Festivals bring people together in celebration, but some take things to a whole new level of weirdness. From throwing tomatoes at strangers to carrying burning barrels on your back, the world is full of bizarre and unforgettable festivals. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, here are five of the most unusual festivals you must experience at least once.
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La Tomatina – Spain
Imagine thousands of people covered head to toe in squashed tomatoes, turning the streets into a giant red soup. That’s exactly what happens every year in the town of Buñol, Spain, during La Tomatina. Held on the last Wednesday of August, this massive food fight involves throwing over 100 tons of ripe tomatoes at fellow participants. The festival started in 1945 as a spontaneous street brawl and has since grown into one of Spain’s most famous (and messiest) traditions.
Baby Jumping Festival – Spain
Spain seems to have a thing for bizarre festivals, and El Colacho, or the Baby Jumping Festival, is no exception. Taking place in the town of Castrillo de Murcia, this 400-year-old tradition involves men dressed as devils leaping over rows of newborn babies laid on mattresses. The belief is that the jump cleanses the infants of original sin and brings them good luck. While it may seem dangerous, no babies have ever been harmed during the festival.
Monkey Buffet Festival – Thailand
In the city of Lopburi, Thailand, the local monkeys get treated to a royal feast once a year. The Monkey Buffet Festival is a unique event where over 4,000 monkeys are served an extravagant spread of fruits, vegetables, and sweets. The festival is meant to honor the monkeys, who are considered sacred in Thai culture. Tourists flock to watch the playful primates enjoy their massive buffet, often causing chaos as the cheeky monkeys steal food (and sometimes belongings) from visitors.
Burning Tar Barrel Festival – England
If you think carrying a flaming barrel on your back sounds crazy, then you need to visit Ottery St Mary in England. Every November 5th, locals run through the streets with burning tar barrels hoisted on their shoulders. The origins of the festival remain unclear, but it’s believed to date back centuries as part of Guy Fawkes Night celebrations. Only locals are allowed to carry the barrels, and the event is taken very seriously. The sight of people sprinting through the dark with flames bursting from their backs is both terrifying and thrilling.
Kanamara Matsuri – Japan
Known as the “Festival of the Steel Phallus,” Kanamara Matsuri in Japan is one of the most eyebrow-raising celebrations in the world. Held in Kawasaki every April, the festival celebrates fertility, love, and good fortune. Gigantic phallic-shaped floats, candies, and decorations fill the streets, creating a unique blend of humor and tradition. The event has historical roots in promoting s*xual health and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. While it may seem unusual, it’s all in good fun and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
From food fights to fire runs, the world is filled with wild and wacky festivals that push the limits of celebration. Whether you want to throw tomatoes, watch monkeys feast, or witness a fertility parade, these bizarre festivals offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences that you won’t find anywhere else.
FAQs
Where is La Tomatina held?
La Tomatina takes place in Buñol, Spain, every August.
Why do people jump over babies in Spain?
It’s believed to cleanse babies of sin and bring them good luck.
What happens at the Monkey Buffet Festival?
Thousands of monkeys feast on fruits and sweets in Lopburi, Thailand.
Is the Burning Tar Barrel Festival safe?
Only trained locals carry the barrels, but it remains a risky event.
What is the purpose of Kanamara Matsuri?
It celebrates fertility, love, and raises awareness about s*xual health.
