Does the Night of the Radishes sound like a horror movie? Or maybe a comedy? It’s actually a holiday!​

​Night of the Radishes, or Noche de Rabanos, is an annual event that happens on December 23rd in Oaxaca, Mexico. It started in colonial times when Spain brought radishes to Mexico.​

​Farmers in Oaxaca were known for their wood carvings. To draw attention to their carvings at the city’s Christmas market, they started to carve colorful radishes instead. In 1897, the city made radish carving an official competition.​

​Night of the Radishes has become very popular. Each year there are over 100 carvers and thousands of visitors. The event is so big that the city has to dedicate land to grow enough radishes.​

​Radishes wilt soon after they are cut. So radish sculptures can only be displayed for a short time. That means that there are very long lines of people waiting to see the unique carvings.​

​The most traditional subject for the carvings is the nativity scene. But there are also carvings of other biblical scenes, folklore, and history. Artists carve people, animals, food, and even monsters. ​

​Night of the Radishes also has competitions for sculptures made out of corn husks and dried flowers. There are prizes for these categories, as well as for the main radish category. There are special prizes for children to encourage young people to continue the tradition. ​

​Like many good things, Night of the Radishes doesn’t last long. It ends after a few hours as the radishes begin to wilt. Enjoy it while you can!