Festival on the Zócalo

Before Christmas I posted some pictures on the blog showing the preparations for the holiday festival that was to be held on the Zócalo, Mexico City's main plaza.  I wrote that I probably wouldn't go to the festival this year because it seemed to be the same as it had been the last two years.  Well, yesterday I ended up going downtown and checking out the festivities.  I figured that on a Monday it would not be insanely crowded.

The last two years the festival has been called a "Verbena navideña" (a "verbena" is a street party held for a saint's day or other religious holiday).  This year, however, it is called "Luces de invierno, Festival en el Zócalo" (Winter Lights Festival on the Zócalo).  The name has changed, but it was largely the same.  

One big improvement was made.  Last year the Zócalo was surrounded by metal barricades.  There were only a few places through which one could enter or exit the plaza.  When Alejandro and I were there last year on a weekend evening, the crush of people passing through was terrible. I was afraid that I was going to be trampled.  It was the only time that I have ever felt physically unsafe in Mexico City.  This year, the Zócalo was wide open for the most part.

This colorful gate on Avenue 20 de Noviembre (a street which empties into the Zócalo) was new.

Beyond the entrance was a plant market with vendors from local nurseries.

Entering into the Zocalo...

As in previous years, there were three large Christmas trees created from hundreds of poinsettia plants.

However, the poinsettias were sadly in need of watering.

There was a gigantic Nativity scene...

...with an even more oversized Baby Jesus.

A stage was set up at one end of the plaza, and musical acts were scheduled throughout the two weeks of the festival.

There were two large tents set up with handicrafts markets.  Most of the merchandise in the first tent was low quality "tourist junk".

However, the other tent, which was labeled "Artesanos" (artisans) was a different story.

If you have followed this blog for any length of time, you know me and handicrafts.

This tent was my downfall...