Held annually on the last Wednesday of August in Bu?ol, Spain, this is one of the world’s most famous food fights. Thousands of participants gather to throw overripe tomatoes at each other, turning the town into a sea of red pulp. The festival starts with the "palo jabón" (greased pole) challenge, where participants attempt to climb a pole topped with a ham; once someone succeeds, water cannons fire to signal the start of the tomato battle. Trucks dump tons of tomatoes into the streets, and for one hour, chaos reigns—participants end up covered in juice and pulp, laughing and shouting. The event attracts thrill-seekers and tourists from around the globe, with an estimated 150,000 tomatoes used each year. Despite the mess, the festival has little environmental impact, as the acidic tomatoes clean the streets afterward.
2. Kanamara Matsuri (Japan)
Also known as the "Festival of the Steel Phallus," this event takes place in Kawasaki, Japan, every April. It celebrates fertility and the Shinto belief in the power of creation, featuring parades with large phallic symbols—candy, carved vegetables, and a mikoshi (portable shrine) carrying a massive steel phallus. The festival has its roots in a legend about a sharp-toothed demon hiding inside a woman’s vagina; a blacksmith forged an iron phallus to break the demon’s teeth, protecting the woman and her husband. Today, it’s a quirky yet meaningful celebration that raises money and awareness for HIV research, blending ancient tradition with modern social causes.
3. El Colacho (Spain)
Dating back to 1620, this Catholic festival in Castrillo de Murcia, Spain, is also known as the "Baby Jumping Festival." Tiny infants (born in the previous 12 months) are laid out on mattresses in the street, while men dressed as devils (Colacho) leap over them. The act is believed to cleanse the babies of original sin and protect them from illness and evil spirits. Parents voluntarily place their babies in the street, trusting the tradition to bring good luck. While the Catholic Church has distanced itself from the festival, locals see it as a cultural treasure, continuing the practice as a unique way to celebrate new life.
4. Cheese Rolling Festival (England)
Held on Coopers Hill in Gloucestershire, England, during the Spring Bank Holiday, this event involves chasing a 9-pound wheel of cheese down a steep, uneven hill. Participants risk life and limb, tumbling and somersaulting as they try to catch the cheese, which can reach speeds up to 70 mph—making it nearly impossible to catch. The winner gets to keep the cheese and earn bragging rights for surviving the chaos. The origins of the festival are unclear, but it dates back to at least the early 19th century, evolving from a rural tradition to a global spectacle that attracts daredevils and spectators alike.
5. Monkey Buffet Festival (Thailand)
In Lopburi, Thailand, this annual festival celebrates the town’s large monkey population with a lavish feast. Over 4,000 kg of fruits, vegetables, and other monkey-friendly foods are laid out in elaborate displays—some shaped like animals or flowers—for thousands of macaque monkeys to enjoy. The festival began in 1989 to boost tourism, but it’s also a way to honor the monkeys, which are considered sacred in Thai culture. Locals believe feeding the monkeys brings good luck, and the event raises awareness about wildlife conservation. The sight of monkeys swinging through trees and munching on gourmet treats is both hilarious and heartwarming.
6. Boryeong Mud Festival (South Korea)
Held in July in Boryeong, South Korea, this festival celebrates the mineral-rich mud from the town’s mud flats, which is said to have therapeutic properties. Participants cover themselves in mud, sliding down mud slides, wallowing in mud pits, and even getting mud masks. The festival also features concerts, fireworks, and a huge beach party, turning the usually quiet town into a lively playground. The mud is not just for fun—it’s used in cosmetics and skincare products, and the festival promotes the town’s natural resources. Visitors from around the world come to get "dirty" and enjoy the unique experience, which has grown into a major tourist attraction since its start in 1998.
7. Hadaka Matsuri (Japan)
Also known as the "Naked Festival," this event takes place in various locations across Japan, with the most famous version at Saidaji Temple in Okayama. Held in winter, participants wear only a fundoshi (loincloth) and brave the cold night air in pursuit of sacred sticks called shingi. The sticks are thrown into the crowd, and catching one is believed to bring a year of good luck. The festival has roots dating back over 500 years, originally held to ward off evil spirits and pray for good harvests. While participants are not completely naked (and women are now allowed to participate in some versions), the event retains its ancient mystique, drawing crowds of locals and tourists.
8. Up Helly Aa Fire Festival (Scotland)
Held in Lerwick, Scotland, in January, this is Europe’s largest fire festival, celebrating the islands’ Viking heritage. The festival begins with a march of the Jarl Squad (Viking warriors) and guizers (participants in costume), followed by a torchlit procession through the town. The climax is the burning of a replica Viking longship, which is set aflame to symbolize the end of winter and the return of spring. The night continues with parties, music, and dancing in local halls. Preparations for the festival begin immediately after the previous year’s event, with months spent building the galley and making costumes. It’s a fiery, dramatic celebration that honors Scotland’s Viking past.
9. Songkran Water Festival (Thailand)
Celebrated in mid-April (Thai New Year), this is the world’s largest water fight. People roam the streets with water guns, buckets, and hoses, dousing anyone in sight—from children to elders, locals to tourists. The water is meant to wash away the old year’s misfortunes and bring good luck for the new year. In addition to water fights, people visit temples, pour water over Buddha statues, and pay respects to elders. The festival lasts for three days (officially) but often extends into a week of revelry. It’s a joyous, chaotic celebration that unites people of all ages and backgrounds, turning streets into watery battlegrounds.
10. Frozen Dead Guy Days (USA)
Held in Nederland, Colorado, this quirky festival celebrates the story of Bredo Morstoel, a Norwegian man whose body has been cryogenically frozen in a shed above the town since 1989. The festival features coffin races, polar plunging (jumping into icy water), frozen T-shirt contests (where shirts are frozen and then thawed to see whose dries fastest), and a parade of hearses. Attendees can enjoy live music, costume contests, and even a Frozen Dead Guy lookalike competition. The festival has put Nederland on the map as a quirky tourist destination, sparking discussions about cryonics and the macabre.
11. Ivrea Orange Battle (Italy)
Held during the Carnival of Ivrea in February, this festival reenacts a historical battle between the townspeople and a tyrannical ruler. Participants throw oranges at each other, simulating the throwing of stones and bullets during the battle. The event is like a massive, sticky dodgeball game, with teams forming alliances and strategizing to "defeat" their opponents. Trucks dump tons of oranges into the streets, and the streets turn into a chaotic orange mush. The festival has its roots in the 19th century, when locals revolted against a local duke, and it’s now a beloved tradition that attracts visitors from around the world.
