However, this vibrant, radish-themed parade (Convite de la Noche de Rábanos) was just a prelude to the main event: Night of the Radishes, held Dec. 23. 

Night of the Radishes

Night of the Radishes is an annual festival where local artisans carve giant radishes into sculptures, competing for prizes. They often form religious scenes such as the Last Supper or the Virgen de Guadalupe. Sculptures are completed and displayed in the afternoon of Dec. 23. Visitors can view the competition entries that evening.

Naturally, the perishable nature of radishes means they can only be displayed for a short time. 

The tradition dates back to the 1600s, when Dominican monks encouraged Oaxacan farmers to use oversized and strangely shaped radishes to make attractive displays to draw people to their stalls during the Christmas Eve market, held in the zócalo. At that time, the radishes were cultivated in the village of Trinidad de las Huertas. It became an official festival and annual competition on Dec. 23, 1897, and was formalized by Mayor Francisco Vasconcelos. 

A tradition not to be missed

Despite being a bit of a gimmick, the idea grew in popularity over the decades. Nowadays, the radishes are bigger than ever (as long as 50 centimeters, or 20 inches). They are grown in fields near Tequio Park, which are allocated for these giant vegetables. Each artist receives a stipend for entering the competition. The winner receives a cash prize, which is approximately 30,000 pesos (approximately US $1,666).

The radish parade and festival attract both locals and tourists. It is a chance to enjoy the creative radish carvings along with traditional foods, and the celebration ends in a fireworks display. Night of the Radishes is thus a unique cultural experience in Oaxaca — and one not to be missed!

Anna Bruce is an award-winning British photojournalist based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Just some of the media outlets she has worked with include Vice, The Financial Times, Time Out, Huffington Post, The Times of London, the BBC and Sony TV. Find out more about her work at her website or visit her on social media on Instagram or on Facebook.

The post Art, food and religion collide at Oaxaca’s unbelievable radish festival appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Indigo has been produced in Oaxaca since pre-Columbian times and has global historical significance, having been used in Africa, Egypt, India and Japan. It was typically used for ritual dress or royalty, as the color symbolizes wisdom, with a connection to a higher consciousness. As a pigment, it has been ascribed protective properties and even healing powers.

Commercial production in Niltepec began in the 18th century. With a growing interest in natural and sustainable dying practices over the past decade, production has seen a revival. This has been supported by local intervention (such as the Textile Museum of Oaxaca) and increasing demand for artisanal textiles worldwide.

The revival of production is officially celebrated during the annual Feria de Anil. This year the festival took place on Sep. 27th and 28th, with tour of production facilties, presentations about the history and significance of indigo and workshops hosted by local and visiting artists. The festival fosters a renewed sense of pride and opens up opportunities for knowledge exchange within the community. This year, I was lucky enough to attend.

Arriving in Niltepec, after a 7-hour bus ride from Oaxaca City, you are immediately hit with a wave of heat thick with stifling humidity, perfect conditions for the growing of this valuable crop. It takes approximately 200 kilograms of raw plant material to end up with one kilogram of the dye, a dried fermented paste made from the leaves, with a charcoal-like consistency.  Due to the intensive process and low yield, the dried indigo is often referred to as ‘blue gold’. Currently, the value is around 3,500 pesos (US $190) per kilo.

The indigo grown in Oaxaca is a strain called Indigofera suffruticosa, native to the Americas. The plant grows in the rainy season, typically between May and September, and must be harvested before it flowers. 

The harvesting of jicalite is done in the cooler hours before dawn. They are bound, cut with a scythe and loaded into ox-drawn carts. These carts can pass through the mud, unpassable by car following the intense rains in the region. 

The plants must be processed before they dry out. If they dry out they lose their dying potency, which comes from the fresh indican in the leaves, which is the chemical precursor to the indigo dye.

Processing takes place in large man-made pools called ‘pilas’, which are often hundreds of years old. The ‘añileros’ load up the pilas with the fresh cut plants, pressing them into water and held down with a heavy wooden lattice. Over several hours the plant ferments, turning the liquid an acid yellow/green color. 

Eventually, they open a valve to release the liquid into a secondary lower pool, which they agitate and aerate with paddles for several hours. After the fermentation they add the berry of the Gulaver plant to thicken the liquid into a mud-like substance. Often the ancient pilas are built along the river, under Gulaver trees.  

In the afternoon, the indigo water is taken from the pila’s back to the añileros home. There it is strained through cheese cloth to remove the excess liquid, before the remaining paste is dried in the sun, often using old roof tiles. 

We visited the home of añilero Manuel Valencia and his wife Lulu. While Manuel managed the harvest and work at the pila, Maestra Lula managed the drying stage of the indigo process. 

After learning about the process of making the indigo dye, we walked to the town center, which was decorated for the annual fair. There we got to dye some of our own clothes, using a japanese inspired technique called ‘shibori’ to create a tye-dye effect. 

To begin with, the dyeing liquid is still yellow-green. It is warm, but not boiling. The material must be carefully submerged to not agitate the water too much. The fabric only turns blue as it meets the air and the dye oxidises. 

Walking though the center of Santiago Niltepec, you see women dressed in traditional clothing, a huipil and falda (skirt and blouse). But unlike the typical embroidered textiles from neighboring towns, the fabric of these huipils and faldas have been dyed a beautiful blue patterned with the shibori method, illustrating a fusion of historical practices with new traditions.

During the feria we met with Oaxacan artist Carolina Garza, founder of Hilos Flojos (loose threads). She was running a workshop during the festival in Niltepec. Back in Oaxaca City she also manages workshops, teaching the method of dying with indigo. If you are visiting Oaxaca and are interested in taking an Indigo workshop, contact Hilos Flojos.

