Warmth and Whimsy in Oaxaca, Mexico
December 20-27, 2026
Oaxaca for the Holidays
December is a magical time of year in Oaxaca City with enchanting lights along cobblestone streets, gorgeously decorated cathedrals, festive music all around and beautiful holy processions, including Las Posadas Navideñas that happens for nine nights, starting on December 16. Las Posadas are processions that re-enact the trials that Joseph and Mary went through as they looked for a safe place for Jesus to be born. On Christmas eve, the last Posada is followed by the Calenda del Niño Dios, the parade for the son of God, until they arrive at the final church for midnight mass.
At the heart of the festivities of La Navidad is the one and only La Noche de Rábanos, perhaps the quirkiest art festival you’ve never heard of. Every December 23rd, since 1897, the zocalo in Oaxaca City, Mexico is transformed into whimsical art installation of a most unique art medium, RADISHES! But not just any radishes. These radishes are specially grown for this event every year. Some of these babies grow to over 2 feet long and can weigh more than 6 pounds each! There are 100 sculptures created for this festival. It is one of the most delightful and inspiring experiences for us.
We’d like to share it with you. All of it. We’ll stay at Casa Colonial, a garden sanctuary in the heart of Oaxaca City. We’ll learn some carving techniques from a local woodcarving master, Jesus Sosa Calvo and visit the innovative wood carving village of San Martin Tilcajete. We’ll smile our faces off as we take in the Rábanos exhibition and create our own collective radish sculpture, inspired by our experience. We’ll spend Christmas morning at the ancient Zapotec city of Monte Alban, an amazing place. We’ll also share meals and songs and the joy of Navidad season together.
We’re going to finish our time together in Oaxaca with a service project at a local non-profit organization that supports families whose members are in the civic hospital. Many of these people receiving services are under extreme hardship. In addition to the community service we’re going to provide, $50 of your registration fee will be donated to the organization.
The Christmas season in Oaxaca City is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. The temperature hovers in the low 70s. It’s bright and sunny, and the city is jubilant with celebration. Space is limited for this magical holiday experience. Please check out the itinerary and registration details below. We hope you’ll join us!
Join us in Wondrous Oaxaca
Oaxaca, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a vibrant, welcoming, historical and culturally rich city in southern Mexico. Oaxaca has become a world class destination …from eating unique regional cuisine and mezcal tastings to ancient archaeological sites and lovely artisan villages. It is home to many indigenous peoples most prominently the Zapotec and Mixtec people of the central valleys. Oaxaca is also where you’ll find some of the finest artists in the world and abounds with ceramics, textiles, tin art, woodcarvings, jewelry, and so much more. There is also a prolific contemporary art scene with many murals, printmaking studios, photography and modern art galleries to enjoy. The vibrant atmosphere, fabulous food, and friendly people make Oaxaca an amazing place to visit.
Casa Colonial
It’s still possible to find places in this world that transport you to a tranquil sense of Home you wish you could experience at home! Casa Colonial is a magical haven in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Oaxaca City. You just might find yourself content to spend your free time luxuriating in their lush garden courtyard, or reading in the library, surrounded by glorious local artwork. We’ve worked with the staff at Casa Colonial for years now, and they truly feel like family. You will feel welcome and at home in this beautiful refuge just a short walk from the city center and all of the cultural and artistic richness it has to offer.
Itinerary
Dec 20 – Arrival day. Everyone arrives at various times so there are no specific plans for today. Upon arrival feel free to get settled in, relax at the Casa or explore the city.
Dec 21 – Breakfast at the Casa. This morning we’ll take a walk into the Centro (city center) taking in the sights of Oaxaca city and getting a lay of the land. We’ll enjoy the ornate colonial architecture, beautiful cathedrals and the zocalo (city center park) bustling with activity. We’ll have lunch with the group on the zocalo then head back to Casa Colonial (the Casa) for a wood carving workshop with Jesus Sosa Calvo. Optional light dinner and Solstice celebration at the Casa.
