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La Tomatina – The World’s Biggest Food Fight
In the last edition, on August 28, 2024, more than 23,000 people from 51 countries participated in what might be the messiest party on Earth. Picture this: more than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets during this Spanish festival held in the small town of Buñol, near Valencia. The event was so popular that prior to 2013 anywhere from 40,000 to 50,000 people crammed into this huge tomato fight, but since 2013 official ticketing has been in place limiting the number of participants to just 20,000 lucky people.
What makes this festival truly spectacular is its sheer chaos. After an one hour the fighting ends, but during that time, participants engage in an all-out tomato war that turns the entire town red. The festival has quite a history too – La Tomatina Festival started the last Wednesday of August in 1945 when some young people spent time in the town square to attend the Giants and Big-Heads figures parade, and there was a market stall of vegetables that fell victim to the fury of the crowd, as people started to pelt each other with tomatoes.
Boryeong Mud Festival – Korea’s Messy Summer Celebration
With now up to two million visitors annually, the festival is one of the largest events in the country. This South Korean festival transforms Daecheon Beach into a massive mud playground where thousands of people cover themselves in mineral-rich mud for skincare and fun. The first Mud Festival was staged in 1998 and, by 2007, the festival attracted 2.2 million visitors to Boryeong. The festival runs for about two weeks, typically from late July to early August.
The mud isn’t just any ordinary dirt – the mud from Boryeong mud flats was particularly rich in bentonite and germanium, both beneficial for the skin. Activities include mud wrestling, mud slides, and massive mud pools where participants can swim around in the gooey substance. The festival started as a way to promote the region’s mud-based cosmetic products, but it’s grown into something much bigger. Boryeong Mud Festival is extremely popular, not only with foreigners but also Koreans. This mud event in South Korea attracts locals from all over the country and of all ages.
Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling – England’s Most Dangerous Race
This is where things get seriously dangerous. Among the 25 injured, 12 were bystanders, including one struck by the hefty 4kg cheese. Only two required hospitalization for further checks during a recent event. The concept is absurdly simple: competitors chase a wheel of cheese down a ridiculously steep hill in Gloucestershire, England. From the top of the hill, a 7–9-pound (3–4-kilogram) round of Double Gloucester cheese is sent rolling down the hill, which is 200 yards (180 m) long, and with a slope of around 50 percent (26.6 degrees).
The statistics are sobering – the event sees a high number of injuries, with an average of 33 per 100 participants, highlighting the competition’s risky nature, with 1997 marking a record 33 injuries ranging from minor to severe. Due to the steepness and uneven surface of Cooper’s Hill, there are usually several injuries each year. Despite the danger, people from around the world flock to participate in this centuries-old tradition that some sources believe it to be at least 600 years old.
Baby Jumping Festival – Spain’s Most Controversial Tradition
El Colacho, held in Castrillo de Murcia, Spain, is perhaps one of the most jaw-dropping festivals on this list. Men dressed as devils literally jump over babies born in the previous year, believing this will cleanse the infants of original sin. This Catholic tradition dates back to 1620 and continues today despite raising eyebrows worldwide. The festival takes place during the feast of Corpus Christi, usually in June.
The “devils” wear yellow and red costumes and carry whips as they leap over mattresses where babies lie. Parents willingly place their newborns on the street for this ritual, which is believed to protect the children from evil spirits and ensure them a safe passage through life. The practice has never resulted in serious injury to the babies, though it remains one of the most controversial religious festivals in the world. Local authorities closely monitor the event to ensure safety protocols are followed.
Hemingway Look-Alike Contest – Florida’s Literary Celebration
Every July, Key West transforms into a haven for bearded men hoping to channel their inner Ernest Hemingway. The contest has been running since 1981 and attracts hundreds of participants who compete in various categories including best costume, most original, and of course, best look-alike. The festival coincides with Hemingway’s birthday celebration and takes place at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, one of the author’s favorite hangouts.
Contestants must sport the classic Hemingway beard and often dress in safari attire or fishing gear to complete the look. The competition is fierce, with previous winners including some who bear an uncanny resemblance to the Nobel Prize-winning author. The event has become so popular that it’s spawned similar contests in other locations, but Key West remains the original and most prestigious. Many participants take the competition seriously, growing their beards for months in advance.
Kanamara Matsuri – Japan’s Festival of Fertility
Also known as the “Festival of the Steel Phallus,” this Japanese celebration might be the most internationally famous unusual festival. Today, about 30,000 attend the event with foreigners making up a good portion of this number, though some sources suggest numbers can reach much higher. Previously, the festival has attracted as many as 50,000 visitors, 80% of whom are estimated to be foreigners.
The Shinto Kanamara Matsuri is an annual Japanese festival held each spring at the Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki, Japan. The exact dates vary: the main festivities fall on the first Sunday in April. Plus, it’s all for a good cause — profits raised from the event go to HIV research. The festival features three massive portable shrines shaped like phalluses, including the famous pink “Elizabeth” shrine donated by a drag queen club. What started as a local fertility ritual has become a global phenomenon, drawing visitors from around the world to witness this uniquely Japanese celebration.
