About Night of the Radishes
The Night of the Radishes is an annual event held on December 23rd in Oaxaca, Mexico, dedicated to the carving of oversized radishes. The carvings typically create scenes that compete for prizes in various categories and are arguably the most impressive display of carved vegetables in the world.
Children are taught to carve radishes into elaborate shapes and adults enter competitions with carved radishes depicting world events, including religious scenes like the nativity and the last supper.
The event has its origins in the colonial period when radishes were introduced by the Spanish. Oaxaca has a long wood carving tradition and farmers began carving radishes into figures as a way to attract customers’ attention at the Christmas market, which was held in the main square on December 23.