Dec 22 – After breakfast at the Casa, we’ll head to the village of San Martin Tilcajete to meet a mask carver and learn about their creations. Then it’s a wonderful lunch with the group at one of our favorite restaurants in Ocotlan valley. Next we’ll head to San Antonino Castillo Velasco, where a large portion of the food for Oaxaca is grown, including the specially cultivated radishes for the Noche de Rábaos festival. Here we’ll pick our radishes for our own collaborative sculpture. We’ll return to the Casa and the rest of your evening is free to enjoy some of the many festivities of the holiday season.
Dec 23 – Today is Noche de Rábanos day! We’ll have breakfast at the Casa then spend time together developing ideas for our own radish sculpture. We’ll guide this process in a fun and collaborative way. We’ll head down to the Zocalo for lunch then get in line for the Noche de Rábanos festival. After delighting in all the fantastical radish sculptures (as well as wonderful corn husk sculptures) we’ll visit the gorgeous cathedral all decorated for Navidad then head to one of the fine Michelin rated restaurants in town for dinner with the group.
Dec 24 – We’ll have breakfast at the Casa then begin the process of carving our collaborative radish sculpture. With all the inspiration we’ve gathered from the Noche de Rábanos festival we’ll have so much fun turning our collective design into a silly masterpiece of our own. Lunch with the group and then we’ll have a light reception where we and friends can enjoy the fruits of our labor. Tonight we’ll enjoy the final procession of the Posada Navideña and the Calenda del Niño Dios at the zocalo.
Dec 25 – Feliz Navidad! After breakfast, we’ll honor this day with a hike around Monte Alban, the amazing ancient city and archaeological treasure of the Zapotec people of Oaxaca, who are still thriving today. Then we’ll return to the Casa to share a delicious holiday dinner together prepared by the wonderful staff there. Your evening is free to explore and enjoy the festivities around town or relax at the Casa.
Dec 26 – On our final full day together, we’ll have breakfast at the Casa then head to the Estancia Fraternidad, a local non-profit that feeds, houses, and supports families in need. We’ll spend a couple of hours volunteering there. Our way of giving back to the people and city of Oaxaca who have welcomed and shared with us so graciously. We’ll then have a lovely closing group lunch together. The rest of your day is free to further explore, enjoy galleries and museums or just relax.
Dec 27 – Breakfast at the Casa then fly away home with a heart full of joy and gratitude for Oaxaca and the delightful radishes that brought us together.
- Itinerary is subject to change
- Airfare is not included. When searching for airfares the Oaxaca code is OAX.
- Included: Workshops, hotel for 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners, and guided tours.
- Alcoholic beverages are not included
Price
Single $2,895
Shared Double $2,495
(Price if sharing room with another person taking the workshop)
Deposit
$750 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot
Balance due October 1, 2026
Cancellation Policy
$750 deposit will be forfeited for cancellation.
No refunds (unless we are able to fill your space) after October 1, 2026.
If the workshop is canceled for reasons beyond our control you will receive an 80% refund on the full fee.
Hotel Information
Casa Colonial
Calle Miguel Negrete 105,
Santa María del Marquesado, Ex-Marquezado
68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Check out Rick Steves for recommendations and advice on types of coverage.
www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/travel-insurance
To Enroll
Once you have submitted your registration form, Mija or Jon will contact you with payment options.
If you have any questions email Mija at mija.matriz@gmail.com
About Us: Your Organizers
JON LABROUSSE and MIJA MATRIZ
Creativity flourishes with good company. And DEEP ENERGY.
Mija and Jon are creators and connectors. We are passionate about our potential for human expression and collaboration. We have a vision for a more connected world, a more celebratory world, a world that delights in the challenges and rewards of cooperation. A world we ALL want to live and participate in.
We’re both artists, ourselves. Mija is a mixed media visual artist. Jon is a poet and musician. And we have a gift for holding space for artistic exploratoin and development.
We’re striving to build an International Art Collective that honors every creative who is willing to bet on themselves, who feels moved to thrive in community.
Oaxaca City is a place like no other on earth. In our experience, it’s a place where art is living, breathing, and ever evolving, celebrating life and indigenous cultural heritage, challenging social injustice, fighting for equity and representation.
Our retreats offer a perfect balance of creative time, and explore Oaxaca time. We love and respect Oaxaca. You will, too. And you’ll grow and learn, as an artist. We all will. Your Creative Community can expand with us.