Attractions
Night of the Radishes Mexico
Radish Night (Spanish: Noche de Rábanos) is an annual event held on December 23 in Oaxaca, Mexico, dedicated to the carving of giant radishes (Raphanus sativus) to create scenes for prizes in categories. They compete differently.
This event has its roots in the colonial period, when radishes were introduced by the Spanish. Oaxaca has a long tradition of wood carving, and farmers carved radishes as a way to attract customers at the Christmas market, held in the main square on December 23. In 1897, the city launched an official competition. As the city grew, the government had to allocate land to grow the radishes used in the event and oversee their growth and distribution to competitors. The event has become very popular, attracting over 100 participants and thousands of visitors. Because the radishes wilt soon after being cut, the works can only be displayed for a few hours, leading to long lines for those who wish to see them. The event also features demonstrations and competitions for works made with corn husks and dried flowers, created with similar themes to radishes.