpting competition, light shows, fireworks, and concerts.
Artists start their sculptures in the morning, and winners are announced at night.
Visitors can explore the main square, watch the sculpting, and enjoy local foods from street vendors.
Oaxaca City holds an annual traditional celebration known as Noche de Rabanos or Night of Radishes.
The judges select three winners from each category, traditional and free, awarding them a cash prize ranging from $12,000 to $30,000 pesos ($650 USD – $1,600 USD).
Night of the Radishes Video
More Guides to Oaxaca
