20 Most Unusual Festivals Around the World

1. La Tomatina:

   

La Tomatina is a food fight festival held annually on the last Wednesday in August in the town of Buñol, Spain. It is believed to have originated in the mid-1940s, although the exact origins are not clear. The festival attracts thousands of participants and has become a popular tourist attraction. On the day of the event, participants gather in the town square and wait for the signal to begin throwing tomatoes at each other. The tomatoes used in the festival are grown specifically for the event and are overripe to make them easier to throw. The festival lasts for about an hour, after which the streets are hosed down to clean up the mess.

2. Day of the Dead:

   

Day of the Dead, also known as Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican festival held on November 1st and 2nd to honor the lives of loved ones who have passed away. It is a colorful and festive celebration that involves the creation of altars and the offering of food, drink, and other gifts to the deceased. There are also parades and other performances, and many people wear costumes or paint their faces in the traditional Dia de los Muertos style. The festival has a strong cultural significance in Mexico and is also celebrated by many people of Mexican heritage.

3. Mardi Gras:

   

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is an annual festival held in New Orleans, United States, on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of the Christian season of Lent, which is a time of fasting and repentance. Mardi Gras is known for its colorful parades, music, and costumes, attracting millions of visitors each year. The festival has a long history in New Orleans and is an important cultural and economic event for the city. It is also celebrated in other cities around the world, although the celebration in New Orleans is the largest and most well-known.

4. Burning Man:

   

Burning Man is an annual festival held in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, United States. It is a celebration of self-expression and community and attracts tens of thousands of participants from around the world. The festival is known for its art installations, music, and other performances, as well as its emphasis on radical self-reliance and self-expression. Participants are expected to bring all of their own food, water, and other necessities for the duration of the festival, and there is a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and leaving no trace. At the end of the festival, a large wooden effigy known as the “Man” is burned as a symbolic gesture.

5. Oktoberfest:

   

Oktoberfest is an annual festival that is held in Munich, Germany. It is known for its beer, music, and traditional Bavarian food, and is typically held in September and October. The festival attracts millions of visitors from around the world and is one of the largest and most well-known festivals in Germany. Oktoberfest originated in the early 19th century as a celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. It has since grown into a major event that includes parades, music and dance performances, food stalls, and of course, plenty of beer. Oktoberfest is also known for its traditional Bavarian clothing, such as lederhosen for men and dirndls for women, which are often worn by festival attendees. The festival is an important cultural and economic event for Munich and is an integral part of the city’s identity.

6. Holi:

   

Holi is a Hindu festival that is also known as the Festival of Colors. It is celebrated in India and Nepal, usually in March, and marks the arrival of spring. During the festival, people throw colored powder at each other and have water fights as a way of celebrating the end of winter and the arrival of spring. There are also music and dance performances, and people often wear white clothing to better show off the colors. The festival has a strong cultural significance in Hindu communities and is also celebrated by people of other faiths.

7. Boryeong Mud Festival:

   

The Boryeong Mud Festival is an annual event held in Boryeong, South Korea, to celebrate the therapeutic and cosmetic properties of mud. The festival takes place in July and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. During the festival, visitors can participate in a variety of mud-themed activities such as mud wrestling, mud sliding, and mud massages. There are also music and dance performances, food stalls, and other attractions. The mud used in the festival is sourced from the Boryeong mud flats and is believed to have medicinal properties.

8. La Mercè:

   

La Mercè is an annual festival that is held in Barcelona, Spain. It is a celebration of the city’s patron saint, Our Lady of Mercy, and is one of the largest and most important cultural events in Barcelona. The festival is held in September and includes a variety of activities such as music and dance performances, parades, and fireworks. It is a popular tourist attraction and attracts visitors from around the world who are interested in Catalan culture. The festival is also known for its artistic and cultural events, such as the Mercè Arts de Foc, which is a series of fire-based performances, and the Mercè Músiques, which is a series of music performances. In addition to these events, the festival also includes traditional Catalan games and activities, such as the human towers competition known as the Castells.

9. Day of the Geese:

   

The Day of the Geese is an annual festival held in the village of Haux, France. It involves a procession of people dressed as geese, as well as a mock battle between the geese and the villagers. The festival is held in November and is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages as a way of celebrating the end of the harvest season. It is not a widely known or well-attended festival, but it has a small following among locals and tourists interested in traditional French culture.

10. Night of the Radishes –

    

The Night of the Radishes is an annual festival in Oaxaca, Mexico, and involves the carving of elaborate sculptures out of radishes. The sculptures are then displayed in a competition, and the winners are awarded prizes. The festival is held in December and is believed to have originated in the 16th century as a way of promoting the sale of radishes at the Christmas market. It has since grown into a popular tourist attraction and attracts visitors from around the world interested in traditional Mexican culture and art.

11. La Festa dels Traginers –

    

La Festa dels Traginers is an annual Catalan festival that is held in the town of Vic, Spain. It involves a parade of people dressed as mules and donkey drivers and is a celebration of the role that these animals played in the region’s history. The festival is held in August and includes music and dance performances, as well as traditional food and drink. It is a relatively small and local festival. Still, it is an important cultural event for the people of Vic and attracts some tourists interested in traditional Catalan culture. La Festa dels Traginers is also known for its traditional Catalan games and activities, such as the sardana, which is a circle dance, and the cobla, which is a type of brass band. The festival is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Catalonia and is an important part of the region’s identity.

