Mercado Tlacolula on Christmas Eve

I just asked some old timers here who said it will go ahead, and that answer makes sense to me since the locals celebrate late in the day on the 24. For evidence, they pointed out that last year it was held on 25 of Dec., and went ahead, although a little quieter, some usual participants no doubt slept in.

I go to this market fairly regularly. People usually start packing it up in the late afternoon. I have never gotten an inkling that it goes on into the evening as people start heading back to their villages with their wares and the buses are always crowded as people start heading home. So I am not sure anything would be going on in the evening. Although I am sure Christmas eve there would be fun around the church.

Thank you all so much for your responses!!

I just asked some old timers here who said it will go ahead, and that answer makes sense to me since the locals celebrate late in the day on the 24. For evidence, they pointed out that last year it was held on 25 of Dec., and went ahead, although a little quieter, some usual participants no doubt slept in.

Of the times I've been in Oaxaca, it's never been for Christmas. In most of the rest of Mexico businesses tend to close mid-afternoon on the 24th as shopkeepers and workers, and everyone else, prepare for Noche Buena ... an evening (and overnight) when most stay at home to enjoy time with family and friends. Has this been your experience? I mention this because if the OP is expecting to see a lot of people out and about as the evening progresses ... he/she may be disappointed.

Thanks.

LW

In most of the rest of Mexico businesses tend to close mid-afternoon on the 24th as shopkeepers and workers, and everyone else, prepare for Noche Buena ... an evening (and overnight) when most stay at home to enjoy time with family and friends. Has this been your experience?

Yes. It´s similar in Oaxaca. The Tlacolula market is busy in the mornings. I´ve gone at 8 AM or so. Most tourists show up later in the morning. I don´t expect it would be open in the evening whether it´s the 24 of Dec. or any other Sunday.

PS: I interpreted the original ¨Christmas Eve¨ to refer to the date (24) and not the time of day (evening). Perhaps that led to some confusion.

Although I am sure Christmas eve there would be fun around the church.

Yes.There ought to be a mass and calenda. Check for posters on the church door as you walk by. And the chapel adjoining the church is the most stunning temple in the central valleys. Definitly worth a look and see.

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