The cultural diversity of Oaxaca is on show all year round, and the city is home to one of Mexico’s most famous cultural festivals – the Guelaguetza, held every July. This celebration’s origins lie in the pre-Hispanic era. It began as a way to thank the deities for the harvest, but it has progressively become a celebration in honor of the Virgin of Carmen, whereby the different ethnic communities of Oaxaca show the world their most deeply rooted traditions.

Another celebratory date in the Oaxaca region is the day of Las Velas (the Candles), when a very colorful celebration takes place in Juchitán, in honor of San Vicente Ferrer. During May, there is a parade and a traditional “throwing of fruits to the public.”

The Day of the Dead has a strong hold in Oaxaca, where the locals stream down to the cemeteries to offer food and drink to the souls of the dead.

Towards the end of the year, there are two open-air festivals that take over the city streets – Las Calendas and La Noche de los Rábanos (the Night of the Radishes).

The former takes place before Christmas, with processions in which the “godfathers” of the baby Jesus figure, along with their relatives and neighbors, carry his effigy to the city’s Cathedral, after passing by all the mangers set up along the way.

The latter is a colonial tradition , and one of the most unusual Mexican festivals, whereby large radishes are carved. Held on December 23, this popular celebration foretells people’s fortunes in the coming year: the more clay plates you break on the carved figures, the luckier your year will be.