I have found that visiting a destination during a festival greatly enhances the travel experience. My first encounter with this was in Quebec many years ago. One summer, I attended both the Just for Laughs festival and the International Jazz Festival. Both events were incredible and made that trip truly memorable.

Since then, I have actively searched for festivals in every destination I visit. I have even timed trips around specific celebrations. From the Running of the Bulls (spectator only, thank you) to chocolate festivals, and once, completely by chance, I found myself in Galway, Ireland, during the Volvo Ocean Race festivities. I had no idea it was happening until I arrived and saw all the sailing vessels and colorful flags. It also explained why finding accommodations was so challenging when I made my booking!

The Magic of Festivals

The world is rich with extraordinary celebrations showcasing the incredible diversity of human culture. These festivals offer travelers a chance to witness traditions ranging from the wonderfully weird to the deeply meaningful. Here are twelve of the most interesting, fun, crazy, or unusual festivals that are sure to be on many adventurous travelers' bucket lists.

1. La Tomatina - Buñol, Spain

One of the most renowned festivals is La Tomatina. On the last Wednesday of August, the small Spanish town of Buñol transforms into a tomato battleground. Thousands of participants hurl approximately 150,000 overripe tomatoes at each other in a chaotic display of fun.

This festival began in 1945 during a local parade dispute. Despite facing a few attempts to ban it in the 1950s, La Tomatina has become one of Spain's most celebrated events. Participants emerge coated in tomato pulp, grinning from ear to ear. The town ensures there are plenty of tomatoes, with only two rules: squash your tomatoes before throwing them and stop when the water cannon signals the end.

La Tomatina has grown in popularity, necessitating crowd control measures. Before 2013, about 50,000 people flocked to Buñol for the festival, which has a permanent population of just 9,000. To manage the sizable crowd, an official ticketing system capped participation at 20,000 festival-goers starting in 2013.

Accommodation in Buñol is scarce during the festival. Many visitors choose to stay in the nearby city of Valencia instead. Local businesses prepare for the inevitable mess by covering storefronts in massive plastic sheeting, creating an unusual scene that hints at the impending chaotic fun.

2. El Colacho (Baby Jumping Festival) - Castrillo de Murcia, Spain

One of the most heart-stopping festivals globally is El Colacho. During this Catholic celebration, men dressed as devils leap over babies born in the previous twelve months. Dating back to 1620, it is believed to cleanse newborns of original sin and protect them from evil spirits.

The "Colachos" run through the streets before jumping over mattresses where the babies lie. Parents willingly place their infants on these mattresses, trusting in this age-old tradition. Remarkably, this practice has incurred no injuries throughout its long history. Locals firmly believe that the ritual brings good luck and health to the babies for their entire lives.

3. Cheese Rolling Festival - Cooper's Hill, England

At Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire, brave souls chase a Double Gloucester cheese wheel down a steep hill. The hill's steepness makes this pursuit as dangerous as it is absurd. Competitors tumble and roll down the 200-yard slope, with the first to cross the finish line winning the 7-pound cheese wheel.

The cheese reaches speeds of up to 70 mph, making it nearly impossible to catch. Medical personnel stand by, treating inevitable injuries. Despite the potential for harm, this centuries-old tradition attracts participants from around the globe, all eager to risk life and limb for a chance at dairy glory.

4. Monkey Buffet Festival - Lopburi, Thailand

In the historic city of Lopburi, thousands of macaque monkeys are treated to a grand feast. This unique festival honors the monkeys that call the city home, particularly surrounding the ancient Khmer temples. Tables overflow with over 4,000 kilograms of fruits, vegetables, cakes, and candies, forming a magnificent buffet for the monkeys.

The monkeys dive into the feast, while tourists and locals observe in amazement. This captivating festival serves both as a tourist attraction and a way for locals to express gratitude toward the monkeys. They are regarded as descendants of the monkey army that aided the Hindu god Rama. Witnessing hundreds of monkeys feasting together is an unforgettable experience.

5. World Bog Snorkeling Championship - Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales

In the peat bogs of Wales, brave competitors don flippers, masks, and snorkels to race through muddy water trenches. They must navigate two lengths of a 60-yard trench cut through the bog, relying solely on flipper power. The current world record stands at just over one minute, a remarkable achievement considering the challenging conditions.

Participants emerge from the bog covered in mud and aquatic plant life, often struggling to see through fogged masks. This quirky event draws hundreds of competitors from around the world, all eager to claim the title of world bog snorkeling champion.

6. Up Helly Aa - Lerwick, Scotland

Every January's last Tuesday, the Shetland Islands come alive with Europe's largest fire festival, Up Helly Aa. This celebration, steeped in Viking heritage, features a torchlight procession led by the Guizer Jarl, who is dressed as a Viking warrior. Nearly 1,000 participants carry flaming torches through Lerwick's streets before gathering around a replica Viking longship.

The climax sees participants hurl their torches into the longship, creating a massive bonfire that lights up the winter night. The festivities continue with visits to local halls, where costumed squads perform skits and songs. This event not only connects attendees to Scotland's Norse heritage but creates a stunning spectacle of fire, history, and community spirit.