Up Helly Aa – Scotland’s Viking Fire Festival
Every last Tuesday in January, the Shetland Islands come alive with Europe’s largest fire festival. Up Helly Aa celebrates the islands’ Viking heritage with a spectacular torch-lit procession culminating in the burning of a full-scale replica Viking longship. The festival involves over 1,000 participants called “guizers” who dress in elaborate costumes and carry flaming torches through the streets of Lerwick.
The preparation for this festival is intense, with participants spending months crafting their costumes and preparing the galley (longship) that will be burned. The main procession features the Guizer Jarl (chief Viking) and his squad, followed by dozens of other squads in various themed costumes. After the burning ceremony, the celebration continues with visits to local halls throughout the night, where the squads perform acts and party until dawn. The festival has been running for over 140 years and represents one of the most authentic Viking celebrations in the world.
Monkey Buffet Festival – Thailand’s Primate Feast
In Lopburi, Thailand, locals prepare an elaborate feast not for themselves, but for the thousands of macaque monkeys that inhabit the ancient city. The festival, held annually in November, sees residents laying out tons of fruits, vegetables, and other treats for their simian neighbors. The tradition stems from the belief that feeding the monkeys brings good fortune and attracts tourists to the area.
The monkeys of Lopburi are considered sacred, descendants of the monkey army that helped the Hindu god Rama in the epic Ramayana. The festival can involve over 4,000 kilograms of food, including everything from tropical fruits to ice cream. The event has become a major tourist attraction, with visitors coming from around the world to witness the spectacle of hundreds of monkeys enjoying their annual banquet. However, the festival also highlights the complex relationship between humans and wildlife in urban areas.
Night of the Radishes – Mexico’s Vegetable Art Competition
Every December 23rd in Oaxaca, Mexico, artists transform ordinary radishes into extraordinary sculptures during the “Noche de Rábanos.” This unique competition began in 1897 and has evolved into one of Mexico’s most unusual Christmas traditions. Participants carve intricate nativity scenes, historical figures, and fantastical creatures from oversized radishes that can weigh up to three pounds.
The radishes used are specially grown for the festival, allowed to reach enormous sizes that would normally be considered inedible. Artists have just a few hours to complete their creations before the radishes begin to wilt and lose their structural integrity. The competition draws thousands of spectators who come to admire the incredible artistry and vote for their favorite pieces. Winners receive cash prizes and prestigious recognition in the art community. The event has become so popular that it’s now an official part of Oaxaca’s Christmas celebrations.
Frozen Dead Guy Days – Colorado’s Cryogenic Celebration
Nederland, Colorado, hosts one of America’s strangest festivals every March, celebrating a cryogenically frozen Norwegian man named Bredo Morstoel. The festival began in 2002 after the town discovered that a local resident had been storing his grandfather’s frozen body in a shed, hoping future technology would allow for resurrection. Rather than dispose of the body, the quirky town decided to turn it into a celebration.
The festival features coffin races, polar plunges, live music, and plenty of ice-themed activities. Participants compete in events like “Frozen T-shirt Contest” and “Frozen Salmon Toss.” The festival has become a major economic driver for the small mountain town, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Bredo’s body remains frozen in liquid nitrogen, maintained by monthly deliveries of dry ice. The festival represents the ultimate example of how Americans can turn even the most macabre situations into a party.
Goat Tossing Festival – Spain’s Controversial Tradition
The Manganeses de la Polvorosa festival in Spain was once famous for its shocking practice of throwing a live goat from a church bell tower. This centuries-old tradition was believed to honor St. Vincent and bring good luck to the community. However, animal rights activists successfully campaigned to end the practice, and the festival now uses a stuffed goat instead.
The original festival involved villagers catching the falling goat, which was then paraded around the town before being released. The practice was defended by locals as an ancient tradition dating back to the 17th century. The European Union eventually intervened, and Spanish authorities banned the use of live animals in 2002. Today, the festival continues with a toy goat, though it has lost much of its notoriety. The controversy highlighted the ongoing tension between traditional customs and modern animal welfare concerns.
Holi – India’s Festival of Colors
Known as the “Festival of Colors,” Holi has spread far beyond its Indian origins to become a global celebration. This Hindu festival marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Participants throw colored powder and water at each other, creating a spectacular rainbow of humanity. The festival typically falls in March and lasts for two days.
The tradition has deep religious significance, commemorating various Hindu legends, particularly the story of Prahlad and Holika. In recent years, Holi celebrations have popped up in cities worldwide, from London to New York, adapted for international audiences. The festival promotes unity and equality, as social barriers dissolve when everyone is covered in the same bright colors. Modern Holi celebrations often include music, dancing, and special foods, making it one of the most joyful festivals on the planet.