Anna Bruce is an award-winning British photojournalist based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Just some of the media outlets she has worked with include Vice, The Financial Times, Time Out, Huffington Post, The Times of London, the BBC and Sony TV. Find out more about her work at her website or visit her on social media on Instagram or on Facebook.

The post Harvesting Oaxaca’s ‘blue gold’ appeared first on Mexico News Daily

There is a lot to do in and around the city during this month, including street parades for saints such as Francis of Assisi and Virgen de Rosario, as well as numerous activities leading up to the Día de Muertos celebrations.

Rubber exhibition

Join an artist talk that accompanies the temporary exhibition exploring traditional rubber making at the San Pablo Cultural Center. The conversation will explore the fascinating history of the “Mangas San Gabriel” rubber workshop, touching on topics such as time, technique, rhythm, and soul.

Throughout the talk, you’ll discover how this artisanal practice has managed to endure across generations of artists. 

Date: Oct. 3, 6 p.m.

Location: Rosary Chapel, San Pablo Cultural Center, Oaxaca de Juárez

Cost: Free

Saint’s day for St. Francis of Assisi church

The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order, is observed on Oct. 4 with mañanitas, a calenda and a food fair. He is celebrated for his love of nature, compassion for the poor and devotion to God. 

Remembrances worldwide include religious services, the “Blessing of the Animals,” donations to animal shelters, nature walks and environmental awareness activities. The festivities coincide with World Animal Day.  

Date: Oct. 4

Location: Templo y Convento de San Francisco de Asís, Calle del Dr. Pardo 4, Oaxaca de Juárez

Cost: Free

Oktoberfest in Oaxaca

Recently, Oaxaca’s craft beer scene has been growing. This year, the annual Oktoberfest, Asociación de Cerveceros de Oaxaca, will be hosted at the Centro Gastronómico. Meet craft brewers and mead makers while enjoying live music and Oaxacan beer culture. Organizers ask you to “Save the date and prepare your palate to try new styles and have some old-fashioned Bavarian fun along the way.”

Date: Oct. 3, noon – 10 p.m.

Location: Centro Gastronómico, 610 Garcia Vigil, Oaxaca de Juárez

Cost: 80 pesos

Coffee experience with Tlayudona

Let an expert roaster guide you through a demonstration that explores the journey of artisan Oaxacan coffee from bean to brew. Whether you’re a casual coffee lover or a seasoned enthusiast, you’ll learn how to distinguish flavor profiles, understand roasting techniques and engage your senses in the art and science behind every perfect cup. As part of the experience, you’ll receive a 250-gram bag of artisan coffee.

Date: Oct. 9, 10 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.

Location: Cafébre, C. de Manuel Bravo 108, Ruta Independencia, Oaxaca de Juárez

Cost: 1,650 pesos

Ha-Ash Concert

Ha-Ash is a Mexican-American pop and country duo comprised of sisters Hanna Nicole Pérez Mosa and Ashley Grace Pérez Mosa, formed in 2002 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 

Ha-Ash’s self-titled debut album appeared in 2003 and sold over 140,000 copies. Its success was aided by the singles “Odio Amarte,” “Estés donde estés,” and “Te Quedaste.” The record propelled the sisters to U.S. and Latin American recognition and was later featured on the animated film “Magos y Gigantes”.

Date: Oct. 11, 7 p.m.

Location: Auditorio Guelaguetza, Oaxaca de Juárez

Cost: 500 pesos

Anniversary of the Tule tree

This 2000-year-old Montezuma Cypress is a significant natural monument, rooted in the community and visited by many travelers in the Oaxaca region.  

The Tule tree is celebrated annually in Santa María del Tule on the second Monday of October with a local festival, featuring garlands adorned with bottles of drinks and food. The tree is adorned with garlands decorated with hanging bottles of refrescos (soft drinks), cervezas (beers), grapefruit and empanadas.

Date: Oct. 13

Location: 2 de Abril, 8va Etapa IVO Fracc el Retiro, Santa María del Tule

Cost: 20 pesos to enter the enclosure of the tree

Gabito Ballestros’ “Ofrenda”

An innate talent that fuses the tradition of corridos with the energy of trap and hip hop, Gabito has emerged as a key figure in the “corrido tumbados” movement.

His bold vision for experimenting with rhythms and lyrics has positioned him as a leader of the movement, proving that one can honor one’s roots while looking toward the future. Gabito is not afraid of innovation, and his music reflects a constant evolution, making him a reference for many emerging artists.

This new musical space, Ofrenda, promises a different kind of concert by Gabito Ballesteros, an epic, almost cult-like evening.

Date: Oct. 31, 9 p.m.

Location: Auditorio Guelaguetza, Oaxaca de Juárez

Cost: Between 650 and 2,250 pesos

Kinky: Rave Sessions 

This Halloween, Kinky comes to Oaxaca. “Get ready to enjoy an unforgettable evening surrounded by the vibrant energy of music and a festive atmosphere.” Kinky is a Grammy-nominated electronic rock band formed in Monterrey, Mexico. They are known for their blend of rock, funk, and electronic dance music with Latin influences. Kinky gained global recognition after winning the Battle of the Bands at the 2000 Latin Alternative Music Conference. Their self-titled debut album, released in 2002, achieved critical and commercial success.

Take advantage of the 2-for-1 drinks from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Date: Oct. 31, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Location: Parthenon Oaxaca, 105 calle eucaliptos, Oaxaca de Juárez

Cost: Tickets from 1,100 to 1,600 pesos

Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

October 31 marks the beginning of the Day of the Dead celebrations, one of the most important in Oaxaca, which take place from October 31 to November 2. There is a special market to provide flowers, sugar cane stalks, pan de muerto, chocolate, peanuts, fruits, sweets and all the necessities for the altars. Every family and many museums, churches, businesses and offices prepare an altar to honor their dead and await the visit of the spirits of the departed. On this night, those who have family or friends in the cemetery at Xocotlán begin arriving with flowers and candles. Most stay until dawn.

