7 Unusual Festivals Around the World You Won't Believe Exist

Dec 21, 2023, 17:09 IST

Moohita Kaur Garg

Around the world there exist some pretty quirky festivals involving the most unusual rituals. Here are some you should know.

La Tomatina

Spain's tomato frenzy is known to everyone. The streets of Buñol transform into a chaotic sea of red as participants engage in the world's largest tomato fight.

Boryeong Mud Festival

At South Korea's Boryeong Mud Festival, mud wrestling, slides, and spa treatments turn a coastal town into a muddy paradise.

Wife Carrying Championship

In Finland, they hold a quirky race, where participants shoulder their spouse and sprint to victory at Wife Carrying Championship, a unique race where couples navigate obstacles and compete for glory.

Viking Fire Festival

In Scotland, the Up Helly Aa in Shetland, has torch-wielding "Vikings" ignite the night in a dramatic homage to Norse traditions.

Flaming Balls Festival

At Bolas de Fuego, El Salvador's "Balls of Fire" festival, participants swing fiery balls around in a mesmerising display of controlled chaos.

Naked Man Festival

In Japan, during Hadaka Matsuri aka Japan's Naked Man Festival, thousands clad only in loincloths gather for a chilly communal experience believed to bring good fortune.

Night of the Radishes

In Mexico's Oaxaca, there's a festival called Night of the Radishes, an event where artisans carve intricate scenes from radishes, turning humble vegetables into ephemeral masterpieces.

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