Strangest Festivals You’ll Probably Never Attend
Weird festivals you’ll probably never go to—but hey, they exist.
Sure, you’ve heard of Coachella and Oktoberfest, but what about the festivals that make you do a double take? The ones where people willingly throw themselves down hills, launch food at strangers, or, uh, jump over babies? If you’re into the weird and wonderful, these festivals might be for you. Otherwise, they’re just fun to know about.
Cheese Rolling Festival – England
Chase a wheel of cheese, risk your life.
In Gloucestershire, England, people sprint (or more accurately, tumble) down a ridiculously steep hill after an 8-pound wheel of cheese. The first person to reach the bottom wins the cheese. Everyone else wins a few bruises and some great footage for fail compilations. Why do they do it? No one really knows.
La Tomatina – Spain
An all-out food fight with tomatoes.
Every year, the streets of Buñol, Spain, turn into a giant, messy battlefield as thousands of people pelt each other with overripe tomatoes. There’s no real reason behind it, but who needs a reason to throw tomatoes at strangers? It’s fun, chaotic, and will leave you smelling like spaghetti sauce.
Kanamara Matsuri – Japan
A festival dedicated to... phallic symbols.
Held in Kawasaki, Japan, this festival is exactly what it sounds like. Giant phallic statues, penis candy, and a parade that leaves tourists both amused and confused. It’s actually a fertility festival, however, most visitors come for the sheer weirdness of penises.
Wife Carrying World Championships – Finland
Love means carrying your spouse through an obstacle course.
In Sonkajärvi, Finland, men compete by carrying their wives through a grueling course filled with obstacles. The grand prize? The wife’s weight in beer. The most popular carrying technique involves the wife hanging upside down on her husband’s back, which is both effective and hilarious.
Monkey Buffet Festival – Thailand
A giant feast—for monkeys.
In Lopburi, Thailand, locals prepare an extravagant spread of fruit and treats… for the town’s thousands of monkeys. They swarm the tables, stuffing their faces while tourists watch in amusement (or mild horror). It’s cute at first, until the monkeys start fighting over snacks like tiny, furry hooligans. Once that happens, it is no longer fun.
El Colacho (Baby Jumping Festival) – Spain
Yes, people actually jump over babies.
In Castrillo de Murcia, men dressed as devils leap over rows of babies lying on mattresses in the street. It’s meant to cleanse them of sin and bring good luck. Somehow, this tradition has been going strong since the 1600s without major incidents, which is honestly impressive.
World Toe Wrestling Championships – England
Toe wrestling. Like thumb wrestling, but grosser.
Held in Derbyshire, England, this "sport" involves contestants locking toes and trying to pin each other’s foot down. It’s as weird as it sounds, and probably not an event you want front-row seats for. Unless you really love feet.
Battle of the Oranges – Italy
A historic battle, but make it citrus.
Every year in Ivrea, Italy, thousands of people split into teams and chuck oranges at each other with impressive force. It’s part of a historic reenactment, but mostly, it’s just an excuse for an all-out fruit war. Unless you enjoy getting pelted with high-speed oranges, you might want to sit this one out.
Up Helly Aa – Scotland
Vikings, fire, and more fire.
In the Shetland Islands, locals dress as Vikings, wield flaming torches, and set a giant Viking longship ablaze. It’s an epic sight, perfect for anyone who loves history—or just really enjoys watching things burn in a controlled setting.
Goat Tossing Festival – Spain (Now Banned)
Yes, this was real. No, it’s not anymore.
Once upon a time in Manganeses de la Polvorosa, Spain, locals would throw a live goat off a church tower as part of a festival. Someone always caught it in a sheet below, but still… what?! Thankfully, this tradition was banned in the early 2000s, because obviously.
Done. Some of the strangest festivals on the planet. Will you ever attend them? Probably not. But now, if someone ever brings up "the festival where people chase cheese off a cliff," you can nod and say, "Oh yeah, I know that one."