Date: Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 7 p.m. – 6 a.m.

Location: Panteón Xoxo, Oaxaca de Juárez

Cost: No cost

Anna Bruce is an award-winning British photojournalist based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Just some of the media outlets she has worked with include Vice, The Financial Times, Time Out, Huffington Post, The Times of London, the BBC and Sony TV. Find out more about her work at her website or visit her on social media on Instagram or on Facebook.

The post What’s on in Oaxaca in October? appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Day of the Dead is a cultural event where families honor departed ancestors through altars with their favorite foods and marigolds, decorating graves, and gathering in cemeteries for late-night vigils filled with song and dance. The principal days are the first and second of November, but celebrations begin as early as mid-October and continue into early November each year. There are many activities that you can discover just by being present in the city, such as the vibrant street parades known as comparsas (or muerteadas), or the beautifully decorated panteons (cemeteries), where people celebrate their ancestors wth flower and favourite foods, while sharing stories about the departed. 

If you’re planning on being in town for the big week, it is essential to book transport and accommodation in advance. If you want to take one of the various organized tours or attend ticketed events, you will need to book as soon as possible. Many tour operators also provide specialized experiences to help appreciate the diversity and nuance of Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead celebrations. 

Here are some of the most popular, and the links to book them today.

Ticketed Events:

Día de los Muertos with Salvadores Mezcal 

An immersive experience of art and music with plenty of mezcal!

Salvadores is produced in Tlacolula, Oaxaca at the family-owned Destilario Palacios. To welcome in Day of the Dead this year, they will be launching a limited edition bottle designed by Oaxacan artist Bouler.

During the eventt, Bouler will be painting an interactive mural. Guests will be invited to participate in the painting, as well as see the mural evolve through a virtual reality filter. As guests arrive, there will be an agave oven in process, so that people can experience the process of making mezcal, while tasting a range of different sips from the Salvadores range. The mezcal tasting will be followed by cocktails and dinner accompanied by a performance from Hector Diaz, before a traditional calenda, dancing, and music from DJ Blacktape. 

Also includes: Catrina facepainting, Building a Día de Muertos Altar

Where: Salvadores Distillery, Tlacolula, Oaxaca

Cost: 3500 pesos with limited tickets 

When: 18 October, pick up from Oaxaca city center at 4 p.m.

25 October: SET Underground “Tierra de los Muertos”

A multi-day festival out by Mitla, Oaxaca, which combines electronic music, visual arts, and cultural experiences to celebrate the spirit of Día de los Muertos. Mitla was known as the “Place of the Dead” because it was a sacred royal burial site and an important religious center for the Zapotec people, who believed the site contained an entrance to the underworld. The name itself, Mitla, comes from the Nahuatl word “Mictlán” or “Mictlan” (meaning “place of the dead”) The festival features live music, dance, theatrical performances, a boutique market, local food, and wellness experiences like sound baths and cacao ceremonies. 

The festival aims to celebrate the life, creativity, and spirit of Oaxaca while honoring the tradition of Día de los Muertos. This year’s festival promises to be a feast for the senses, with mesmerizing live music, captivating dance performances and stunning visual art installations.

Headliners: Aera, Ali Farahani, shan nash, Andre VII, Armen Miran, Cabizbajo, Goldcap, Ivory, Konvex, Marques Wyatt, Nandu, Roderic, Theus Mago, Yamagucci, Colossio

Where: Mitla

When: 24 – 26 October

General pass: Early Bird 3500 pesos ends Sep 28

Day of the Dead tours

Where Side Walks End 

This award-winning tour provides authentic Catrina makeup workshops, guided visits to the flower-adorned cemeteries, and cemetery visits, providing a deeper understanding of the local customs that make this event so poignant. They also offer a women-only immersive day on November 1st,  with a local expert in the history and mysticism surrounding the practices of local women during the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca.

With a range of popular tours, here are some of the major events you won’t want to miss out on:

• Marigold Fields Experience

Walk the fields where families source cempasúchil to guide their loved ones home, learning why the harvest happens before Day of the Dead, as a photographer quietly documents the moments you’ll want to remember. Context and respectful guidance are part of the journey.

• Mask-Making Workshop

Sit with master artisans who craft the masks seen in local parades, hear the stories that shaped each design, then paint your own piece to carry that story forward. It is hands-on learning with gentle mentorship and lots of meaning.

• Cooking Class & Market Experience

Meet vendors in a neighborhood market and learn how food becomes memory during Day of the Dead, then cook dishes like mole, tamales, and chocolate that families prepare to honor their dead. You leave with skills and the context that gives those recipes life.

• Mitla & Pan de Muertos Experience

Stand inside Mitla, the city of the dead, and hear how its patterns speak to the afterlife, then decorate your own pan de muerto at a local bakery as an offering you understand from the inside out. History and empathy to traditions keep the emphasis 

• Oaxaca Day of the Dead Event

Share a table for stories, mezcal, and altar building, learning how remembrance is practiced today before a guided walk to a cemetery where we participate with care. It is an evening about meaning first, then presence.

Various events between October 28 and November 2

Cost: US $135-150 per person

Coyote Adventures

Experiences that connect you with local families from indigenous communities, where you can live the ancestral traditions of Oaxaca.

• The Teotitlán del Valle tour takes visitors to communities outside of the glamor of Oaxaca City’s Day of the Dead celebrations. Guests are invited to examine the relationship with death, and deepen their understanding of the impacts of the Spanish conquest on this holiday, how the conquest has molded traditions and rituals, forming a type of syncretism which combines elements of Catholicism with ancient indigenous beliefs. The day begins in the local square and market,  then visiting local host families before finally walking to the cemetery to celebrate the ancestors with flowers and candles.

