December 2023, an ideal time to visit Oaxaca
Posadas
On December 16, Mexico begins a nine-day celebration known as “Las Posadas,” an important tradition for many Catholic Mexicans. This celebration reenacts the trials Mary and Joseph endured before finding a place for Jesus to be born. Families take turns holding the Posada in their home while the remaining adults and children act as pilgrims, walking from house to house carrying candles and singing, looking for somewhere to stay. At each house, the resident rejects the pilgrims through song. The weary pilgrims continue from house to house until they reach the pre-designated place where the Posada is being held. Mary and Joseph are finally recognized and allowed to enter. And the celebration begins!
This program allows you to observe and participate in some of Oaxaca's most traditional Christmas celebrations and cultural expressions.
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Noche de Rababos
Among other fun things to experience in Oaxaca in December is “La noche de los Rabanos” or “Night of the Radishes,” a collection of altars around the Zocalo representing the traditions of Oaxaca and nativity scenes created with a fascinating range of vegetables, including radishes of different sizes, dried flowers, and husk.
Key program facts
USD 549
per person
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The two weeks program includes:
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-
Twenty hours of Spanish language classes. (Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM)
​
-
Twenty hours of practical sessions
a) Tertulia cultural
or
b) Thematic courses about Christmas and December’s cultural celebrations.
​
-
Piñata Making & Cooking Workshop (16 hours, Monday to Thursday, 2 hours in the afternoon)
-
Participation in ICO's Posada (one evening - date & time TBD)
USD 499
per person
​
The two weeks program includes:
​
-
Twenty hours of Spanish language classes. (Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM)
​
-
Twenty hours of practical sessions
a) Tertulia cultural
or
b) Thematic courses about Christmas and December’s cultural celebrations.
​
-
Piñata Making & Cooking Workshop (16 hours, Monday to Thursday, 2 hours in the afternoon)
-
Noche de Rabanos Tour (details to be disclosed closer to the date)
USD 875
per person
This four-week program includes:
​
-
40 hours of Spanish language classes (Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM)
-
40 hours of practical sessions
a) Tertulia cultural
or
b) Thematic courses about Christmas and December’s cultural celebrations.
​
-
32 hours of cultural workshops
(Monday to Thursday, 2 hours in the afternoon)
​
-
Participation in ICO's Posada(one evening - date & time TBD)
​
- Noche de Rabanos Tour (details to be disclosed closer to the date)
​
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To participate in this course, it is necessary to pay for 50% of the course at the time of booking, and the balance is due upon arrival. *No registration fee is required for this course)
