Christmas at Oaxaca, Mexico is quite an experience. Every year, the locals celebrate Night of the Radishes on the 23rd of December, an event wherein artists transform radishes into one-of-a-kind sculptures. The festival is believed to have started in 1897, when vendors started to sculpt their radishes to make them more appealing to buyers during the Christmas Eve bazaar. It became a hit with housewives, who purchased the works of art to display in their homes. Ever since that first exhibition, the award-winning displays are given cash prizes.
The artists start carving three days prior to the festival, and over the years they have added different kinds of materials such as flowers and other vegetables to make their work more interesting. By late afternoon of December 23, the Zocalo, which is the town square, is already filled with dazzling sculptures, proud artists, and eager spectators.
The winners are announced by nighttime, but this doesn’t end the celebration. On December 24, there is a parade that consists of floats from the many different local churches. Travelers may want to take photographs of the beautifully-designed floats.
The following day, the fiesta continues with music, dancing, and fireworks. A traditional Christmas dinner concludes this exciting time in Oaxaca.
Travelers who are planning to celebrate the holidays here this year might want to stay at Parador San Agustin Hotel. It is a four-star establishment that offers world-class accommodations to travelers who are seeking a stress-free and fun vacation. Its 16th century-inspired design has been rebuilt to add modern fixtures such as wireless Internet, cable TV, telephone, and the like. It is near the Zocalo, as well as other tourist attractions such as Catedral Metropolitana, the Archeological Center of Mitla, and the Zapotec Center of Monte Alban.
For more information on this Oaxaca hotel and to book accommodations, visit http://www.paradorsanagustinhotel-oaxaca.com
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