Eight of the Most Weird and Wonderful Festivals Around the World
From throwing tomatoes and carrying wives to jumping over babies, these bizarre international festivals take traditional celebrations to a whole new level.
Does the thought of heading to a crowded music festival fills you with dread, but a trip to the local village fete threatens to send you to sleep? Luckily there’s a whole host of eccentric and downright strange celebrations that happen across the world, from hurling tomatoes to feeding thousands of monkeys. Let's dive into the weird and wonderful world of international festivals that will leave you both amused and amazed.
1La Tomatina - Buñol, Spain
When: The last Wednesday of August each year
Did somebody say food fight? What began in 1945 as a spontaneous battle among friends has now evolved into an internationally renowned spectacle, with the small Spanish town of Buñol transformed into a crimson battlefield every August for the world’s largest tomato fight. Participants hurl overripe tomatoes at each other, creating a playful chaos that drenches everyone in pulpy red juice. Despite the messy mayhem, the festival is meticulously organized, and a must for those who are fans of a little carefree revelry. And don't mind mess, of course.
2Battle of the Oranges - Ivrea, Italy
When: The date changes each year, but is usually between January – March
If throwing tomatoes isn't your thing, maybe you would prefer to be pelted with oranges? If so, head to the town of Ivrea in northern Italy in February, which bursts into vibrant chaos for three days during the Battle of the Oranges. Symbolising the town's defiance against tyranny, thousands of kilograms of these juicy citrus fruits are hurled through the streets, transforming the town into a colourful, fragrant battlefield complete with historical reenactments and elaborate costumes. Just be sure to take a towel.
3Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling - Gloucestershire, England, UK
When: The last Monday of May each year
We're not sure what the person who invented the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling festival was smoking, but we're very glad he-or-she was - after all, what could be more fun than hurling yourself down a perilously steep hill chasing a hefty round of Double Gloucester cheese? That's what happens every spring in the quaint English village of Brockworth, where the cheese can reach speeds up to 70 mph. This local tradition now draws in both competitors and spectators from all around the world, but a handful of the former are known to get injured, so we would probably recommend sitting this one out. The winner does take home the cheese, however, so some may be swayed.
4El Colacho Baby Jumping - Castillo de Murcia, Spain
When: Mid-June
If there was any such thing as leaps of faith, they would happen every June in the Spanish village of Castrillo de Murcia, where a 400-year-old tradition sees men dressed as devils leaping over rows of newborns laid on mattresses in the street. Yes, you read that right. The ritual, believed to cleanse the babies of original sin and ensure their safe passage through life, is a unique blend of folklore and faith complete with vibrant costumes, rhythmic drumming and the dramatic spectacle of airborne devils. This is one you must see to believe.
5Underwater Music Festival - Looe Key Reef, Florida, USA
When: Mid-July
If you hung up your Glastonbury boots years ago, there's a different kind of music festival that might pique your interest, and it happens in the vibrant waters off the Florida Keys. Held each July, divers and snorkellers are treated to a surreal symphony transmitted through waterproof speakers suspended beneath the waves at the annual Underwater Music Festival, with tunes ranging from sea-themed classics to whimsical compositions. And it's not just good fun, either - the quirky event is aimed at promoting coral reef protection, combining environmental advocacy with an unforgettable underwater experience where participants often don whimsical costumes to transform the ocean floor into a dreamlike dance floor. Don't mind if we do.
6Up Helly Aa - Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland
When: The last Tuesday of January each year
One for history buffs and fans of cosplay, the Up Helly Aa festival - otherwise known as the Shetlands festival of fire - sees torch-wielding guizers parading through the streets of Lerwick in elaborate Norse costumes, culminating in the dramatic burning of a meticulously crafted longship, set ablaze to honour the islands' Scandinavian heritage. With roots tracing back to the 19th century, the festival marries historical pageantry with communal revelry, but just be warned it's notoriously hard to get into - tourists must put their names on the halls waiting list at the VisitScotland tourist centre and keep everything crossed.
7Wife Carrying World Championship - Sonkajärvi, Finland
When: July
While an event inspired by a 19th-century legend about abducting women from villages may raise a few eyebrows, the delightfully odd Wife Carrying World Championship held in the small Finnish town of Sonkajärvi is all in good jest. A tournament in which male competitors race while each carrying a female partner, while it was originally meant to be undertaken on rough, rocky terrains with brooks and more, over time the race has been made more comfortable for the participants, though it still includes sand and water pits. Oh, and victors are awarded the wife's weight in beer, only adding to the merriment.
8Monkey Buffet Festival - Lopburi, Thailand
When: The last Sunday of November each year
Don't worry - this one isn't about dining on monkeys, but rather treating our furry friends to lavish spreads of fruits, vegetables and treats which they enjoy amid the ruins of Khmer temples. Intended to thank the monkeys for bringing tourism to the city, visitors can also expect colourful parades, dances and elaborate monkey statues, plus a The Hunger Games-esque dash as the animals stuff their faces with as much food as possible. Truly fascinating - if not overly hectic - stuff.
