Ah! The serenity of the Christmas Eve…the brightness showered through thousands of lights during Diwali…the vibrancy spread through the fantastic Oktoberfest. These are some of the famous festivals celebrated globally. These known for their colorful cultural celebrations and festive parades. However, there are several unique festivals around the world, intriguing enough to evoke mixed feelings of apprehension and excitement.
Imagine covering yourself entirely in grease and oil paints and muscling it out with an opponent during one of the most unusual festivals. Does that tantalize your imagination?
Well, in this article, I’ll introduce you to eight such extraordinary and exotic festivals that might surprise you, challenge your perceptions, or inspire you to pack your bags and experience these traditional celebrations first-hand.
These offbeat annual events worldwide are packed with fascinating folk rituals and local traditions that offer a deeper insight into diverse cultures around the globe. Let’s get right into it!
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1️⃣ Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Mexico
Forget the notion that death is something to be feared. In Mexico, it’s a reason to celebrate1 with vibrant cultural celebrations!
No, I’m not talking about Halloween.
Every year, from October 31st to November 2nd, families honor their deceased loved ones through traditional ceremonies by creating beautifully decorated altars (ofrendas) covered with marigolds, candles, and offerings of favorite foods and drinks of the deceased.
What is the most unique festival in the world?
One of the most unique festivals is Día de los Muertos in Mexico. It celebrates the lives of the deceased with vibrant altars, sugar skulls, and street parades.
This is the most iconic Mexican festival, honoring deceased loved ones with elaborate altars, colorful decorations, and visits to cemeteries. Oaxaca is by-and-large considered one of the best places to experience it (and to that, I can attest). — Julie B. Rose, Solo Traveller
Streets and cemeteries come alive with festive parades, music, colorful skeletons, and sugar skulls. This is one of the best cultural festivals worldwide, attracting visitors intrigued by local traditions and heritage celebrations.
Rather than mourning, this unusual festival acts as a heartfelt reunion between the living and the dead, reinforcing the idea that love transcends time. Experiencing Día de los Muertos first-hand is genuinely captivating—one of those annual events worldwide that profoundly reflects Mexico’s rich and exotic festivals.
2️⃣ Cascamorras – Spain
Imagine thousands of people covered head to toe in black paint. Racing through the streets of Baza and Guadix in Spain. Just to encounter each other with mud and oil paints during one of Spain’s most unusual festivals.
Which country has the most unusual festivals?
Spain hosts several unusual festivals. One of them is Cascamorras2. Its a paint-covered tradition dating back centuries held annually in the towns of Guadix and Baza, in the province of Granada.
Every September, Spain witnesses one of its biggest, oldest, and most interesting cultural celebrations, which looks a bit chaotic (maybe a little more than a bit!) and yet brings a lot of cheers and fervor within two communities. This traditional celebration is an exciting example of local traditions and heritage celebrations, attracting curious visitors from around the globe.
In a reenactment of a centuries-old dispute over a religious statue. Participants from the town of Guadix attempt to “capture” the statue from Baza while being pelted with paint, grease, and water.
It’s a messy but thrilling folk ritual that brings communities together in the spirit of fun, friendly rivalry, and unforgettable festival experiences.
3️⃣ Up Helly Aa Fire Festival – Scotland
Picture this: hundreds of men dressed as fierce Vikings3, marching through the town of Lerwick with flaming torches, chanting war songs, and looking like they stepped straight out of a Norse saga.
This isn’t just imagination or a television setup but a real scenario one can witness at Europe’s largest fire festival—the Up Helly Aa Fire Festival, one of the best cultural festivals worldwide.
Celebrated on the last Tuesday of January every year, this unique festival takes over Lerwick in Shetland and is truly among Scotland’s most spectacular cultural celebrations and historical festivals.
If you ever needed proof that the Scots know how to throw festive parades and memorable festival experiences. This is it! As the entire town indulges in an all-night party filled with music, dancing, and (of course) plenty of whiskey.
Fun fact: The tradition of Up Helly Aa started in the 1880s. Young men decided setting things on fire was a far better way to celebrate than throwing around barrels of burning tar (which, to be fair, also sounds pretty wild).
4️⃣ Songkran – Thailand
If you thought that taking a dip in the ocean is the only way to get soaked in water, when in Thailand. Wait till you attend Songkran—one of the most unique festivals around the world! Also known as Songkran Festival or Songkran Splendours, this festival marks Thailand’s national New Year celebration.
That’s right! A vibrant and unusual festival right out of the Land of Smiles! If you find yourself in Thailand in mid-April, be prepared to get all drenched up.
