With near-perfect weather and a calendar packed with unique fiestas and cultural events, it's no wonder this captivating corner of southern Mexico lures visitors year-round.
One of the city's best shindigs of the year, the Gueleguetza fest electrifies Oaxaca with a brilliant feast of folkloric dance in July, and in November it's all about the soulful and festively macabre celebrations for Day of the Dead.
For both events, along with the expensive spring and winter vacation periods, book accommodations months in advance. Conversely, if you're on a tight budget, make the most of the post-holiday lull and experience dramatic Zapotec ruins and Oaxaca's other unmissable sights without the crowds.
Many folks make it a point to visit Oaxaca for Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a magical time of year when candlelit altars pop up in the public squares and cemeteries and Catrina figures (elegant skeletons) parade through the historic center's cobbled streets. Día de Muertos falls on November 1 and 2, but celebrations often start several days beforehand.
A lesser-known yet wonderfully Oaxacan tradition unfolds on December 23, when large radish sculptures are displayed on the Zócalo in an age-old competition. The creative and often amusing carvings for La Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes) range from elaborate dioramas to odd animal figures.
Weather-wise, these are the coolest and driest months of the year, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking in Oaxaca's wildlife-rich mountain towns. And while this is generally considered peak season, you can usually score hotel deals in late November, early December and February.
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Guelaguetza, an annual indigenous cultural event showcasing Oaxaca's folkloric dance and music traditions, is one of the best festivals of the year, and with it comes the Feria del Mezcal, a weeklong fair that draws some 70 mezcal brands, craft beer producers and live music acts.
Guelaguetza (meaning "offering" in Zapotec) usually takes place during the final two weeks of July, and it coincides with the beginning of Mexico's summer vacation season, which runs through August.
The pleasant summer months bring some afternoon thunderstorms as daytime highs hover in the mid-80s°F.
September marks the end of the Mexican vacation season, but Independence Day lies just around the corner. On September 15, the eve of Día de la Independencia, large crowds gather in the main square to hear the governor's version of the Grito de Dolores (Miguel Hidalgo's famous cry to rebellion in 1810) from the central balcony of the Palacio de Gobierno.
Despite the busy Independence Day celebrations, these are some of the best months to seek airfare and hotel bargains, especially in the wake of Spring Break. October is generally chilled out until Day of the Dead festivities get underway. (For more on events, see the Oaxaca Culture Secretariat's latest posts.)
Key events: New Year's Day, Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos)
Key events: Carnaval, Candlemas
Key events: Benito Juarez's birthday
Key events: Holy Week
Key events: Festival del Mole
Key events: Guelaguetza, Feria del Mezcal
Key events: Encuentro de Cocineras Zapotecas
Key events: Independence Day
Key events: Día de Muertos
Key events: Night of the Radishes, Christmas, Fiesta de la Soledad
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