×

Mexico🇲🇽 | festivalsNoche de RábanosCarved radishes, Zócalo contest, nativity dioramas, December 23 | things to do and best time to go

Explore Cervantino FestivalExplore Festival Internacional de Cine de Morelia

Backpacking in Noche de Rábanos
👀 For curious travelersfestival ranked #17
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

Radishes here are carved into figures, and the contest happens in the Zócalo of Oaxaca City, Mexico, on December 23 each year. Entry is free but the line can run an hour or more, so arrive by late afternoon or pay for a seat in a reserved section. Book your bed months ahead, because prices jump. I paid US$2 for a tlayuda with quesillo from a stall nearby and ate it in line, which beat any queue snack. Carvers sell scraps of radish at the plaza’s edge.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Mexico Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #17 festival in MexicoReasons people choose to celebrate the here

Noche de Rábanos gives backpackers a fixed date to build a Oaxaca trip around, and it lands in the middle of the city’s Christmas season. The contest runs for just one evening, so you meet fellow travelers shuffling along the same lines of carved radish dioramas and trading tips on which table is best. Entry to the Zócalo exhibition is free, which makes it one of the cheapest big events in Mexico. It pairs well with the calendas processions and the city’s other December traditions, so you can fit it into a longer loop through southern Mexico without adding much cost.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Noche de Rábanos

  1. The radish carving contest in the Zócalo. Growers and artists display giant red radishes shaped into nativity scenes, market stalls, saints and local legends, all arranged on tables under lights.
  2. Nativity and folk dioramas. Many entries use radish figures set into miniature villages, with fine detail in faces, clothing and animals.
  3. Flower and corn husk categories. Separate competitions use dried flowers and totomoxtle corn husk, so you see crafts beyond the radish.
  4. Street food around the plaza. Stalls sell buñuelos, tlayudas and hot chocolate, handy while you wait in the long line.
  5. Evening atmosphere in the historic center. Families, musicians and vendors fill the surrounding streets, and the cathedral and arcades make a fine backdrop.
Noche de Rábanos is best started with the contest itself in … read more 👉
  1. The radish carving contest in the Zócalo. Growers and artists display giant red radishes shaped into nativity scenes, market stalls, saints and local legends, all arranged on tables under lights.
  2. Nativity and folk dioramas. Many entries use radish figures set into miniature villages, with fine detail in faces, clothing and animals.
  3. Flower and corn husk categories. Separate competitions use dried flowers and totomoxtle corn husk, so you see crafts beyond the radish.
  4. Street food around the plaza. Stalls sell buñuelos, tlayudas and hot chocolate, handy while you wait in the long line.
  5. Evening atmosphere in the historic center. Families, musicians and vendors fill the surrounding streets, and the cathedral and arcades make a fine backdrop.
Noche de Rábanos is best started with the contest itself in the Zócalo, since the lines grow fast after dark and the displays are the reason the crowd comes.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Noche de Rábanos

Oaxacan Cooking Class with Local Chef

Oaxacan Cooking Class with Local Chef

5.0(134) 3h 30m
From €74
per personViator
Traditional Mexican Cooking Class

Traditional Mexican Cooking Class

5.0(92) 3h
From €114
per personViator
Waterfall Experience

Waterfall Experience

5.0(74)
From €73
per personViator
Hierve el Agua, Tlacolula Sunday Market & Weaving

Hierve el Agua, Tlacolula Sunday Market & Weaving

5.0(57) 8h 30m
From €97
per personViator
Cooking classes from the Isthmus with a Tehuana

Cooking classes from the Isthmus with a Tehuana

5.0(51) 6h
From €93
per personViator
Authentic Day in my Zapotec Village - private experience.

Authentic Day in my Zapotec Village - private experience.

5.0(50) 9h
From €139
per personViator
Oaxaca Street Food Essentials

Oaxaca Street Food Essentials

5.0(46) 3h 30m
From €82
per personViator
Airport to Hotel in Oaxaca with local assistance and tips Private

Airport to Hotel in Oaxaca with local assistance and tips Private

5.0(45) 30m
From €41
per personViator
Mama's Kitchen

Mama's Kitchen

5.0(43) 3h 30m
From €104
per personViator
Oaxaca Food Tour with 10+ Dishes of Authentic Mexican Flavors

Oaxaca Food Tour with 10+ Dishes of Authentic Mexican Flavors

5.0(41) 3h
From €70
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Noche de Rábanos?