7. Cucaña Festival - Various Locations Across Spain

During summer festivals and saint's day celebrations across Spain, a thrilling event known as Cucaña takes place. Brave participants attempt to climb a tall wooden pole slicked with grease or soap to grab prizes hanging from the top. The pole can reach heights of 15 to 20 feet, making it incredibly difficult to scale.

The prizes usually include hams, sausages, or money, dangling tantalizingly at the top. The Cucaña fosters cooperation, as climbers often form human pyramids to boost each other upward. Crowds gather to cheer, laugh, and watch the inevitable tumbles, with successful climbers greeted with thunderous applause.

8. Burning Man - Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA

Burning Man is well-known and has grown significantly in popularity since its inception in 1986. The 2024 festival marked the first time it did not sell out, possibly due to the previous year's extreme weather. Held in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, this event creates a temporary city dedicated to radical self-expression, self-reliance, and community.

Burning Man transforms the desert landscape into a surreal playground filled with towering art installations and elaborate camps. The festival operates on a gift economy, meaning nothing is sold except ice, coffee, and tickets. Attendees must bring their supplies, including shelter, food, and water, necessary for surviving the harsh desert environment.

The week culminates with the burning of a massive wooden effigy, followed by the burning of the Temple, a space for reflection and remembrance. While considering attendance, families should be aware that this environment can be overstimulating. Discussing the presence of nudity and preparations is essential for those bringing children.

9. Boryeong Mud Festival - Boryeong, South Korea

Originally a marketing campaign for cosmetic products derived from Boryeong mud, the Boryeong Mud Festival has become one of Asia's messiest and most beloved events. Millions flock to Daecheon Beach to cover themselves in mineral-rich mud, trucked in from local mud flats. Activities include mud wrestling, mud sliding, and even a mud marathon.

Beyond the playful mud antics, the festival also features live music, fireworks, and a massive beach party. The mud is renowned for its beneficial properties for the skin, making this one of the rare festivals where getting dirty is beneficial. Cleanup can be lengthy, but attendees often deem the experience worthwhile.

10. Night of the Radishes - Oaxaca, Mexico

Every December 23rd, Oaxaca City becomes an outdoor gallery during La Noche de los Rábanos (Night of the Radishes). This festival, which began in 1897, showcases intricate sculptures carved entirely from oversized radishes. Artists spend months preparing for this fierce competition, with sculptures depicting nativity scenes and local legends.

Since the radishes quickly deteriorate, the festival lasts only one night. Thousands flock to the square to admire the artistry, knowing they're witnessing ephemeral art that exists for precious hours.

11. Pumpkin Regatta - Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada

Each October, the small town of Windsor hosts the delightful Pumpkin Regatta on Lake Pesaquid. This whimsical competition began in 1999, with local farmers discovering that their Atlantic Giant pumpkins could be turned into boats. Participants hollow out these massive gourds and paddle across an 800-meter course.

The sight of people paddling oversized orange vessels while dressed in costumes creates an entertaining atmosphere. Although capsizing is common, safety records are excellent, with rescue boats on standby.

12. Woolly Worm Festival - Banner Elk, North Carolina, USA

High in the Appalachian Mountains, Banner Elk hosts the Woolly Worm Festival, dedicated to predicting winter weather through woolly bear caterpillars. Here, participants race caterpillars up three-foot strings as spectators cheer. The winning caterpillar's owner receives a cash prize, and the worm's color bands are analyzed to forecast the winter.

The festival features mountain crafts, bluegrass music, and traditional Appalachian food, showcasing the region's connection to nature and the charm of folk wisdom, even in today's technological age.

Some Honorable Mentions

• Running of the Bulls (San Fermín Festival) – Pamplona, Spain

• Hadaka Matsuri – Okayama, Japan

• Goose Pulling Festival – Lekeitio, Spain

• Wife Carrying World Championship – Sonkajärvi, Finland

• Air Guitar World Championship – Oulu, Finland

• Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus) – Kawasaki, Japan

• World Toe Wrestling Championship – Derbyshire, England

• Testicle Festival – Clinton, Montana, USA

• Naki Sumo Crying Baby Festival – Tokyo, Japan

• Thaipusam – Tamil communities, Malaysia & India

• BugFest – Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

• Burning Tar Barrel Festival – Ottery St. Mary, England

• International Hair Freezing Contest – Takhini Hot Springs, Canada

  
  

Summary

When planning to attend these remarkable festivals, travelers should research dates in advance, as many occur only once a year and can attract significant crowds. Accommodations fill quickly in smaller towns, and some festivals require advance registration or have attendee limits. Approach these celebrations with respect for local customs and an open mind ready to embrace the unexpected.

These extraordinary celebrations offer travelers the chance to participate in living traditions, showcasing everything from ancient rituals to modern creative expressions. For adventurous travelers, these unusual festivals provide lasting memories and stories that no conventional tourist attraction can replicate.