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La Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes) will officially be celebrated for the 128th time on December 23, 2025 in Oaxaca. Talented radish artists sign up to exhibit elaborately carved displays made entirely of los rábanos (radishes).
While many Mexican locals and visitors alike might normally say to their children “Con la comida no se juega” (Don’t play with your food), on this night the opposite is true. There are cash prizes for the winning displays, but the true joy is sharing the creativity with the thousands of visitors who come to experience this cultural event. Discover what Noche de Rábanos is all about and how you can experience it.
What is the history of Noche de Rábanos?
Over a century ago, food stall vendors in the marketplace in Oaxaca would set up on December 23 to sell the best meats, fish, vegetables, and special ingredients for the upcoming meals of La Navidad (Christmas).
To attract customers to their tables in the competitive marketplace, vendors would carve humble radishes into decorative shapes and figures. The tradition took root, and it eventually became an official radish carving contest, sponsored by the local government.
Since the first official Noche de Rábanos contest in 1897, the cash prizes and sheer creativity of the evening has grown into a favorite tradition for locals and many tourists. Oaxaca now prepares for thousands of visitors each year for this one-night event, which is a beloved part of Christmas traditions in Mexico.
The radish displays are the main event
Preparations begin in October, with giant varieties of radishes cultivated specifically for the event. Participants with roots in the Oaxaca region can sign up in advance to create a display for the contest, and the city provides the radishes for free. Carvers get the radishes only a few days before the contest, and have to keep them constantly moistened or they’ll deteriorate quickly.
On the morning of December 23, the artists set up their displays in Zócalo, the main square. Members of the press and the official event judges are allowed to enter first, but people can start lining up a couple of hours before the displays open to the general public. The winners of the contest are announced toward the end of the festive evening.
What are the radish displays made of?
The artistic expression of the radish displays is limited only by the constraints on materials; that is, what the artist can do with radishes and their roots and greens. They aren’t allowed to use synthetic paints, wires, nails, or other manmade materials, so artists need to be fully committed to the radish medium.
Carvers will often take their initial inspiration from the natural shapes of the radishes. Far from the garnish you may be accustomed to on your salad, these radishes can reach a few pounds and be the size of your forearm. They’re also heavily treated with chemicals to make them grow this large, so they aren’t suitable to eat, only to carve.
What are the themes of the radish carvings?
The themes are incredibly varied, featuring a mix of fantasy and real life. They often celebrate an aspect of Mexican or specifically Oaxacan culture or tradition. Some interesting recent displays have included:
- People and oficios (trades) typical of everyday life in Oaxaca;
- figures wearing the folkloric ropa (clothing) of indigenous cultures;
- regional foods, like mole (slowly cooked tomato sauce with spices and chocolate), quesadillas, and elotes (corn on the cob);
- religious themes such as Christ on the cross, la Virgen de Guadalupe, or pilgrims visiting holy sites;
- traditional curandero (healer) practices;
- local sites like the massive Árbol del Tule, a nearby cypress tree of epic proportions;
- themes related to la cosecha (the harvest);
- animals and creatures of all kinds, including moving marionetas (puppets);
- depictions of Oaxacan leyendas (legends), such as the princess Donají;
- imagery borrowed from other traditions such as Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
Other types of displays
Though the origins of Noche de Rábanos are firmly based on radishes, two other main types of artistic creations will be on display. The first is an ornamental flower called flor inmortal (immortal flower) or siempreviva (always alive). These flowers are prized in the Oaxaca region since the blooms are so long lasting.
Also on display are sculptures made with Totomoxle (corn husk). Artists pass down their skills through generations of family members in celebration of all that makes Oaxacan and Mexican culture unique.
What else can visitors do at Noche de Rábanos?
Like many other Mexican holidays and celebrations, there’s fun for the entire family at Noche de Rábanos. Some artists will carve you a personalized radish in your likeness. Children can participate in radish carving workshops and even display their creations.
The radishes aren’t meant for eating, but where there are crowds, there are food vendors and an opportunity to taste new treats like buñuelos (fried donuts) and nieves (ice cream). You can practice ordering food in Spanish in any of the surrounding restaurants.
As evening falls, the ambiance becomes more and more festive, with vendors, lights, and music. There are parades featuring mojigangas gigantes (giant paper maché figures), bands, and floats.
How to experience Night of the Radishes in Oaxaca
If you can travel to Oaxaca, it’s a good idea to book accommodation early since Noche de Rábanos falls during a busy holiday week. The event only lasts one day and night, so if you don’t want to miss it, plan to stand in line and enjoy the festive atmosphere for as long as it takes.
Arrive early and consider prebooking your transportation, so you’ll have extra time in the city. Be sure to check out schedules for restaurants and other attractions, as some places may adjust their schedules during the holidays.
Not taking a trip to Mexico? If you’re in the Los Angeles region, you can experience LA’s own Night of the Radishes along with Oaxacan festivities. You could even purchase a bag of radishes to try your hand at creating simple flowers or figures at home this winter.
Cultural understanding and language go hand in hand
If una imágen vale más que mil palabras (a picture is worth a thousand words), how much more powerful is it to experience the culture firsthand?
If your goal is to learn Spanish, experiencing an event like Noche de Rábanos is an incredible way to immerse yourself in the language. Not only would you encounter vocabulary specific to the displays themselves, but also the conversation involved in travel, socializing, reacting to the art, ordering food, and so much more.