Air Guitar World Championships – Finland’s Musical Mime
Since 1996, Oulu, Finland, has hosted the most prestigious air guitar competition in the world. Competitors from dozens of countries gather to “play” imaginary guitars with extreme passion and technical skill. The championship has spawned national competitions worldwide, with winners advancing to the world finals in Finland.
Contestants are judged on technical merit, stage presence, and “airness” – the ability to make the audience believe they’re actually playing a guitar. The competition includes multiple rounds, with participants performing to songs of their choice before facing off in a final round with a mystery song. The event promotes world peace through the universal language of rock and roll, with the motto “Make Air, Not War.” Winners receive actual guitars and international recognition in the surprisingly competitive world of air guitar performance.
Burning Man – Nevada’s Temporary City
Perhaps the most famous alternative festival in the world, Burning Man transforms Nevada’s Black Rock Desert into a temporary city of over 70,000 people each August. The festival is built around principles of radical self-reliance, self-expression, and community cooperation. Participants, known as “Burners,” create elaborate art installations, themed camps, and mutant vehicles in the harsh desert environment.
The festival culminates with the burning of a massive wooden effigy, the “Man,” followed by the burning of the Temple, a space for reflection and remembrance. No money changes hands within the festival – everything operates on a gift economy. The event has influenced art, music, and social movements worldwide, though it has also faced criticism for becoming increasingly commercialized and exclusive. The festival requires extensive preparation, as participants must bring everything they need to survive in the desert for a week.
Underwater Music Festival – Florida’s Aquatic Concert
The Florida Keys host the world’s only underwater music festival each July at Looe Key Reef. Musicians play specially designed instruments while scuba diving, creating an otherworldly concert experience beneath the waves. The festival was created to promote coral reef awareness and ocean conservation.
Participants include both professional musicians and amateur divers who have learned to play underwater instruments. The music is transmitted through underwater speakers, creating an ethereal soundscape that attracts both human audiences and marine life. The festival features various genres, from classical to rock, all adapted for underwater performance. Spectators can watch from boats above or join the musicians underwater if they’re certified divers. The event has become a unique way to combine environmental awareness with artistic expression.
World Toe Wrestling Championship – England’s Bizarre Sport
The World Toe Wrestling Championship, held annually in Derbyshire, England, is exactly what it sounds like – competitors lock toes and try to pin each other’s foot down. The sport was invented in 1976 by four friends in a pub who wanted to create a sport that England could dominate. The championship has grown to include international competitors and follows strict rules and regulations.
Matches are held on a specially constructed ring called a “toedium,” and competitors must have their feet inspected by a nurse before competing. The sport requires both strength and strategy, as participants must use their toes to force their opponent’s foot to touch the side of the ring. The championship includes separate categories for men and women, with winners receiving trophies and the prestigious title of World Toe Wrestling Champion. The event has gained media attention worldwide and even inspired attempts to include it in the Olympics.
Testicle Festival – America’s Most Ballsy Celebration
Various locations across America host Testicle Festivals, with Montana and Oklahoma being among the most famous. These festivals celebrate the consumption of bull testicles, commonly known as “Rocky Mountain oysters.” The events typically feature eating contests, live music, and various competitions centered around these unusual delicacies.
The festivals often include testicle-eating contests where participants compete to consume the most in a set time period. The organs are typically deep-fried and served with various sauces and sides. These events celebrate American agricultural heritage and the nose-to-tail eating philosophy. The festivals have become popular tourist attractions, drawing visitors curious about this unusual cuisine. Similar festivals exist in other countries, including Serbia, where they’re considered a traditional delicacy.
Silent Disco Festival – The World’s Quietest Party
Silent disco festivals have exploded in popularity worldwide, creating the surreal sight of hundreds of people dancing wildly while wearing wireless headphones. To outside observers, the scene looks like a group of people having individual dance parties, but participants are actually listening to live DJs broadcasting directly to their headphones.
The concept allows multiple DJs to perform simultaneously, with dancers switching between different channels on their headphones. The technology has revolutionized outdoor events, allowing parties to continue late into the night without noise complaints. Silent discos have become popular at music festivals, corporate events, and even in unusual locations like museums and libraries. The format creates a unique social dynamic where participants can instantly switch between different musical experiences or remove their headphones to have conversations in the sudden silence.
Conclusion
These nineteen festivals represent humanity’s incredible creativity and diversity in celebration. From throwing tomatoes in Spain to worshipping phalluses in Japan, from jumping over babies to wrestling with toes, these events show that there’s no limit to human imagination when it comes to having a good time. While some may seem bizarre or even dangerous to outsiders, each festival serves important cultural, social, or economic functions for their communities.
What makes these festivals truly special isn’t just their unusual nature, but their ability to bring people together in shared experiences that transcend normal social boundaries. Whether it’s the muddy chaos of Boryeong or the fiery spectacle of Up Helly Aa, these celebrations remind us that joy can be found in the most unexpected places. Did you expect that festivals could be this wonderfully weird?
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