Noche de Rábanos is held every year on December 23 in Oaxaca City, in the Zócalo and the streets around it, and the main show runs for one evening only.
  • Best slot: Go in the afternoon, when the sculptors finish their figures and the plaza is calmer. Evening crowds get dense, and the judging and awards come later.
  • Weather: Days are sunny and mild at about 24 to 27°C (75 to 81°F), but nights fall to roughly 8 to 10°C (46 to 50°F). Bring a warm layer. Rain is rare.
  • Booking: Reserve beds by October, since December prices rise 30 to 60 percent.
  • Crowds: Arrive on December 22 and leave on the 24th to avoid packed buses.
Join the entry line around 4 p.m., because it can take over an hour in the evening.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutMexico Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
The digital guide (402 pages) contains:
✅ 138 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 7, 14 & 21-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

The historic center of Oaxaca City is the best place to stay, because the radish displays fill the Zócalo and the surrounding blocks and you can walk everywhere. Streets around Calle Macedonio Alcalá and the Santo Domingo church have the densest cluster of hostels, easy meetups with other solo travelers, and well-lit streets late at night. The Jalatlaco neighborhood, ten minutes on foot to the northeast, is quieter, colorful and popular with long-stay backpackers who want cafés and murals. Reforma and the area south of the Zócalo are cheaper but lack the social scene. Book early, as December fills … read more 👉
The historic center of Oaxaca City is the best place to stay, because the radish displays fill the Zócalo and the surrounding blocks and you can walk everywhere. Streets around Calle Macedonio Alcalá and the Santo Domingo church have the densest cluster of hostels, easy meetups with other solo travelers, and well-lit streets late at night. The Jalatlaco neighborhood, ten minutes on foot to the northeast, is quieter, colorful and popular with long-stay backpackers who want cafés and murals. Reforma and the area south of the Zócalo are cheaper but lack the social scene. Book early, as December fills fast. Walk in groups after the crowds thin, and keep phones and wallets in front pockets near the packed plaza.
Best hostels in Mexico


Best quality hotels in Mexico

👛 Costs (as of 20 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Noche de Rábanos costs about US$65 to 111 a day for an independent traveler in Oaxaca City, with entry the smallest expense.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 3The street viewing is free, while the enclosed radish exhibit charges a small entry fee and lines run long.
AccommodationUS$25 to 60A dorm bed in December runs US$25 to 35, and private rooms US$45 to 60.
Local transportUS$2 to 8The center is walkable, and short taxi rides cost US$2 to 4.
Food & drinksUS$12 to 25Street tlayudas cost US$3 to 5, and a mezcal pour is US$3 to 6.
MiscellaneousUS$5 to 15Tips, souvenirs and bag storage.
Total Daily BudgetUS$65 to 111About US$90 with a mid-priced dorm bed.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

Around the Zócalo, the night smells of tlayudas blistering on charcoal grills, big crisp tortillas folded over beans, quesillo and tasajo. Vendors also sell buñuelos, crisp fried discs served in clay bowls with warm syrup, and the custom is to smash the bowl afterward for luck. Try tejate, a frothy cold corn and cacao drink, or a cup of hot champurrado against the cold night. Mezcal tastings are easy to find nearby, and sipping slowly is the local way.
Carry cash in small bills, since most stalls do not take cards. Lines move slowly in the crowds, so eat early or head to the market stalls a few blocks away.

FAQFrequently asked questions about Noche de Rábanos

Noche de Rábanos takes place every year on December 23 in Oaxaca City. The main display fills the Zócalo and nearby streets for one evening. Sculptors finish setting up in the afternoon, and the judging and awards come later at night.
Attending Noche de Rábanos costs little, since watching from the streets is free. The enclosed radish exhibit charges a small fee of around US$1 to 3, though lines can last over an hour. Budget US$25 to 35 for a dorm bed in December and about US$12 to 25 a day for food.
For Noche de Rábanos you do not need tickets in advance, because entry to the exhibit is paid in cash at the gate. Arrive by about 4 p.m. to keep the wait short, as lines grow in the evening. Book your bed by October, since Oaxaca City fills up in the days before December 23.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Mexican festivals near Noche de Rábanos

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Mexico including Noche de Rábanos and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all festivals

Or checkout all Mexico has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Mexico
Country photo of Mexico
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Noche de Rábanos also displays flower and corn husk figures, which many first-timers walk past while chasing the radishes. I would spend a few minutes at those tables before queuing, since they draw shorter lines and show the same careful craft.

✈️ When did I visit Mexico?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Mexico in February and March 2016. Had to hurry a bit as I didn’t want to miss the free performance of the Rolling Stones in Cuba.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Mexico, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story