12. World Bog Snorkelling Championship –

    

The World Bog Snorkelling Championship is an annual event held in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales. It involves competitors snorkeling through a muddy bog in a timed race. The event is held in August and attracts a small but dedicated group of competitors and spectators. It is not a widely known or well-attended event, but it has a dedicated following among those interested in unusual sporting events. The World Bog Snorkelling Championship is held in the Waen Rhydd peat bog, located near Llanwrtyd Wells. The competition involves two races, one for men and one for women, and the winners are awarded prizes. The event is organized by the Llanwrtyd Wells Town Council and is an important cultural and economic event for the town.

13. Kanamara Matsuri –

    

The Japanese festival that is also known as the “Festival of the Steel Phallus” is Kanamara Matsuri. It is an annual festival held in Kawasaki, Japan, and involves a procession of a large wooden phallus through the streets, as well as other performances and stalls. The festival is held in April and is believed to have originated as a way of promoting fertility and good luck. It has become a popular tourist attraction, although it is not widely known or well-attended outside Japan. The festival is also known for its charitable aspect, as proceeds from the event are donated to HIV research and prevention.

14. Monkey Buffet Festival –

    

The Monkey Buffet Festival, held annually in Thailand, is an incredible event that celebrates the important relationship between humans and macaques. It involves a huge feast, with thousands of pounds of fruits, vegetables, noodles, and other treats, being spread out over a long table in front of a temple. The macaques are invited to come and enjoy the feast, and they are even given offerings of jewelry and coins. It’s an incredible sight to witness the macaques enjoying their feast while the people gather around to watch. The festival is a unique way to recognize and celebrate the connection between humans and macaques while also providing a fun and entertaining experience for everyone involved!

15. Battle of the Oranges –

    

The Battle of the Oranges is an annual festival in Ivrea, Italy. It commemorates a battle that took place in the town in the 12th century. During the festival, participants and spectators gather in the town’s main square to watch the reenactment of the battle. The participants, divided into nine teams, dress in medieval attire and engage in a mock battle. The battle is fought by throwing oranges at one another. The oranges, donated by local farmers, are said to represent the stones thrown by the Ivrea citizens against the tyrannical ruler during the 12^th-century battle. In addition to the orange-throwing battle, the festival includes numerous traditional activities, such as a parade and a costume contest. The Battle of the Oranges is truly an unforgettable spectacle, and it is a great opportunity to experience Italian culture and heritage

16. Up Helly Aa –

    

Up Helly Aa is an annual fire festival celebrated in Shetland, Scotland. It is a tradition that has been celebrated since the late 19th century and involves several thousand people. The festival is held on the last Tuesday of January or the first Tuesday of February, depending on the year, and involves the procession of up to 1000 torch-bearing ‘guizers’ (or participants) led by a group of ‘Jarls’ (or leaders). The procession is followed by a performance of Viking-style ‘fireballs’ and culminates in the burning of a replica Viking longship. Up Helly Aa is a joyous celebration of Shetland’s unique Viking heritage and history and is enjoyed by locals, visitors and tourists alike.

17. Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ortigueira –

    

Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ortigueira is an annual celebration that takes place in the town of Ortigueira, in Galicia, Spain. It is held in honor of the patron saint of the town and is celebrated from the 28th of July until the 4th of August. During this week, people from all around the world come to Ortigueira to take part in the festivities. During the week, traditional music and dances, such as the famous “palo de mayo”, are performed throughout the town. There are also many stalls selling local products, such as food and crafts, and the town is decorated with balloons and flags. On the 4th of August, a parade is held, during which a large statue of Santa Marta is carried through the streets of Ortigueira. This is followed by a firework display and a large feast in the town square. The Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ortigueira is an important cultural event in Galicia and is an unforgettable experience for all those who attend.

18. Tunarama Festival –

    

The Tunarama Festival is an annual event held in the city of Port Lincoln, South Australia. It is a celebration of all things seafood, with its main attraction being the Tunarama Fishing Competition. Other activities include the Tunarama Street Parade, the Tunarama Beach Volleyball Competition, a seafood market, and a fireworks display. The event also includes live music, art and craft stalls, and plenty of local seafood delicacies. It is a great way to experience the vibrant culture of the region and to celebrate the local seafood industry. The Tunarama Festival is a fun-filled event for all ages and a great way to explore the stunning Port Lincoln coastline.

19. Cooper’s Hill Pumpkin Roll –

    

The Cooper’s Hill Pumpkin Roll is an annual event in Brockworth, England. It involves a group of people rolling pumpkins down a steep hill. The event is held in November and is not a widely known or well-attended event. Still, it has a small and dedicated following among those who are interested in unusual sporting events. The Cooper’s Hill Pumpkin Roll is held on the same day as the Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake, which is an annual event that involves a group of people chasing a wheel of cheese down the same hill. Both events are believed to have originated as a way of celebrating the end of the harvest season and are now held as a way of attracting tourists to the area.

20. Thaipusam –

    

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated by Tamil communities worldwide and held annually in Malaysia.. The festival honors the deity Murugan and commemorates the story of his victory over the demon Soorapadman. During the festival, devotees often perform various rituals such as carrying kavadis, piercings, and other body modifications and taking a procession to a local temple. The festival is usually celebrated in January or February and lasts several days. Thaipusam is an important celebration for Tamil communities and is a great opportunity to learn more about the Hindu faith.

Tags – Unusual Festivals Around the World, Famous Festival Around the World, Famous Festival, Festivals Arround The World