The world's most bizarre festivals

The world's one-of-a-kind festivals

There are many different types of festivals around the world, from religious rituals to traditional customs, which we may not be familiar with but highly appreciate. Then there are those that are slightly more baffling, whether they've been adapted over the years or created out of... well, we're not sure what.

Click through the gallery to discover some of the most unique festivals around the world, from the World Toe Wrestling Championships to Spain's baby-jumping festival...

Air Guitar World Championships, Oulu, Finland

Since 1996, contestants from around the world have competed in the Air Guitar World Championships, held in Oulu, Finland every August. Rockstar wannabes take to the stage and give their best performance without a guitar in sight; just expect loud music and dramatic performances.

Finland's Aapo Rautio claimed victory in 2025, the first Finnish winner in 25 years. Other regular entrants hail from the USA and Australia.

La Tomatina Festival, Buñol, Spain

Dubbed "the world’s biggest food fight," La Tomatina takes place on the last Wednesday of August. The small village of Bunol, near Valencia, hosts the chaotic event where over 120 tons of overripe, low-quality tomatoes are pelted against each other by up to 20,000 participants (more than double the village’s population).

The juicy bonanza only lasts an hour but it’s still up there as one of the wackiest and funniest festivals in the world.

Rouketopolemos Rocket War, Chios, Greece

An unusual Easter tradition takes place on the Greek island of Chios. Dating back to the Ottoman era, two rival churches on opposite hillsides launch up to 80,000 homemade bottle rockets against each other, much to the delight of tourists and dismay of locals.

The "winner" is decided by who receives the most direct hits, but as there's no referee, both sides usually claim victory.

El Colacho, Castrillo de Murcia, Spain

Dating back to the 1620s, El Colacho is a mix of Catholic and pagan beliefs and possibly started as a fertility ritual – but that doesn’t make it any less weird.

Babies born the previous year are laid out on mattresses before costumed men take "the flight of the devil" over them to absorb their sins. Afterwards they’re sprinkled with rose petals and, thankfully, returned to their parents.

Vegetarian Festival, Phuket, Thailand

This isn't one for the squeamish. At Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival, held for nine days in October, cheek-piercing is one of the standout spectacles. Participants – as well as abstaining from the consumption of all animal products – have been known to parade around with skewers, swords, even lampshades, and umbrellas protruding from their faces.

These displays, while alarming to the unknowing eye, are acts of religious devotion; the event is also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.

Burning Man, Nevada, USA

The radical Burning Man is held in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert every August, with each year focusing on a different theme. This iconic festival pretty much guarantees a life-changing experience with a focus on free expression and spiritual journeys.

What also makes it so unique is that it's basically money-free; participants exchange goods based on a system of gift-giving, rather than paying with conventional currency. 

Boryeong Mud Festival, Boryeong, South Korea

Millions of people around the world flock to South Korea's west coast for Boryeong every summer. This week-long mud festival is not only a whole lot of messy fun, but also promotes the alleged healing properties of the region's natural sea mud. 

Everything – from bouncy castles to soccer fields – is filled with the stuff. There are also mud slides, pools, and a "prison" where you simply fling mud at one another.

Kukeri Festival, Bulgaria

Otherwise known as the festival of monsters, Bulgaria’s Kukeri Festival is fun but a little frightening. It's mainly men who dress up in scary masks and tie bells around their waists in a bid to frighten away any real monsters.

In some parts of the country they also stage comical plays about weddings, harvests, and nature rituals.

Kaljakellunta, Uusimaa province, Finland

Beer festivals as a whole aren’t strange but Kaljakellunta, which involves floating down the Kerava or Vantaa rivers in an inflatable boat, is a little more unique. Held at the end of July, the floating route sees thousands bring their own boats and beers to make the most of the sunshine.

It’s not an official festival, but this public gathering just north of Helsinki is well worth going to.

