These are definitely the strangest festivals around the world
Culture
Would you wanna be there?
These are definitely the strangest festivals around the world
Ever been to a festival and thought, "Well, this is… different"? Around the world, communities gather to celebrate everything from tomatoes and radishes to monkeys and giant wooden effigies set on fire. The festivals on this list prove one thing: humans are wonderfully creative when it comes to celebrating. Ready to discover some of the strangest festivals on the planet?
La Tomatina, Spain
Every August in the small town of Buñol, Spain, thousands gather for one simple mission: to throw tomatoes at complete strangers. Why? No one fully agrees, and that somehow makes it better.
The hour-long food fight uses overripe tomatoes grown specifically for the event, and the streets turn into a red river of pulp. There are rules, yes, including squashing tomatoes before throwing them. But still, would you willingly step into a flying fruit battlefield?
Burning Man, USA
In Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, a temporary city rises from dust each year, built on art and radical self-expression. For one week, participants at Burning Man create massive art installations, themed camps, and experimental performances. There’s no money exchanged inside the event, only gifting.
It all culminates in the burning of a giant wooden effigy known as "The Man."
Day of the Dead, Mexico
Celebrated primarily in Mexico on November 1 and 2, the vibrant Day of the Dead holiday honors loved ones who have passed away. Families build altars with photos, marigolds, candles, and favorite foods of the deceased.
Sugar skulls and painted faces may look spooky, but the mood is joyful rather than mournful. Cemeteries glow with candlelight and music throughout the night.
Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, China
What’s the biggest snowman you’ve ever seen? It was probably nothing compared to this. Each winter in Harbin, China, sculptors carve massive castles, bridges, and mythical creatures from blocks of ice cut from the frozen Songhua River.
At night, colorful lights turn the sculptures into a neon winter wonderland. Some structures are large enough to walk through. How often do you get to explore a city made entirely of ice?
Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand
Once a year in Lopburi, Thailand, locals lay out massive fruit and vegetable feasts for the town’s thousands of macaques. We’re talking towering displays of watermelon, corn, and sticky rice, artfully arranged just for monkeys.
Why celebrate them? Because they’re believed to bring tourism and good fortune. During the Monkey Buffet Festival, the monkeys climb, grab, scatter, and feast while humans watch the chaos unfold.
Up Helly Aa, Scotland
Picture this: hundreds of torch-bearing Vikings marching through the dark winter streets of Lerwick, Scotland. Every January, Shetlanders honor their Norse heritage by building and ceremonially burning a full-sized Viking longship.
The procession ends in a spectacular blaze that lights up the winter night. Afterward, the celebration continues indoors with music and dancing until morning. It's a chance for the community to step into Viking history for a day.
Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake, England
On a steep hill in Gloucestershire, England, competitors chase a rolling wheel of Double Gloucester cheese downhill at full speed. The prize is the cheese itself, naturally. The hill is so steep that injuries are common, yet participants return year after year. There’s no formal registration or safety briefing, just gravity and determination.
Ganzenrijden, Netherlands & Belgium
Known as "goose riding" or "goose pulling," Ganzenrijde is a centuries-old folk tradition involving riders on horseback trying to pull the head off a suspended goose while galloping beneath it. Historically, the goose was real, which understandably sparked controversy.
Today, in the Netherlands and Belgium, the practice has evolved, and most events use symbolic substitutes under strict regulation.
Night Glow Festival, Japan
Every February in the small town of Kawazu, Japan, hundreds of sky lanterns are released at night along the river during the early cherry blossom season. As the pink blossoms bloom weeks before the rest of Japan, the glowing lanterns drift upward in quiet synchronization.
Cheung Chau Bun Festival, China
On the island of Cheung Chau, Hong Kong, competitors race to climb three giant 60-foot bamboo structures covered in replica buns, a traditional Hong Kong food. The goal is to grab as many lucky buns as possible before time runs out.
The tradition dates back to a 19th-century plague, when residents prayed for protection and peace. The festival is celebrated annually, usually in May, and also includes events like parades and lion dances.
10 hacks every traveler wishes they knew sooner
General
Travel like a pro
10 hacks every traveler wishes they knew sooner
Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but let’s face it, unexpected problems can pop up anytime. Don’t worry! Whether you’re an experienced traveler or are preparing for your first big trip, these 10 hacks will make your next adventure smoother, easier, and more fun. You’ll wonder why you didn’t think of them sooner!
Track your bag
Image: Sun Lingyan
Losing luggage is a nightmare for many travelers, but unfortunately, it happens more often than you'd like. But don’t worry, we’ve got a solution. If it’s possible, travel with a carry-on for a faster, lighter, and stress-free experience. In case you do check a suitcase, attach a couple of AirTags so you can track it at all times. It’s also smart to take photos of your luggage: this makes it easier to identify and prove ownership if needed.
The smart way
Image: Kaitlyn Baker
You probably already know that being flexible with your dates and destinations can help you find cheaper flight options that fit your plans. But here’s another trick: use Google’s Incognito mode or a VPN when browsing airline websites. This way, airlines can’t track your activity and won’t try to raise prices based on what you’re looking for.
Early morning team
Image: Julian Hochgesang
If flight prices aren’t a concern, we recommend choosing early morning departures. And it’s not just because we’re morning people. Statistically, these flights are the least likely to be delayed or canceled. As the first flights of the day, they simply don’t carry over the delays from earlier flights.
Get in touch without spending
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If you’re traveling abroad, here’s a tip you’ll love: use an encrypted app like WhatsApp to stay in touch with loved ones back home. This will allow you to send messages and make international calls without extra charges!
Local currency
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If you’re a frequent traveler, you probably already know that your credit card is your best ally. But just in case you don’t know this already: always pay in the currency of the country you’re visiting. Why? Many merchants will offer to convert your purchase into your home currency, but this often comes with extra fees and surcharges. Paying in the local currency lets your bank or card network give you a much better exchange rate, saving you money.
A must-have item
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Unexpected temperature changes can happen anywhere, at any time. That’s why grandmothers always advised carrying a light blanket or a multipurpose scarf on every trip. Yes, this travel hack is simple: bring a blanket. It might seem silly at first, but you’d be surprised how often it can come in handy. You can thank us later.
Functional suitcase
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Rolling your clothes to pack them has been proven to save a lot of space, letting you fit more into your suitcase than with the traditional folding method. But that’s not all! This technique also helps prevent wrinkles, which often happen when clothes are stacked on top of each other. Plus, it makes it easier to see every item without digging through your bag. No folding, no ironing!
Clean, dry clothes
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Some trips can be long, with your suitcase closed for hours. If that’s the case, just put a couple of dryer sheets among your clothes. They’ll keep everything smelling fresh, so your outfits are ready to wear the moment you arrive.
Before leaving
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Our goal here is to help you avoid travel headaches, so here’s a tip we wish we’d known sooner: if you’re traveling abroad, always notify your credit and debit card companies. This prevents your card from being flagged for suspicious activity and avoids it being blocked while you’re away.
Don't forget these!
Image: Limor Zellermayer
We all know it’s important, yet we often forget it: always travel with insurance. Seriously, always. Even if nothing has gone wrong on your past trips, staying cautious, especially when it comes to your health, can make all the difference when you’re in another country. And speaking of must-have items, don’t leave home without a wireless charger. You won’t realize how much you rely on your phone or laptop until the battery dies.
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