The world is full of fascinating traditions and celebrations, many of which are so unique and downright bizarre that they seem otherworldly. From throwing tomatoes in Spain to racing with bulls in the streets of Pamplona, there’s no shortage of quirky festivals that captivate both locals and tourists alike. These strange celebrations not only reflect the rich cultural heritage of the countries they originate from, but also provide a glimpse into the creative, fun, and sometimes wacky ways people come together to celebrate life, history, and even the supernatural. I hope you’re ready to learn about some of the most unusual festivals around the world because that’s what we have for you. Here are 17 weird festivals from around the world.
1. La Tomatina, Spain
Held annually in Buñol, Spain, La Tomatina is the world’s largest food fight. Participants throw over 100 tons of ripe tomatoes at each other in the streets, creating a massive, messy spectacle.
2. The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling, England
Every year in Gloucestershire, England, competitors race down a steep hill after a wheel of cheese. The goal? To catch the runaway cheese. It’s dangerous, chaotic, and nothing short of extraordinary.
3. The Night of the Radishes, Mexico
In Oaxaca, Mexico, people carve elaborate scenes and figures out of radishes for this annual festival. The Night of the Radishes takes place every December 23 and is a celebration of the region’s Christmas traditions.
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4. Krampusnacht, Austria and Germany
On Krampusnacht, people dress as the devilish Krampus to frighten children into good behavior. The festival takes place on December 5 in Austria and parts of Germany, where the Krampus parades through the streets.
5. The Boryeong Mud Festival, South Korea
Held in Boryeong, South Korea, this festival celebrates everything mud-related. Thousands of visitors flock to the event to cover themselves in therapeutic mud, engage in mud fights, and enjoy mud-based beauty treatments.
6. Holi, India
Holi, the festival of colors, is one of the most famous celebrations in India. Held during spring, participants throw colored powder at each other, dance, sing, and enjoy festivities with friends and family.
7. The Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand
In Lopburi, Thailand, the Monkey Buffet Festival is a wild event where locals lay out a massive feast for the town’s monkey population. The monkeys feast on fruits, vegetables, and other treats, much to the amusement of visitors.
8. The Festival of the Lost Souls, Haiti
In Haiti, the Festival of the Lost Souls honors the spirits of the deceased. On this night, locals gather to light candles, dance, and offer food and drinks to the spirits in a ritual of remembrance.
9. The Air Guitar World Championships, Finland
The Air Guitar World Championships takes place annually in Finland. Contestants “play” air guitar to their favorite rock songs, showing off their best (and funniest) air guitar performances.
10. Diablada, Bolivia
Every year, Bolivia hosts the Diablada festival, a massive parade of people dressed as demons and other mythical creatures. It’s part of the Oruro Carnival and honors the Virgin of Candelaria with elaborate dances and costumes.
11. The Pushkar Camel Fair, India
The Pushkar Camel Fair is a colorful event in Rajasthan, India, where camels are bought, sold, and raced. Beyond the livestock trade, the fair also includes music, dancing, and a variety of quirky contests, like camel beauty pageants.
12. The Great San Francisco Pillow Fight, USA
A flash mob phenomenon, the Great San Francisco Pillow Fight sees hundreds of people gather in San Francisco’s Justin Herman Plaza on Valentine’s Day to engage in a massive pillow fight.
13. The Running of the Bulls, Spain
In Pamplona, Spain, participants take part in the famous Running of the Bulls, where they race alongside bulls through narrow streets. You’d have to be another level of crazy to agree to get chased down by a bull.
14. Burning Man, USA
In Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, Burning Man is a weeklong celebration where thousands of people come together to create art, music, and performances. The festival culminates in the burning of a massive wooden effigy. That isn’t creepy at all.
15. The Tunarama Festival, Australia
In Port Lincoln, Australia, the Tunarama Festival is a quirky event where participants engage in a “tuna toss.” Competitors throw a giant tuna as far as they can, competing for glory and a hefty prize.
16. The Day of the Dead, Mexico
The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a vibrant Mexican celebration honoring deceased loved ones. People decorate graves, create altars, and enjoy parades, often with elaborate skeleton costumes and face paint.
17. Las Fallas, Spain
Las Fallas is an annual festival held in Valencia Spain. The citizens of the city build large handcrafted sculptures often depicting satirical characters and burn them down at the end of the festival.
