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If you’ve ever thought the world needed more fun and strange celebrations, you’re absolutely right.
Festivals are the perfect excuse to let loose, embrace the bizarre, and maybe even make a few questionable decisions (but hey, it’s all part of the fun).
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From tomato fights to color explosions, some of the quirkiest festivals are waiting for you to join in on the madness.
Here’s a roundup of the top 8 odd and unforgettable festivals you have to experience at least once in your life.
1. La Tomatina – Buñol, Spain
Ever thought about throwing a tomato at someone’s face? Well, at La Tomatina, it’s not only encouraged—it’s expected. This annual festival, held in the small town of Buñol, is essentially the world’s largest food fight. Thousands of people gather in the streets, armed with ripe tomatoes, and then let loose.
The goal? Smash as many tomatoes as you can while avoiding becoming the next victim of a squishy projectile. It’s messy, hilarious, and guaranteed to leave you covered in red goo, but you’ll be laughing the entire time. Just be warned: your clothes will never recover.
2. Holi – Mathura, India
There’s something about being pelted with colored powder that makes you feel strangely alive, and that’s what Holi, the Festival of Colors, is all about. Celebrated across India, the best place to witness the full chaos is in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
Picture it: streets are filled with joyous crowds dancing, singing, and throwing vibrant colors at each other. It’s a celebration of the arrival of spring and good vibes, but there’s an underlying sense of pure mischief in the air. If you’ve ever dreamed of looking like a human rainbow, this is your moment. Be sure to pack old clothes (unless you’re into stained fashion, of course).
3. Up Helly Aa – Lerwick, Scotland
Up Helly Aa is not your typical festival. In fact, it’s a Viking invasion of the highest order. Every year, on the last Tuesday of January, the streets of Lerwick in the Shetland Islands come alive with fiery torches, battle cries, and men dressed as Vikings.
The highlight? A torch-lit procession that ends with the ceremonial burning of a Viking longship. If you’re a fan of fire, history, or just enjoy a good excuse to dress like a Norse warrior, this is a must-see festival. It’s a wild, slightly surreal way to dive into Scottish culture, and it’s guaranteed to make you feel like you’re on the set of a history channel documentary.
4. Monkey Buffet Festival – Lopburi, Thailand
No, this isn’t an all-you-can-eat buffet for people. It’s for the monkeys. The Monkey Buffet Festival in Lopburi is a day dedicated to feeding and celebrating the cheeky monkeys that roam the area. Locals lay out a massive spread of fruits, veggies, and snacks for the monkeys, and then they sit back and watch as the little creatures go wild.
It’s like a buffet with a side of chaos—because monkeys are, well, monkeys. Some guests may even try to sneak a snack from your plate, so be prepared for a close encounter with some furry friends. If you’re into animal antics and a bit of unexpected hilarity, this one’s for you.
5. El Colacho – Castrillo de Murcia, Spain
If you’ve ever wanted to see babies being jumped over, you’re in luck. El Colacho is a rather unusual Spanish festival where men dressed as devils leap over babies lying on mattresses in the street. It sounds bizarre (because it is), but it’s all part of an ancient ritual meant to cleanse the babies of evil spirits and ensure good health.
The sight of grown men dressed in bright yellow costumes performing acrobatic jumps over innocent infants may make you pause for a second, but it’s actually a deeply-rooted tradition that’s been celebrated for centuries. In the land of peculiar festivals, El Colacho ranks near the top.
6. The Running of the Bulls – Pamplona, Spain
If you’ve ever dreamed of testing your speed against a 1,500-pound bull, Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls is your chance to live out that reckless fantasy. For nine days every July, brave (or wildly foolish) participants run through the streets ahead of a herd of charging bulls.
While the tradition dates back to the 14th century, today, it’s more of a spectacle—people gather from around the world to watch the chaos unfold. But here’s the catch: it’s not just about outrunning the bulls; it’s about surviving to tell the tale. If you enjoy pushing your limits (or just enjoy watching others do it), this festival is pure adrenaline.
7. The Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling – Gloucestershire, England
You’ve probably never thought, “I want to chase a wheel of cheese down a hill today,” but after witnessing the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling, you might reconsider. Held every May, the event involves participants chasing a giant wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down a steep hill.
The first person to cross the finish line wins the cheese, but it’s not as simple as it sounds—imagine sprinting down a hill at breakneck speed while trying to dodge both the cheese and the other participants. It’s a combination of physics, bravery, and a little bit of madness. The festival is chaotic, hilarious, and, dare we say, a little bit cheesy.
8. The International Pillow Fight Day – Various Locations
If there was ever a festival that combined laughter, fun, and pillow fights, it’s the International Pillow Fight Day. Held in cities worldwide, this event allows people to take their fluffy pillows to the streets and engage in epic, albeit soft, battles.
Think of it like the ultimate stress-relief therapy, but with more feathers flying everywhere. While you might find yourself dodging a few surprise pillow whacks, the whole experience is ridiculously fun, especially when you realize that you’re legally allowed to whack strangers with no consequences. It’s the perfect quirky festival to release your inner child and join the fluffy mayhem.
Final Words
In the grand scheme of things, you can always find a reason to stay in your comfort zone—but where’s the fun in that?
These quirky festivals are the kind of experiences that leave you with a few unforgettable memories and perhaps a questionable Instagram photo or two. Get out there, dive into the madness, and let the world show you that fun doesn’t always have to make sense.