If you’re a traveler looking for a truly unique and unforgettable experience, attending a festival in a foreign country is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and customs. But if you’re looking for something truly bizarre and out-of-the-box, you’ll need to go beyond the typical festivals like Mardi Gras and Oktoberfest. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most unique and bizarre festivals from around the world that you’ve probably never heard of.
- La Tomatina, Spain
Every year on the last Wednesday of August, the small town of Bunol in Spain hosts the world’s largest food fight: La Tomatina. Thousands of people from all over the world come together to throw overripe tomatoes at each other for an hour. The festival began in 1945 when a group of young men started a food fight during a parade, and it has since become a popular and unique event that draws in tourists from all over the world.
- Kanamara Matsuri, Japan
Kanamara Matsuri, also known as the “Festival of the Steel Phallus,” is a Shinto fertility festival that takes place on the first Sunday of April in Kawasaki, Japan. The festival centers around a large pink phallus that is carried through the streets in a procession, and participants can purchase phallic-shaped sweets and souvenirs. The festival has become a popular destination for tourists and has even been used as a way to promote safe sex and raise awareness for HIV.
- Up Helly Aa, Scotland
Up Helly Aa is a fire festival that takes place on the last Tuesday of January in Lerwick, Scotland. The festival celebrates the end of the Yule season and involves a procession of up to 1,000 men dressed in Viking costumes. The procession ends with the burning of a replica Viking longship, which is lit using torches carried by the participants.
- Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand
The Monkey Buffet Festival is an annual event that takes place in Lopburi, Thailand, and is dedicated to the town’s resident macaque monkeys. The festival involves a buffet of fruits and vegetables that are laid out on tables for the monkeys to enjoy. The event draws in tourists from all over the world who want to witness the spectacle of thousands of monkeys feasting on a buffet.
- Boryeong Mud Festival, South Korea
The Boryeong Mud Festival is an annual event that takes place in Boryeong, South Korea, and is dedicated to the health benefits of mud. The festival involves a variety of activities, including mud wrestling, mud sliding, and mud painting. The festival draws in over two million visitors each year and has even been credited with boosting the local economy.
- Dia de los Muertos, Mexico
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that takes place on November 1st and 2nd. The holiday is a time to honor and remember deceased loved ones, and it involves building altars and offering food, flowers, and other gifts to the dead. The holiday has become increasingly popular in the United States and has even been featured in popular movies like Coco.
- Holi, India
Holi is a Hindu festival that takes place in India and Nepal and is also known as the “Festival of Colors.” The festival involves throwing colored powder and water at each other, and it is a time to celebrate the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. The festival has become increasingly popular around the world and is a unique and colorful experience that should not be missed.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many unique and bizarre festivals that can be found around the world. Attending one of these festivals is a great way to experience a new culture and create unforgettable memories. Whether you’re getting pelted with tomatoes in Spain or throwing colored powder in India, these festivals are sure to provide a truly unique and unforgettable experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
