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NOCHE BUENA--CHRISTMAS EVE--in OAXACA

This is a particularly good time to be in Oaxaca. The weather is usually superb, with cool, clear evenings, sunny days, and cloudless, deep blue skies.

On Christmas eve, starting at about 8:00 calendas from Oaxaca's many churches converge on the zocalo. Calendas are exuberant marches usually led by musicians and elegantly costumed dancers, and punctuated by fireworks. Next comes a float decorated with a Christmas scene. These can vary from a simple arch with a boy and girl dressed as Mary and Joseph to elaborate nativity scenes complete with adoring shepherds, white-winged angels, and gift-bearing potentates. Each float is followed by a procession of members of the church's congregation carrying candles, singing, or throwing candy to the crowd of onlookers.

Here are a few scenes from Noche Buena, 2006:

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