• San Gabriel Etla is a small community with approximately 500 inhabitants situated in the municipality of San Juan Bautista Guelache. Here, local families will share their unique cultural customs and Day of the Day rituals. Guests will get to visit a sacred field of marigold flowers in the community and create a bouquet as the sun sets, before walking to the San Gabriel cemetery.The night will end with an exuberant murteada.

Various Dates available from November 1, but are likely to fill soon

Cost: 3000 pesos 

Rambling Spirits

Full disclosure, as well as writing for Mexico News Daily, I facilitate bespoke experiences beyond Oaxaca city, typically with a focus on mezcal. If you and your friends are interested in visiting artisanal mezcal distilleries during a visit for Day of the Dead, we can plan a trip for you. This will include mezcal tasting, Oaxacan lunch, and learning about the traditional components of Day of the Dead, including how an altar is prepared.

This is by far the busiest time of year for tours, but various dates are available.

Cost: From 3000 pesos

Anna Bruce is an award-winning British photojournalist based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Just some of the media outlets she has worked with include Vice, The Financial Times, Time Out, Huffington Post, The Times of London, the BBC and Sony TV. Find out more about her work at her website or visit her on social media on Instagram or on Facebook.

The post 5 Oaxaca Day of the Dead events you need to book before they sell out appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Del Agave al Altruismo

Meant to raise awareness and funds for animals in need, this event is hosted by the charity Furry Tails of Oaxaca. The organisation works with local communities to improve the well-being of cats and dogs by reducing the population of street animals and by providing them with access to health services and forever homes through fundraising, education and community outreach. Included is an opportunity to meet the team managing the charity, plus a raffle, snacks and cocktails.

Date: Sept. 4, 5-10 p.m.

Location: In Situ Bodega, Reforma 306, Oaxaca, Centro, 68000 

Cost: Free

Somos Oaxaca

Inauguration of “Somos Oaxaca,” a series of photographs by Terry MacCormack taken between 1972 and 1977. MacCormack is a photographer and painter from British Columbia, Canada. He has exhibited his photography in Mexico, Canada and Wales, and focuses on whatever catches his eye, from the play of light and shadow to street scenes, people, landscapes and abstractions. Much of his work is thematic, and he prefers to work on projects of 20 or more images that document his interests.

Date: Sept. 12, 7 p.m.

Location: Biblioteca Henestrosa, Calle Porfirio Díaz, esq Morelos 115

Cost: Free

Anniversary of Niños Héroes

The Niños Héroes (Boy Heroes) were six military cadets killed in the Battle of Chapultepec, one of the last battles of the U.S.-Mexico War in 1847. This anniversary is celebrated as a national holiday in Mexico, honoring their sacrifice. 

Date: Sept. 13

Location: Throughout the city, with ceremonies in schools and government buildings

Cost: Free

Independence Day

The most significant event happening this month is Mexico’s Independence Day, celebrated nationwide on Sept. 16. This day commemorates the moment when Miguel Hidalgo, a priest and leader, called for Mexico’s liberation from Spain in September of 1810. It was the precipitating act that ultimately led to freedom from Spanish rule in 1821. In Oaxaca, people gather in the main square to hear the traditional “Grito,”  followed by festivities throughout the city. 

Dates: September 15-16

Where: Zocalo

Cost: Free

Character creation and development workshop 

If you enjoy literature, theater, film and illustration, and want to learn how to give your characters greater personality, this workshop is for you. Writers learn narrative theory and tools to discover who their character is based on a fictional situation. Learn the fundamentals of character creation and development while harnessing creativity.

Date: Sept. 20, 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

Location: Casa Bestia, Díaz Quintas 111, Ruta Independencia

Cost: 2,000 pesos

Tito Double P. – ‘Ay Mama’ Tour

Jesús Roberto Laija García, known professionally as Tito Double P, is a Mexican rapper, singer and songwriter. The cousin of fellow musician Peso Pluma, in 2021, he began posting videos of himself singing corridos on social media. Then, in August 2024, he released his debut studio album “Incómodo,” which debuted at number 20 on the U.S. Billboard 200. He’ll be performing at the outdoor stadium overlooking Oaxaca City.

Date: Sep. 24, 7 p.m.

Location: Auditorio Guelaguetza, Oaxaca, Mexico

Cost: Tickets start at 355 pesos 

Kikaw Kik installation in celebration of Mexican National Cacao Day

“Long live cacao!” This exhibition from Oaxacan artist Miguel Sánchez shares a personal reflection on the new world of cacao and chocolate, from the historical to the social. Supported by Flor Heras.

Date: Sept. 25, 7.30 p.m.

Location: MACCO, C. Macedonio Alcalá 202

Cost: Free

Jorge Medina and Josi Cuen – “Juntos”

Both artists have launched successful solo careers. Medina is a Mexican singer and songwriter known for his two-decade tenure as the lead vocalist of La Arrolladora Banda el Limón. Born in Sinaloa in 1974, Medina began his career singing with various groups before joining La Arrolladora in 1996. After leaving the band in 2017, he launched a successful solo career, releasing his own music and touring globally. Cuen is known for his brand of regional Mexican music, with its distinctive fusion of traditional and contemporary styles.

Date: Sept. 27, 7 p.m.

Location: Auditorio Guelaguetza, Oaxaca, Mexico

Cost: Tickets start at 920 pesos

Indigo Festival in Niltepec

Niltepec is a small town in the Tehuantepec region of Oaxaca state, about a 5-hour drive from the city. It is best known for the production of the natural blue dye, indigo, which is used in painting and textiles in Oaxacan art and artisanal crafts. This festival is an opportunity to see the process of making this dye, from the plant to final use, as well as to buy the materials and artworks.

Date: Sept. 27-28

Location: Niltepec

Cost: Free

Anna Bruce is an award-winning British photojournalist based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Just some of the media outlets she has worked with include Vice, The Financial Times, Time Out, Huffington Post, The Times of London, the BBC and Sony TV. Find out more about her work at her website or visit her on social media on Instagram or on Facebook.

