December 2025, an ideal time to visit Oaxaca
Posadas
On December 16, Mexico begins a nine-day celebration known as “Las Posadas,” an important tradition for many Catholic Mexicans. This celebration reenacts the trials Mary and Joseph endured before finding a place for Jesus to be born. Families take turns holding the Posada in their home while the remaining adults and children act as pilgrims, walking from house to house carrying candles and singing, looking for somewhere to stay. At each house, the resident rejects the pilgrims through song. The weary pilgrims continue from house to house until they reach the pre-designated place where the Posada is being held. Mary and Joseph are finally recognized and allowed to enter. And the celebration begins!
This program allows you to observe and participate in some of Oaxaca's most traditional Christmas celebrations and cultural expressions.
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Noche de Rabanos
Among other fun things to experience in Oaxaca in December is “La noche de los Rabanos” or “Night of the Radishes,” which takes place on December 23, a collection of altars around the Zocalo representing the traditions of Oaxaca and nativity scenes created with a fascinating range of vegetables, including radishes of different sizes, dried flowers, and husk.
Key program facts
USD 720
per person
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The three-week program includes:
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Twenty hours of Spanish language classes each week. (Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM)
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Two hours of each week of Christmas-related Cultural Workshops, such as:​ Piñata Making & Christmas Cooking Workshop (16 hours, Monday to Thursday, 2 hours in the afternoon), and Intercambio
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Participation in ICO's Posada (one evening of December 19)
USD 520
per person
​
The two weeks program includes:
​
-
Twenty hours of Spanish language classes each week (Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM)
​
-
Two hours of each week of Christmas-related Cultural Workshops, such as:​ Piñata Making & Christmas Cooking Workshop (16 hours, Monday to Thursday, 2 hours in the afternoon), and Intercambio​​
-
Participation in ICO's Posada (one evening of December 19)
USD 460
per person
This two-week program includes:
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-
32 hours of Spanish language classes (Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM), except December 25 and January 1
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-
16 hours of cultural workshops
(Monday to Thursday, 2 hours in the afternoon)
​)​
- Noche de Rabanos Tour on December 23 (details to be disclosed closer to the date)
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To participate in this course, you must register and a pay a USD 55 deposit to secure your place. The deposit is fully refundable until 14 days before the starting date)
