Read in EnglishWhile carving pumpkins is one of the most famous traditions of
Halloween,
carving radishes on
Christmas Eve is a very popular tradition in the state of
Oaxaca with over a century of history. The
Night of the Radishes takes place every December 23rd and is the most anticipated
Christmas celebration in Oaxaca during the holiday season.
This peculiar tradition originated as a sales strategy, as merchants used to decorate their stalls with
curiously carved radishes to attract the attention of buyers and increase their sales. On
Christmas Eve in 1897, the then mayor,
Francisco Vasconcelos, organized the first exhibition of
carved radishes after admiring the stalls decorated with the eye-catching figurines.
Over time, the Night of the Radishes became an
annual competition where gardeners and floriculturists bring to life ephemeral works of art, including
nativity scenes, biblical scenes, and typical traditions of the region. Although
radish carving is the most popular category, works made with
totomoxtle (dried corn husk) and
everlasting flower also participate in the competition.

The
radishes used during the festival are grown three months in advance and are for the exclusive use of the
carving competition. Most of the specimens used during
the Night of the Radishes can measure around 50 centimeters and weigh approximately three kilograms. Once the radishes are ready to be harvested, men, women, and children gather to harvest up to fourteen tons of
radishes that decorate the
Zócalo of Oaxaca every December 23rd.
The
tradition of radish carving has prevailed for over a century and will continue in the years to come. Now you know, the next time you |enjoy a traditional pozole topped with radish slices, remember that the most anticipated
Christmas celebration in Oaxaca is
the Night of the Radishes.