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Historical Carnival of Ivrea, Ivrea, Italy

Another fruit-themed festival is the Historical Carnival of Ivrea, a pre-Lent festival and the oldest of its kind in Italy. It first took place in the Middle Ages to commemorate the rebellion of AD 1200, which saw Ivrea depose the Royal Napoleonic Troops as its rulers.

During the event, participants re-enact this pivotal moment by pelting one another with oranges – a much safer option than the stones that would have been thrown in the real conflict. That's why it's also referred to as the Battle of the Oranges.

Easter pot smashing, Corfu, Greece

On the Saturday before Easter Sunday, thousands of locals and visitors gather in Corfu’s town center to recreate a biblical earthquake, thought to have been triggered by the resurrection of Christ. Windows are decorated with red flowers and flags and, when the clock strikes noon, the annual ritual of pot-throwing begins.

Pots and jars are thrown from windows to create an almighty smash, much to the delight of the crowds on ground level.

Hair Freezing Contest, Yukon, Canada

Feel like taking a colder dip this winter? Head to Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, north of Whitehorse in Yukon, during its annual Hair Freezing Contest. Temperatures drop to below -4°F and after taking a dip, participants wait for the cold air to slowly freeze their hair.

Once it's shaped into position, they ring the bell for the photo to be taken. It’s worth getting creative with this – winners receive a cash prize and free hot springs access.

Monkey Buffet Festival, Lopburi, Thailand

Monkeys have long been thought to bring good luck and prosperity, so as a way of saying thanks, the people of Lopburi hold a feast for the macaques among the ruins of the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple in Thailand.

It's held on the last Sunday of November and starts with an opening ceremony complete with dancers in monkey costumes, before two tons of vibrant fruit and vegetables are unveiled on a banquet table.

Busojaras Festival, Mohacs, Hungary

Held between February and March, Hungary’s Busojaras Festival is a slightly terrifying sight to behold. The essence of the festival is about transformation, chasing away winter and ushering in spring.

While it’s steeped in tradition, it’s become popular for those acting as Buso (the monstrous main character) to dress up as funnily and strikingly as possible.

Cheese Rolling Festival, Gloucester, England, UK

This certainly isn't a festival for the faint-hearted. Gloucester's annual Cheese Rolling Festival sees "athletes" tumble down Cooper's Hill in pursuit of a nine-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese, which can reach crazy speeds of over 70 miles per hour. The rules are simple: the first runner to reach the bottom of the hill wins the contest... and cheese.

Bruises, broken bones, and even hospitalization are commonplace, so it's probably best to watch the bizarre tradition as a spectator.

Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival, Taiwan

Fireworks-related festivals aren't anything unusual, but Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival is slightly different. After a warning siren, fireworks are released directly into the crowds. At least they're prepared, with many donning helmets, as pictured here.

It gets its "beehive" name from the giant cylinders which are stuffed with bottle rockets. After a couple of minutes, the unusual custom ends and finally there's a (safer) fireworks display against the night sky.

Kanamara Matsuri, Kawasaki, Japan

The one-of-a-kind Kanamara Matsuri is held in Kawasaki on the first Sunday of April. Three portable phallic shrines are carried along the packed streets to Kanayama Shrine, and while the festival is part of a long-standing tradition, its aims and values have changed over time.

What started as a ritual to protect courtesans from venereal diseases has now evolved into a more general fertility and wellbeing rite. Along the route you'll find themed food and merchandise stalls to commemorate the event.

Bolas de Fuego Festival, Nejapa, El Salvador

The Bolas de Fuego, or Fireball Festival, has taken place every August for over a century The town of Nejapa sees residents don skull masks or face paint, separate into two groups and lob fireballs at each other.

There aren't any rules so this spectacle is pretty full on, but the event commemorates a volcanic eruption in 1658 and patron saint San Jeronimo, who saved the town from disappearing.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong

The Cheung Chau Bun Festival makes total sense once you're there, but at first sight, seeing people scramble up a 60-foot-tall tower of steamed buns can look a little disorienting. The traditional event, usually held every May, sees competitors try to collect as many buns as they can.

