Who doesn't like freebies? I do, and that's why this is one of my favourite holidays in Oaxaca…read more I know it's not the most important part of the holiday but it makes it quite exciting. So the basic story is that on the fourth Friday of lent people recreate a bible passage in which a Samaritan woman gave Jesus water from a well. So now every year there's people lineups waiting to get a glass of free "agua", which is not the same as a jugo (agua is somewhat of a watered down juice mixed with sugar or syrup). The beauty of this is the people don't deny the glass of water to anyone and the tables where the water jugs are, tend to be decorated with flowers to make it look like a well like in the bible.

Mid July is a very popular time for tourists to visit Oaxaca - mainly for Guelaguetza parades…read more(desfiles, calendas, and convites), music/dance performances, and specialized festivals - with the two Mondays on the Hill being the biggest draw. Many nearby towns also have their own events and celebrations. The main auditorium features morning and afternoon shows each of the two main Mondays. For those who want to watch for free, come EARLY and line up and WAIT to get in. You can often get a great seat! The multi-group dance shows go for about 4 hours each - with pre-event bands playing for about 2 hours prior to the main event. To get in requires passing through an airport style security check - where water is taken away and empty bottles are not allowed. This mainly just protects the concession owner(s) selling things inside. There are also vendors selling food and other items outside. The Sunday night before the first main Monday shows features a (free) performance of the famous local legend about (Zapotec Princess) Donaji. The auditorium can probably hold around 1,500 people? For those not able to get a paid or free ticket, wanting to watch dance shows, the baseball stadium can hold more people and doesn't charge for the shows by the "teachers". There are also many similar performances at the various festivals, in the city's plazas and almost nightly parades. Almost all events mentioned randomly throw various small gifts into the crowd - and many people also often offer free shots of of Mezcal.

I've visited Oaxaca twice for Dia de Muertos and I can't imagine a better place to participate in…read morethe festivities. The city is positively hopping with vendors and parades and the decorations and ofrendas are amazing! We usually go to the Pantheon General on the night of Nov. 1, where the locals are celebrating the lives of their dearly departed. Outside the Pantheon, it's very similar to a carnival/street fair atmosphere you'd experience in the states. All manner of bright lights and street food available. It's definitely a strange juxtaposition to the relatively somber, yet festive atmosphere inside the cemetery. The arcade walls are lit with votive candles and it's just beautiful. The city of Oaxaca is beautiful, no matter what, but during DDM, it's so wonderfully colorful and it's such a special atmosphere to in which to participate and experience.

If you come to Oaxaca for holidays, you can't miss the Noche de Rabanos. It's an annual event…read morededicated to the carving of oversized radishes that has been celebrated since the late 1800's on Dec. 23. Back in the day farmers would carve the radishes (which were introduced by the Spanish) as a way to attract customers attention during the Christmas market which as you may guess happened on Dec. 23. Over the years, the farmers/artists need more & more space to display their creations, and are not only limited to radishes, but now there's also pieces of art made with corn husks & dried flowers. Believe me, you might feel a bit anxious by looking at the endless line up, considering it's only available for a few hours (after all we're dealing with fresh produce), but it's worth it, you can't miss this event! In case you were wondering what happens to the radishes after the event? sadly they have to be thrown away, since they use chemicals to make them grow to a supersize, they can't be eaten or used for compost (unless you want inorganic compost that will kill your plants)

A beautiful spot with good views of the city, but be careful hiking around there alone. Numerous…read moremuggings occur in the area, and it is under patrolled by police. A person staying in the B&B I'm in was mugged at knife point by 2 people in id day, taking his watch, call phone and the little cash he was carrying.