The post What’s on in Oaxaca in September appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Espaterra 

 

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Espadín y Tierra 2025, or Espaterra, seeks to preserve, promote and showcase the cultural, social and economic value of espadín mezcal, typically cultivated and produced by Oaxaca’s rural communities. The event is a space for meeting, memory and collective reflection of the 17 mezcal-producing regions of Oaxaca. Espaterra’s closing event, a colloquium on mezcal with researchers and palenqueros, including a screening of the documentary “45 grados: La industrialización del mezcal artensanal,” takes place on Aug. 1.

When: Aug. 1 at 10 a.m.
Where: UNAM-Oaxaca extension, Melchor Ocampo 102, Centro, Oaxaca de Juárez
Cost: Free entry but attendees must register here 

Dia de Plaza del Mezcal

 

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This is the first edition of this moving event at Oruga, a photo gallery and mezcalería. “We are proud and happy to open the doors of this space to friends of the mezcal industry to share their knowledge, experiences and, of course, mezcal,” Oruga says. The event will include traditional mezcals from Indigenous communities.

When: Aug. 1 and 2
Where: Oruga, Av. José María Morelos 1207, Centro, Oaxaca de Juárez
Cost: Free

Last days of the Feria Artesanal de Arrazola

San Antonio Arrazola is located 10 kilometers southwest of Oaxaca city, off the highway to Zaachila. Known as Arrazola, the community is famous for its beautiful alebrijes, figures made from different types of paper or carved and painted wood in bright, vibrant colors, representing fantastical jaguars, mermaids and nahuales. Although alebrijes are made using various techniques today, this community stands out for its use of wood carving, a skill passed down from generation to generation.

When: Until Aug. 3, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Andador Turístico de Arrazola
Cost: Free

San Mateo Mushroom Festival

 

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Each year, the municipality of San Mateo Río Hondo holds a festival to celebrate mushrooms. At over 2,300 meters above sea level in Oaxaca’s Sierra Sur, Río Hondo is a fertile land of beautiful, misty landscapes. During the rainy season, mushrooms of various sizes, shapes and colors flourish, marveling locals and foreigners alike, who are drawn from all over the country and the world to learn about, taste and benefit from the properties of these fungi. Magic mushrooms are also in season. Over the three days there will be workshops, foraging excursions and tasting events.

When: Aug. 1 through 3
Where: San Mateo Río Hondo
Cost: Details available here

Feria Artesanal del Barro Negro in San Bartolo

 

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San Bartolo Coyotepec is celebrating its Guelaguetza until Aug. 7. 30 minutes from Oaxaca city, just past the airport, San Bartolo is known for its tradition of black pottery. In the 1960s, a local artisan named Rosa Real Mateo de Nieto made a discovery that changed the local tradition: firing pieces at lower temperatures and then burnishing them with quartz before they were fully dry gave the fired clay a shiny, jet-black finish. More than half of San Bartolo’s population participates in black pottery production, and their annual fair celebrates this staple of the town’s culture.

When: Aug. 1 through 7, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: Mercado de Barro Negro “Plaza Artesanal,” Benito Juárez 37, San Bartolo Coyotepec
Cost: Free

Feast of Our Lady of the Angels

Our Lady of the Angels is celebrated at the Ex-Convento de los Siete Principes with religious activities, calendas, music and fireworks. The church and the attached former convent were built in the 18th century and currently house the Oaxaca House of Culture (CCO), a cultural center. While the feast is celebrated throughout the Catholic world, it holds special significance for Franciscans and their devotion to Our Lady of the Angels. In Mexico, various churches and chapels are dedicated to this apparition of Mary, reflecting the spread of Franciscan influence and devotion. 

When: Aug. 15 at 8 a.m.
Where: González Ortega 415, Centro, Oaxaca de Juárez
Cost: Free 

José y el Toro plays Foro la Locomotora

 

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Venezuelan singer-songwriter José y el Toro has established himself as one of the new exponents of bolero in Latin America, revitalizing the genre with a unique fusion of classic and modern elements. Through his narrative style and ability to capture the essence of love and nostalgia, José has resonated deeply with audiences on social media. Songs like “Reloj Ingrato,” “Cuando Cuando” and “Nunca Fuimos” have demonstrated his talent for connecting with people’s emotions through his compositions.

When: August 9 at 8 p.m.
Where: Foro la Locomotora, Av. José María Morelos 1309, Centro, Oaxaca de Juárez
Cost: 300 pesos

Day of the Taxi Driver

Taxi drivers decorate their cars with flowers and ribbons to parade through the city on Oaxaca’s Día del Taxista. It’s a loud celebration, with bands and fireworks starting early in the morning. 

The day is a chance for taxi drivers to celebrate their profession and for the community to acknowledge their role in transportation. Those in town should be aware that traffic will be affected.

When: Aug. 12, all day
Where: Across Oaxaca city
Cost: None

The Mazatecs through 20th-century German eyes

 

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At the beginning of the 20th century, German anthropologist Wilhelm Bauer traveled to Oaxaca to collect artifacts and information about the Mazatec people. His work now forms the Mazatec collection of the Ethnological Museum of Berlin, which collaborated with the Juan de Córdova research library to create “Presencia mazateca en Berlín: Tras las huellas de Wilhelm Bauer-Thoma, 1903-1908.” This exhibition presents information and records of these artifacts, as well as historical photographs and documents that will allow present-day Mazatec communities to learn about these records of their history through a traveling exhibition.