The higher they reach, the more points the buns are worth, and more luck their families receive. The festival has a deeper meaning too; it honors Pak Tai, the Taoist god of the sea, who drove out plague from the village long ago.

La Noche de Rabanos, Oaxaca, Mexico

Dating back to 1897, the oddly cute La Noche de Rabanos ("the night of the radishes") takes place on December 23 in Oaxaca. The pink-and-white veg is grown especially for the occasion and sees hundreds of artistic contestants carve intricate designs, usually depicting everyday scenes.

Visitors can walk around the stalls to take in the artworks before awards are given across a range of categories.

Guisachan Gathering, Scottish Highlands, Scotland, UK

Four-legged friends can join the fun at the Guisachan Gathering, which celebrates the establishment of the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland. The mass canine gathering takes place at Guisachan Estate, where the founder of the breed lived in the 19th century.

During the event there are dog shows, activities, and the chance for dogs to mingle.

Wife-carrying championships, worldwide

Wife-carrying (or Eukonkanto in Finnish) championships are held annually in Finland (a recurring contender on this list) and the concept is pretty self-explanatory: male competitors must carry a female teammate through a set course in the fastest time to win.

This bizarre event has grown in popularity in other countries like Australia, the US, and Belarus too. 

The Festival of Exploding Hammers, San Juan de la Vega, Mexico

The appropriately named Festival of Exploding Hammers takes place in the town of San Juan de la Vega every February and pays homage to "Mexico's Robin Hood," dating back to the 17th century.

Supposedly re-enacting what went down, participants throw firecracker-style explosive hammers at each other. But it's also one of the world's most dangerous festivals, with spectators often leaving with minor injuries, so take part at your own risk.

World Toe Wrestling Championships, Derbyshire, England, UK

Yes, you read that right. The World Toe Wrestling Championships take place in the Derbyshire town of Ashbourne every year, although the event briefly paused between 2003-2009 after controversy over the winner. Usually held in May, June or August, competitors must be seated with bare feet before linking toes and "wrestling."

It's tough stuff with previous entrants having broken toes and ankles in a bid to secure vic-toe-ry (sorry). It's a growing sport, with men's, women's, and junior categories all up for grabs.

World Nomad Games, Central Asia

The World Nomad Games honors the traditional sports and nomadic cultures of Central Asia. Between 3,000 and 4,000 athletes from more than 100 countries take part in various horse riding, wrestling, and archery competitions while dressed in traditional attire.

One of the main events is the nail-biting, 5,000-year-old kokboru sport, requiring horse riders to swoop down to collect a goat's hide before galloping to the goal to attempt to score with it. The event is generally bi-annual and in 2026 will be held at Issyk-Kul, a northeastern resort area near the border with Kazakhstan.

Tazaungdaing Festival, Myanmar

There are hot air balloon festivals all over the world: Albuquerque in New Mexico; Cappadocia in Turkey; and the English city of Bristol, to name a few. But at most hot air balloon festivals, the balloons don't explode.

The annual Tazaungdaing Festival in Myanmar does things a little differently, as locals gather in the country's central hills to release hot air balloons loaded with fireworks into the night before watching them explode spectacularly, sending stunning streams of light scattering across the sky. The five-day festival takes place in early November to mark the end of the rainy season, and rival teams spend months perfecting their designs.

Flaming Tar Barrels, Devon, England, UK

Each year, on or around November 5, the usually quaint East Devon town of Ottery St Mary whips into a fiery frenzy. Wooden barrels coated with tar are set alight and carried through the streets on the backs of brave locals in a centuries-old ritual.

Men, women, and even children have their own flaming barrels to carry; often, the tradition passes down through several generations of the same family, creating an enormous sense of pride. It might be chaotic and potentially incredibly dangerous, but at its core this event is a celebration of community and cultural heritage.

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