Most Unusual Festivals Celebrated Around The World

S ometimes, Weirdness can be a thing of beauty- and this is exactly what these festivals are!

The world is full of fun and crazy people, and few festivals are solid proof. Across the globe, there are tons of strange and spectacular festivals commemorating everything. Spring and summer seem to be festival seasons, and this time of the year, there’s a lot to celebrate. Warm weather, blossoming flowers, the ability to carry your wife long distances – wait, what??

Humans have an affinity for celebrating the mundane and the ridiculous. If anything, it’s a testament to every culture’s ability to enjoy a good party, no matter the reason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAvgLLe_jQc&feature=youtu.be

We have come across some of the craziest, messiest, and most colorful art festivals and national holidays ever. Let’s have a weird look!

Mud Festival, South Korea

We all know, mud is great for our skin. Specifically, the Boryeong mud used in their Boryeong Mud Cosmetics line is great for your skin. To convince a doubtful populace, the company established the Boryeong Mud Festival at idyllic Daecheon beach , where participants get down and dirty in the local mineral-laden mud.

Since then, this festival has become a hit with the Korean ex-pat population . A variety of mud-themed activities take place on the day of the fest, from mud photography to mud massages.

Did you get Dirty? Don’t worry; just take a dip in the sea.

Lathmar Holi, Vrindavan, India

One of the most unique festivals of India, Lathmar Holi is rather an easygoing confrontation between men of Nandgaon (Krishna’s village) and women of Barsana (Radha’s village) near Vrindavan . The History says that during the days preceding Holi, Krishna visited his beloved Radha and ended up teasing her friends. The women of Barsana reacted by chasing down Krishna with sticks (lathis).

Since then men and women of these villages recreate the famous event every year as women beat up men with long sticks. The unfortunate men who get caught are made to dress like a woman and dance in public.

Argungu Fishing Festival, Nigeria

In the Argungu Fishing Festival in Nigeria, at the firing of a pistol, hundreds of men storm into the shallow Malan Fada River and catch fish using nets, gourds or just their bare hands. The man with the largest fish wins the day.

Although fishing is banned, but for this one day in spring, the river is well-stocked and the fish are huge: winning catches have topped 160 pounds. Unfortunately, Nigeria's tourist troubles have forced the festival to be cancelled often recently, though there is always hope that it will come back next year.

Naki Sumo, Japan

Two giant sumo wrestlers step into a ring, looking as tough as they are massive, and they square up to each other threateningly. Each is holding an infant. The goal of each sumo wrestler is to make his opponent's baby cry.

This may seem like a setup for either disaster or comedy in the minds of most, but to the Japanese parents handing over their babies to the giant wrestlers, it's an effort to bring good luck to their kids. It is also said to ward off evil spirits. And what if the kids don't cry? The referee steps in wearing a terrifying mask to make sure that no infant goes psychologically unharmed for the day.

Baby Jumping Fiesta, Spain There are some unusual baptism traditions around the world, but the baby jumping festival in Castrillo de Murcia, Spain, may be the most bizarre in the Western world.

For 400 years, men dressed as devils have been jumping over babies in this small town in northern Spain to cleanse them of sin and guard them against evil spirits and illness. Each year on the Catholic feast day of Corpus Christi, infants born in the last 12 months are set on mattresses throughout the town for a devil incarnate to leap over.

That’s not a typo, jumping over babies lying on blankets is the name of the game at this festival.

La Tomatina, Spain

Have you watched Bollywood Movie “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”?

Did u witnessed the Tomato Festival going on in Spain?

Well…that’s La Tomatina!

One of the more famous festivals on this list, La Tomatina is a messy mass tomato fight in the streets of Bunol.

La Tomatina started as a revolt against city councilmen. Or maybe the people of Buñol were just down for a good tomato fight! Whatever the hell started La Tomatina, those who make it to this weird festival will join an hour-long brawl of epic proportions.

Lopburi Monkey Banquet, Thailand

None of the animal sanctuaries around the world will ask you to feed the animals. However, in Thailand, there is an entire festival dedicated to feeding the monkeys. The residents of Lopburi, one of the oldest cities in Thailand, prepare a massive banquet specifically for their resident monkeys.

The festival is held at the ruins, where huge banquet tables of fruit, salads, and sticky rice are set out for the monkeys to share with festival-goers.

So, Why not swing by and experience the monkey madness and maybe make a few new furry friends.