Location: Biblioteca de Investigación Juan de Córdova, Av. de la Independencia 904, Centro Oaxaca de Juárez
Date: Through Aug. 15
Cost: Free

Feast of the Assumption celebrations

The Feast of the Assumption is celebrated at the Catedral de Oaxaca in the heart of the city. Also known as the Church of the Assumption, construction on the church began in 1535, and it was consecrated in 1733. As the Cathedral’s name indicates, the Cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. Assumption Day commemorates the belief that when Mary, mother of Jesus, died, with her body taken into heaven to be reunited with her soul. The day celebrating the feast of Assumption includes religious activities, calendas, music and fireworks.

When: Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cathedral of the Assumption, Av. de la Independencia 700, Centro, Oaxaca de Juárez

Blessing of the animals at Templo de La Merced

During the feast of San Ramón, people take their dressed-up pets to be blessed in the church of La Merced. It’s not just cats and dogs: there are birds, lizards, rabbits and sheep, among other critters. Many are dressed to impress, either in cute outfits or something more grand. To capture this fun tradition, I arrive early; If you get there around 3:30 p.m., you’ll be able to take pictures of the animals before the blessing begins. The blessing is a tradition rooted in honoring the service animals provide and seeking their good health and fertility.

When: Aug. 31 at 4 p.m.
Where: Templo de La Merced, Av. de la Independencia 1300, Centro, Oaxaca de Juárez
Cost: Free

Anna Bruce is an award-winning British photojournalist based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Just some of the media outlets she has worked with include Vice, The Financial Times, Time Out, Huffington Post, The Times of London, the BBC and Sony TV. Find out more about her work at her website or visit her on social media on Instagram or on Facebook.

The post What’s on in Oaxaca in August? appeared first on Mexico News Daily

These types of celebrations are common throughout Oaxaca; just about every community has its own variant on the event, a syncretic festival that mixes the veneration of a Catholic patron saint with pre-conquest Indigenous traditions. This one in particular, the Vela de Xhavizende, originated nearly 200 kilometers away from Oaxaca city in Juchitán de Zaragoza, an eastern Oaxaca city of about 113,000, according to 2020 federal numbers.

The Vela de Xhavizende is meant to celebrate a 14th-century saint from Valencia, Spain, and also to bring good luck for the annual harvest. But what it’s also doing for this far-flung Oaxaca city community of Juchitecos, as they are called, is preserving their cultural heritage and sense of unity far from their original home.

Over the last several decades, Juchitecos who arrived looking for better work and educational opportunities have become a significant diaspora in Oaxaca city. Some estimates put them at about 10,000.

This celebration, which has taken place in Oaxaca city for over 35 years, is stewarded by the Association of Juchitecos Radicados en Oaxaca (Association of Juchitecos Living in Oaxaca). According to this year’s regada lead rider, Capitana María Sabina López Charis, her role as the “capitana” (captain) symbolizes “faith and celebration” as she leads her riders through the city’s streets.

López’s mother Nereyda is part of the association of stewards that organizes the festivities each year, and Nereyda and her daughters own Casa Juchitán, a Oaxaca city restaurant that champions traditional Istmeño food.

As I joined them for the mass and the regada this past week, López and her mother set aside a beautiful outfit for me, made up of an embroidered huipil, skirt, petticoat and gold filigree jewelry. López did my hair in braids and added flowers, which typically go with this style of dress. This is typical of Juchiteco celebrations, where everyone attending wears traditional attire. 

The family and friends getting ready at Casa Juchitán were given food and drink, including Juchiteco classics such as garnachas: mini tortillas fried in oil and served with tomato sauce, ground beef and chopped onion, sprinkled with dry, white cheese. A group of men (and a couple of younger boys) with their big brass instruments packed into the small restaurant to get food and big cups of fruit water (agua del día) and played as we made our final touches to our outfits.

At 3:30 p.m., López mounted a black horse brought to the front of the restaurant, and we began the walk through the city towards Our Lady of Guadalupe church in El Llano park. Upon arriving, our group was joined by other Juchitecas in beautiful, vibrant dresses. The church was full, and the priest gave a dynamic, uplifting mass in honor of the patron saint. He blessed the residents of Juchitán and those who had organized the festivities. After the mass, the whole community gathered behind López to begin the regada.

In Juchitán, regadas have roots in pagan ritual. In the original versions of the event, besides the fruits thrown into the crowd, there were also ox-drawn carts carrying people, gifts and a “queen” of the vela. This sharing of wealth was thought to bring good luck for the next harvest. 

Vico Peralta, a member of the association of Juchitecos, explained.

“They are gifts for nature,” he said. “Before, they used only fruits that came from the region, and the inhabitants returned the gift to the earth, giving away their fruits. This was before the arrival of the Spanish. After the conquest, they converted to Catholicism, and, now, apart from honoring Mother Nature, they also honor St. Vincent Ferrer.”

These days, carts are replaced by trucks, and the gifts thrown are things like plastic bowls, keychains and sweets. 

We walked southward from the church for several blocks before turning right on Calle Mariano Abasolo, heading towards the Alcala pedestrian thoroughfare. With each block, the streets became more packed, with people crowding the sidewalk to get a glimpse — and perhaps get their hands on some gifts being thrown.

By the time we reached the Templo de Santo Domingo church, the crowd completely overwhelmed us, partly because the regada coincided with the arrival of calendas — processions of musicians and dancers. 

Once the regada made it through, a small group with the band headed back to Casa Juchitán — where López and her family hosted a more intimate party late into the night.

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Much of Chagoya’s success to date has been through collaboration with other sectors of government, but also through his grassroots-minded initiatives, which directly involve residents. This has resulted in greater information-sharing with citizens and the strengthening of community relations.

Involving residents

Chagoya is focused on restoring Oaxaca’s identity as a heritage city by revitalizing the historic center and integrating conservation and maintenance teams. This includes an application for funds from the Association of Mexican World Heritage Cities. Key actions have included cleaning public areas with the involvement of residents, in community improvement events known as neighborhood tequios vecinales.

