Is It Safe to Visit the Martes de Brujas (Witch Tuesday) Festival in Xoxocotlán at Night?

What Martes de Brujas actually is

Martes de Brujas, or “Witch Tuesday,” is a long running Lenten tradition held in Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, a municipality directly south of Oaxaca City. The name sounds mysterious, but the origin is practical and communal rather than occult. The word bruja refers to small oil lamps that women once used to light their way at night while bringing food to workers building the local church. Over time, those lamps became symbolic, and the weekly food gathering evolved into a full community event.

Today, the celebration takes place every Tuesday night during Lent, beginning after Ash Wednesday and continuing until Holy Week. The event centers on the main plaza, where families gather to eat tamales, drink hot atole, and spend the evening together. It is not a parade or a religious procession. It is a social, food focused tradition that happens to take place at night.

Yes, there are stage shows and performances

The stage you see in many Martes de Brujas photos is an intentional part of the event. Each Tuesday, a temporary stage is set up in or near the plaza, and the evening usually includes live entertainment. This can range from traditional dance groups and local musicians to community theater, school performances, or invited regional artists.

Some nights are more low key, with simple music or cultural presentations. Other nights, especially at the beginning or peak of the season, can feel closer to a town festival, with larger crowds and more elaborate shows. The performances are family friendly and designed for locals first, which is why the tone stays accessible and informal rather than polished or tourist focused.

An honest word about Xoxocotlán as a destination

Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán is not generally considered one of the most charming or polished towns in the Oaxaca region for casual wandering. Outside of specific events, it is more residential and utilitarian than picturesque, and it is not a place most visitors would choose to go for an evening stroll.

But during Martes de Brujas the atmosphere is completely different from an ordinary evening. The plaza fills with families, vendors, performers, municipal staff, and visitors. Lighting is improved, traffic is controlled, and security presence is visibly increased. The result is a temporary transformation where the area feels busy, social, and notably safer than it normally would at night.

Is it safe to attend at night?

During Martes de Brujas, the answer for most travelers is yes, with reasonable precautions. The event draws large crowds of local families, including children and older adults, which naturally changes the dynamic of the space. Municipal police, traffic officers, and civil protection staff are typically present, and the concentration of people creates a sense of shared oversight.

That said, this is still a crowded nighttime event. Keep valuables secure, avoid drifting away from the main plaza, and do not treat the evening like an open ended bar crawl. If you arrive with a clear plan, stay within the event zone, and leave when you are ready rather than lingering aimlessly, most visitors report feeling comfortable throughout the night.

Practical tips for a comfortable visit

Arrive between 7:00 and 8:00 PM. This gives you time to eat before lines get long and lets you enjoy the early performances. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket, as evenings can cool down. Carry small bills for food and drinks, since most vendors do not accept cards.

The easiest way to get there and back is by taxi or ride hailing service from Oaxaca City. If you drive, arrive early and be patient when leaving, as traffic builds up after performances end. When you are ready to go, move a block or two away from the densest crowd before requesting a ride.

What to do and what not to do

Do come hungry and curious. Do treat the event as a community gathering rather than a spectacle. Do enjoy the performances, food, and atmosphere at a relaxed pace.

Do not mock the name, dress in costume, or treat the festival as a novelty. Do not wander far from the plaza late at night. Do not assume the same safety conditions apply on non festival nights.

The bottom line

Martes de Brujas is not about thrill seeking or nightlife. It is about food, tradition, and neighbors sharing an evening together. Xoxocotlán may not be a town most travelers would explore at night under normal circumstances, but during this celebration, the atmosphere changes enough to make it a worthwhile and generally safe experience. If you go with awareness, respect, and a clear plan, Martes de Brujas offers a genuine glimpse into a living Oaxacan tradition.