Underwater Music Festival; Florida, USA

Singing in the shower is a popular pastime, but an entire music festival held underwater can be found off the Florida Keys. Divers and snorkelers hit the water each July to watch musicians dressed as fish and mermaids “play” on mock nautical-themed instruments, such as the “fluke-a-lele” and “trom-bonefish”.

“Landlubbers” can still enjoy a range of festival activities on the shore.

Night of the Radishes, Mexico

Fancy refining your pumpkin carving skills to something a little smaller?

The Noche de Rabanos, or "Night of the Radishes" , may sound like a particularly terrible B-horror movie but in reality, it's a delightful Christmastime celebration that occurs every December 23rd and features intricately and ornately carved radish sculptures.

In this, a dedicated radish plantation has been established outside the city to provide contestants with material for their artistic sculptures. A large cash prize is up for grabs today for the best carved radish display.

The name sounds like the title of a naff horror movie, but don’t be fooled – this festival is a true work of art.

International hair freezing contest, Canada

Winter in the North is so cold that you wouldn’t imagine setting foot outside without headwear in case your hair freezes. Yet in Canada, there is an entire festival dedicated to creating the most bizarre frozen hair sculptures. With temperatures at around minus 20, festival-goers converge on the Takhini Hot Pools to create their icy coiffures. Simply soak your head in the water, and when you lift it out, the freezing air outside will complete the sculpture for you.

This fiercely-fought contest involves people freezing their hair in weird and fantastic shapes, using just water and the frigid Canadian air.

Wife Carrying Championships, Finland

No one is quite sure how wife-carrying became a sport, but Finland’s Wife Carrying World Championships is now in its 18th year, has proven to be very popular.

The concept is very straight-forward: The male competitor must carry his female teammate from one point to another. Sounds easy? Well, It’s not. The course is riddled with obstacles, from fences to water hazards. The wife may be, “your own, the neighbor’s, or you may have found her further afield”.

If you and your partner feel like you need a stiff drink afterward, you’re in luck. The grand prize is the winning wife’s weight in beer.

BATTLE OF THE ORANGES, ITALY

The Battle of the Oranges is definitely one of Italy’s craziest festivals. For three days during Carnival, teams on foot and horse cart haul oranges at one another in the streets. You can hide behind the nets, or arm yourself with oranges to join the battle.

Bystanders and tourists are recommended to wear a special red hat, or else they might be mistaken for the ‘fighters’ and thrown oranges at.

It’s the highlight of the year for locals and the atmosphere is just amazing! One of the best parties you’ll ever have!

FASNACHT, SWITZERLAND

Switzerland’s largest Carnival, Fasnacht, is a festival of masks. The masks most commonly represent politicians, characters, and animals, and it is considered inappropriate to reveal one’s identity while parading.

It commences with a parade at 4 am on a Monday, known as Morgenstreich. Members of different groups showcase giant lanterns depicting social issues and play instruments like piccolos and drums in a synchronized manner.

The three days of the Fasnacht are an experience in itself but be prepared to get attacked with confetti on the streets if you are caught without a badge supporting the Fasnacht.

HOGMANAY, SCOTLAND

New Years may be a serious party any part of the world, but in Scotland, it’s extra special. Possibly derived from the Norse winter solstice, customs include first-footing, fireball swinging, eating steak pie, and singing along to Auld Lang Syne.

Picture the core of the city bustling with people partying, staring at fireworks as midnight approaches, having a blast even when the weather doesn’t help. Then add popular dances, an ice rink, Christmas markets, a Ferris wheel, a torchlight procession on the 30th, a proper music festival on the 31 st .

I doubt there is another place on earth rocking NYE as much as Edinburgh!

World Bodypainting Festival, Austria

This isn't your typical animal face and butterfly bodypainting you see at kid’s birthday parties. The World Bodypainting Festival gathers the best of the best. Artists from over 40 countries will compete for awards in body and face painting, special effects make-up, UV effects, and more.

The competitors use faces and torsos as canvases to create their works of art. Art-lovers can get their fill at the various exhibitions, plus purchase pieces at the market, or attend the Body Circus, a party where guests dress in surreal costumes.

These were few festivals that comprise the height of absurdity in theme or execution, and that’s what makes them so utterly enjoyable to participate in.

International festivals can offer you extraordinary experiences and help you get to know a new country. So, If you are planning your holidays, be sure to check if the countries you're visiting have any festivals or national days in the schedule.