Tequios — an Indigenous word that embodies community values such as solidarity and teamwork — are groups of volunteers that are working with the government to plant trees, widen sidewalks and repair concrete and ironwork throughout the city.

Chagoya is particularly proud of the tequios’ success, which has gone a long way toward restoring areas in Oaxaca’s capital while at the same time bringing neighbors together.

Tackling Oaxaca city’s water issues

Chagoya has also been leading campaigns to dredge the city’s storm drains, essential work as Oaxaca’s rainy season arrives. 

The municipal government is doing its part by promoting drinking water and sanitation projects to ensure a sustainable supply and improve environmental conditions in Oaxaca de Juárez’s metropolitan area. This work coordinates efforts across various local government departments, with two key projects focused on water security, management and safety: Water for All and the Safe Rain Program. 

Chagoya said that water shortages in the city will not be solved by a single action but as a multistep plan that addresses issues with Oaxaca’s water sources — its rivers, reservoirs and wells. It also must deal with issues around water treatment, water distribution and, finally, water storage. Sewers must also be serviced during the rainy season to prevent flooding and further river contamination.

The Safe Rain Program includes preventive and immediate response actions to leaks and flooding in the city’s drainage system, in order to mitigate the rainy season’s effects on the capital. The priority is citizen safety.

Between this past June and November, monitoring of rain levels will be carried out throughout the city using a digital platform with an early warning system, coordinated with the regional meteorological radar and Mexico’s National Water Commission (CONAGUA). 

Water storage is a challenge, the mayor said, as space is limited and standing water poses a risk of harboring dengue-carrying mosquitoes. However, he has announced that studies are underway for the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, which he said will allow for the use of up to 56 million liters over the next three years.

So far, much of what has been visible in the media about efforts to address water shortages has been the donation of water tanks, known in Mexico as tinacos. The government has already delivered 3,500 water tanks to neighborhoods with the greatest water shortages. In addition, the government plans to install 36 new hydrants, 20 provided by the municipality and 16 by the state government. 

The wider, multifaceted water infrastructure plan underway seeks to strengthen the drinking water supply in strategic areas of the capital, with renovated infrastructure and increased operational capacity. This includes developing water treatment facilities, rehabilitating the city’s Trujano, Vincente Suárez and Candiani wells, developing complementary infrastructure such as an oscillation tower in Xoxocotlán to improve water pressure and providing water storage solutions via tinacos. 

Cleaning up the Atoyac River

Chagoya has highlighted the growing success of the wastewater treatment plant in San Juan Bautista La Raya, near Oaxaca International Airport, which will improve the water quality of the increasingly polluted Atoyac River, an essential water source that has been the subject of concern. There has also been collaboration with the Oaxaca state government to clean the river, and construction has started on the road alongside it.

In the heart of the city, where the Atoyac runs behind the Abastos municipal market, a major cleanup has been completed, which removed mountains of trash that were previously spilling down the banks.

Chagoya emphasizes the importance of collective awareness, of caring for water, not wasting it, and understanding that its scarcity is not just a technical problem but also a shared societal responsibility. He shared this sentiment in a recent social media post. 

“Water is life, it is health, and it is key to the sustainable development of our capital. Let’s reflect on its value and the responsibility we share to preserve it. Every drop counts. Every action contributes. Let’s continue building a more conscious, greener and more committed Oaxaca de Juárez,” he wrote.

The next few months will be telling about Chagoya’s government’s effectiveness at tackling these issues, since the rains in Oaxaca have only just begun. Chagoya also faces this month’s Guelaguetza festival, one of Oaxaca’s busiest seasons for cultural activities in the city.

These challenges will test the mayor’s primary goals — specifically maintaining community safety and cohesion while supporting a city that stays clean and healthy. 

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Even without a ticket to the auditorium, there are many ways to enjoy the Guelaguetza experience. Street parades, markets, and other celebrations bring the festival to life beyond the stadium. Throughout July, artisan, food, and mezcal fairs are held in the city and surrounding towns. 

Danza de la Pluma

Great places to visit for Guelaguetza include Zimatlan, Teotitlan del Valle and Cuilápam de Guerrero. These celebrations include la Danza de la Pluma. This dance reenacts the Spanish conquest through the depiction of two warring factions — the Spanish and the Mexica. Dancers wear large semicircular headdresses made from thousands of brightly colored feathers, embedded with mirrors representing the moon and stars. Each Monday, more than a dozen communities from Oaxaca’s eight regions take the stage, with different groups performing in the morning and afternoon shows. Through dance, music, and traditional clothing, they showcase the unique traditions and identities of their communities.

When: Every Monday until July 21
Cost: No cover
Where: Across Oaxaca

Tlayuda Fair

Enjoy the best of Oaxacan cuisine with a wide variety of tlayudas and traditional products. The event will include “The World’s Largest Tlayuda!” Come witness Oaxaca set a new world record for the largest tlayuda! 

When: July 11-13, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: No cover
Where: Parque Primavera Oaxaqueña. 

Mezcal Fair

One of the most anticipated events during the Guelaguetza season, bringing over 300 Oaxacan mezcals under one roof. This spirit is a taste of Oaxaca, with deep roots expressing tradition and terroir. While mezcal is the focus, you’ll also find local brewers, coffee roasters, traditional foods, and artisans showcasing their work.

When: July 18 29, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Cost: 75 pesos
Where: Centro Cultural y de Convenciones de Oaxaca

Cocktail collaboration night

Caldo de Piedra make their famous soup,  a culinary tradition that dates back to pre-Hispanic times. This gastronomic heritage has been preserved by families of San Felipe Usila, in Tuxtepec, a Chinantec town in Oaxaca. The soup is made up of a broth, shrimp, fish, onions, herbs, and chile, heated by fire-heated stones. 

