Christmas in Oaxaca
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 that 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 takes place, where Mary and Joseph are finally recognized and allowed to enter. And the celebration begins!
On the 3rd week of December at the Instituto Cultural Oaxaca during our Christmas Spanish Program every December, we host a "posada," in which homestay families, intercambios, teachers, staff and friends of the Institute partake in this traditional celebration in which we sing songs, drink punch and break the piñatas created by students earlier that week in the piñata making workshop.
Similar processions also begin at local churches; participants carry lit candles and sing verses asking for Posada and other holiday songs as they wind through the streets of Oaxaca.
On Christmas Eve, the last Posada is followed by the calendas—processions with allegorical floats that wind through the city and the zócalo, beautifully decorated by local churches and neighborhoods. The celebration culminates at midnight with the Misa de Gallo (midnight mass) and family celebrations on Christmas Day.
Religious Celebrations During December in Oaxaca
December is marked by typical Christmas celebrations and joyful religious festivities for the Catholic population of Oaxaca. Three religious images of Marian affiliation are especially celebrated: Nuestra Señora de Juquila, the Virgin of Guadalupe, and Nuestra Señora de la Soledad.
La Virgen de Juquila
Since the 17th Century, on December 8, when the patronal feast takes place, devotees of the Virgin of Juquila have made pilgrimages from distant regions of the state or country. Whether on foot, by bicycle, running with torches, or in trucks and cars, pilgrims must reach Santa Catarina Juquila in the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca—some 200 kilometers from Oaxaca.
La Virgen de Guadalupe
On December 12, although the sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe is in Mexico City, the cult of Guadalupe is present throughout Mexico. Therefore, it is not unusual to find an infinity of temples or chapels that the faithful visit yearly. Oaxaca is not far behind: the old hermitage sheltered by the former convent of Guadalupe, located north of Juarez Park, began to be built in 1644. The current church receives thousands of visitors on the 12th of this month. Undoubtedly, the church is the national religious symbol par excellence; because of this, the Patron Saint's Day has become an extraordinarily popular festival beyond the merely religious.
Virgen de la Soledad
It is not quite the same on December 18, when the image of the Virgen de la Soledad (Virgin of Solitude) walks the most important streets of Oaxaca. Patroness of the city, this religious image has become, over time, one of the most beloved and representative symbols of Oaxacan Catholics. Located west of the city, the Basilica de la Soledad, built between 1682 and 1690, is one of the most representative temples of the novo-Hispanic Baroque. , its façade is perhaps one of the most beautiful in the city.
Basilica of "Nuestra señora de la soledad"
In each of these remarkable festivities, the presence of the castles and fireworks, toritos and cutters will fill the silence of the December nights with lights and booms that precede the calm of Christmas and New Year's Eve in Oaxaca.
La Noche de Rábanos - Radish night
On December 23 takes place the most remarkable Oaxacan festivity around Christmas, "La noche de los Rabanos" or "Radish Night," a collection of altars around the Zocalo representing the traditions of Oaxaca and nativity scenes created with fascinating designs made with radishes of different sizes, immortal flowers and totomoxtle(husk)
Tip: The exhibition only lasts a few hours, and its popularity has increased in the last few years, so go early in the day. The exhibition opens at 3:00 PM, but you can arrive earlier to make the cue. The peak hour is at 7:00 PM.
Traditional Christmas Foods in Oaxaca
During the Christmas season in Oaxaca, food is integral to the celebrations. Some dishes you might encounter include:
Ponche Navideño: A warm fruit punch made with tejocotes, guavas, cinnamon, and other fruits, traditionally served during Las Posadas.
Tamales Oaxaqueños: Wrapped in banana leaves and often filled with mole or sweet fillings, tamales are a staple in many Christmas celebrations.
Buñuelos: Fried dough fritters served with cinnamon syrup, often enjoyed during Las Posadas and other holiday festivities.
Atole: A warm, thick beverage made from cornmeal, flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, often paired with tamales.
Useful Spanish Vocabulary for Christmas in Oaxaca
Here is some essential Spanish vocabulary that can help you navigate the Christmas season in Oaxaca:
Feliz Navidad – Merry Christmas
Posada – Inn (refers to the reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey)
Villancicos – Christmas carols
Piñata – Traditional papier-mâché figure filled with candy
Misa de Gallo – Midnight mass
Calenda – Procession
Ponche – Fruit punch
Rábanos – Radishes
Nochebuena – Christmas Eve
Nacimiento – Nativity scene
Peregrinos – Pilgrims
Castillo – Firework structure used during festivals
Toritos – Small firework bulls used in parades
From early December to early January, the La Villa Mágica de Mitla takes place in Mitla. It is a fair with Christmas lights, gastronomy and folk art. If you are in Oaxaca during those days, don't forget to visit Mitla.
Oaxaca Christmas Calendar
December 8 – Celebration of the Virgen de Juquila
December 12 – Celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe
December 18 – Celebration of the Virgen de la Soledad
December 16-24 – Posadas
December 23 – La Noche de Rábanos (Radish Night)
December 24 – Last Posada, Calendars from churches to the Zócalo, Misa de Gallo (midnight mass)
December 25 – Christmas Day
Early December to early January – Visit the Villa Mágica de Mitla, a Christmas fair with lights, gastronomy, and folk art located in Mitla, just outside of Oaxaca City.
Cultural Tips for Spending Christmas in Oaxaca
Be Respectful of Religious Traditions: Many of the celebrations are deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. Visitors are welcome to observe and participate, but it's important to remain respectful, especially during religious processions and masses.
Dress Comfortably but Modestly: If you're attending religious services or processions, it's a good idea to dress conservatively. Comfortable shoes are a must for walking on the calendar.
Join the Posadas: During the third week of December, Instituto Cultural Oaxaca will host its annual posada, in which homestay families, staff, teachers and intercambios partake in a traditional celebration. This is a meaningful way to connect with local families and learn about the cultural significance of Christmas in Oaxaca.
Enjoy Christmas in Oaxaca while Learning Spanish in our Christmas program from December 2 to December 27
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