Espacio Verde will provide fresh oysters and sushi, while Rambling Spirits will serve a selection of cocktails to support each dish.

When: 19 July, 12 p.m.
Cost: No cover
Where: Caldo de Piedra, Carretera al tule Cristóbal Colón 116, Tlalixtac de Cabrera

3rd Anniversary of Mezcaleria Quiote

Driven by a deep passion for mezcal and a commitment to preserving its authentic roots, Celia created a space to honor the connection between the land and its people, allowing the rich stories of mezcal to be shared. You know you are on the right path to finding this hidden gem by following signs saying “rare mezcal.’

When:  July 28th, 4 p.m.
Cost: No cover
Where: Quiote Mezcaleria – C. José López Alavez 1423, Xochimilco, 68040.

Ghibli in concert

A concert in tribute to Joe Hisaishi. Mamoru Fujisawa, known professionally as Joe Hisaishi, is a Japanese composer, musical director, conductor, and pianist, known for over 100 film scores and solo albums dating back to 1981. 

When: July 5, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Cost: 350 MXN in advance, 400 MXN at the door
Where: Casa Ceiba 

Workshop with SUBTERRÁNEOS

 

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The Casa Subterránea Art School is an educational and artistic initiative with a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative approach. Its mission is to foster the creative and critical development of young people from vulnerable backgrounds, offering them a learning space that prioritizes respect, participation, and reflection. You can learn about the graphic traditions of Oaxaca and how to make large-format paper stencil.

When: Monday – Saturday 1.30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Cost: 400 pesos per person, including materials
Where: Constitución 502, Ruta Independencía, Centro, 68000

Anna Bruce is an award-winning British photojournalist based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Just some of the media outlets she has worked with include Vice, The Financial Times, Time Out, Huffington Post, The Times of London, the BBC and Sony TV. Find out more about her work at her website or visit her on social media on Instagram or on Facebook.

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But there are still plenty of things to do in June. Check out the activities below!

Bachata class to live music by the CN Band

If you are looking to meet some people during your stay in Oaxaca city, Casa de Elfo is a great spot for it. And a night of dancing is a great way to break the ice! Learn how to dance bachata, which originates from the Dominican Republic, to live music by Oaxaca’s own CN Band. 

When: Every Monday, 8 p.m.
Where: Casa del Elfo, 703 Reforma (Casa de Barro), Oaxaca
Cost: Free (donation 50 pesos)

 

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VIERNES- ‘An imaginary town that really exists’

A photographic exhibition by Claudio Vandi at the Museum of Oaxaca Painters, a.k.a., El MUPO is running all throughout June. In his show “Viernes,” Vandi brings together photography and storytelling to explore how the weekly market (specifically of Ocotlán de Morelos, Oaxaca) can become a symbolic stage.

Vandi transforms the town into a theater of possibility, where forms, colors, and people reveal mythical and cultural resonances. The work is meant to be a dialogue with the work of the late Oaxacan artist Rodolfo Morales (1925–2001) on the centenary of his birth.

When: Open throughout June, Tuesday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Museo del Pintores Oaxaqueños, Avenida Independencia 607, Centro, in the Rufino Tamayo Room.
Cost: 20 pesos

Create bespoke jewelry

Mexico City’s Diego Mario Estudio will be teaching an incredible workshop at Habita. Create your own necklace, even if you have no experience in jewelry.

Over 100 types of recycled beads made with natural materials will be provided. Plus, a delicious brunch is included, prepared by Onnno Cafe. A creative and delicious experience!

When: June 7, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Habita, Calle de la Constitución 215, Centro
Cost: 1,600 pesos

Oaxaca Symphony Orchestra: Mozart and Mendelssohn concert

This concert on the Oaxaca Symphony Orchestra’s summer schedule highlights the work of Mozart and Mendelssohn, by guest director Luis Manuel García, a former México State Orchestra conductor and current director of the México State Music Conservatory.

The program will also feature performances of pieces by modernist French composer Darius Mihaud, who as a professor at U.S universities in the 1950s was a teacher and mentor to Dave Brubeck, Philip Glass and Burt Bacharach, among many other modernist composers of the 20th century.

When: June 7, 7 p.m.
Where: Macedonia Alcalá Theater
Cost:  Free
For more information, call: (951) 516-8312 or (951) 516-8292

Cyanotype Children’s Workshop

Children aged six to 12 can discover a magical way of taking photographs without a camera, using natural pigments and sunlight.

Cyanotype is an early photographic printing process, often called “sun printing,” that produces a blue print with a distinctive Prussian blue color.

When: June 7, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Panal de Abejas MX, San Andrés Huayapam
Cost: 200 pesos (materials included). More info and registration: @carobau.art

Miel San Marco’s 25th anniversary tour

Miel San Marcos performs in Oaxaca as part of its 25th-anniversary tour. A Christian band from Guatemala, they were founded in 2000 by the Morales brothers, Josh, Luis and Samy. The group has gained recognition and multiple awards for their music, including nominations for Latin Grammys and Dove Awards.

When: June 8, 1 p.m.
Where: Gran Salon, Centro de Convenciones
Cost: 550 pesos

Oaxaca Pride March

Oaxaca city’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride caravan marches through Oaxaca city this year on June 21. The march’s welcoming slogan is “The March belongs to everyone!”

The starting meetup point is at the Fuente de las Ocho Regiones, near the nursing school. Participants will then walk down Calzada Porfirio Diaz towards Oaxaca’s historic center.

When: June 21, 4 p.m.
Where: Meetup point is at Fuente de Ocho Regiones, Oaxaca
Cost: Free

Anna Bruce is an award-winning British photojournalist based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Just some of the media outlets she has worked with include Vice, The Financial Times, Time Out, Huffington Post, The Times of London, the BBC and Sony TV. Find out more about her work at her website or visit her on social media on Instagram or on Facebook.

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