Songkran, celebrated as the Thai New Year and is essentially a nationwide water fight. People of all ages arm themselves with buckets, water guns, and hoses to soak each other in the streets during this exciting traditional celebration. But it’s not all about fun. Pouring water over others is a symbolic folk ritual of washing away the past year’s misfortunes and starting fresh.
Alongside this watery chaos, you’ll also find traditional ceremonies such as temple visits, family gatherings, merit-making, and festive parades, making it one of the best cultural festivals worldwide.
5️⃣ La Tomatina – Spain
Well, this might probably be the only out-of-the-ordinary festival that has much more global familiarity. Comparing it to other unusual festivals listed in this article. And if you haven’t heard of La Tomatina4, you’re probably living under a rock.
Held on the last Wednesday of August every year, La Tomatina is one of Spain’s most famous festivals, celebrated with an enormous, messy tomato fight. Thousands of people flood the streets, hurling overripe tomatoes at each other in a wild, squishy spectacle. It’s a day filled with fun, frenzy, and unforgettable memories—often leaving you joyfully drenched in tomato juice and marked with playful bruises. As one female traveler beautifully pens her thoughts:
Some scars leave the best stories—especially those from La Tomatina! – A Solo Treveller
Though the origins of this traditional celebration remain debated. One thing is certain—this unique festival is an incredibly fun (and messy) way to experience unforgettable festival experiences.
It’s truly one of the best cultural festivals worldwide, attracting adventurous travelers eager to witness this chaotic yet delightful local tradition firsthand.
6️⃣ Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling Festival – England
I’m not kidding when I say that there’s a festival that involves people hurling themselves down a near-vertical hill in pursuit of a wheel of cheese. To truly believe this unusual festival, you must head to Gloucester, England, for the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling Festival. Touted as one of the most offbeat festivals and exciting annual events worldwide.
300 yards. 45 degrees. Nine pounds of double Gloucester cheese. The Cooper’s Hill cheese rolling festival is one of the most unique celebrations across the country – Manor Cottages
Celebrated as a unique traditional celebration, the festival takes place in Gloucester every May, and the rules are simple: a 9-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is released from the top of the hill, and dozens of brave (or totally insane!) participants race after it.
The first person to reach the bottom wins the cheese—and possibly a sprained ankle, some bruises, and eternal bragging rights. It’s undoubtedly among the most thrilling festival experiences globally!
7️⃣ Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) – Peru
From hilarious cheese chases to a festival that feels straight out of an ancient empire. Next up is Inti Raymi, one of the most unique festivals around the world and Peru’s grand Festival of the Sun. If you’re a history buff, fascinated by historical festivals and traditional celebrations. Or just love a good spectacle, this June 24th event in Cusco is a must-see.
Inti Raymi dates back to the time of the Incas5, They celebrated the arrival of winter to honor Inti, the Sun God. Today, it’s an elaborate historical reenactment. Featuring vibrant festive parades, traditional Andean music. People enjoying folk rituals, and stunning Inca-style costumes.
I watched in amazement as the Sapa Inca (the festival’s “Inca Emperor”) was carried on a golden throne through Cusco’s ancient streets, followed by a massive crowd dressed in dazzling local traditions. The grand finale at Sacsayhuamán includes a symbolic sacrifice for prosperity.
8️⃣ Pushkar Camel Fair – India
If you think a fair dedicated to camels sounds weird, let me tell you—this is one of India’s most extraordinary and unique festivals around the world, and I loved every second of it.
If you need a break from India’s madness, Pushkar is certainly worth visiting. Here you’ll find peaceful cafes, fresh veggie food and serene lakeside views. However, there’s still culture should you want to learn and get immersed. – Rose, Solo Traveller from UK
Every November, the small desert town of Pushkar in Rajasthan transforms into a bustling carnival. As thousands of camels (yes, thousands) arrive for the Pushkar Camel Fair. But this isn’t just any animal trade fair. It’s a full-blown cultural extravaganza. One of the best cultural festivals worldwide, featuring camel races, beauty contests (for camels!). Folk music, dance performances, festive parades, and even a mustache competition.
Yep, you read that right. Rajasthani men with the longest, most glorious mustaches engage in traditional celebrations. They have a fierce competition for the title of “Best Mustache.” A contest that’s just as competitive as the camel races.
It’s truly among the most exciting annual events worldwide, deeply rooted in local traditions.
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FAQ: Unique Festivals Around the World
What is the most famous festival in the world?
Some of the most famous festivals worldwide include Rio Carnival in Brazil, Oktoberfest in Germany, and Chinese New Year celebrations
Are there any bizarre festivals worth visiting?
Yes! The Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling Festival in England and La Tomatina in Spain are some of the quirkiest and most fun festivals globally
Which festivals are best for travellers looking for adventure?
Adventure seekers should experience the Viking-themed Up Helly Aa in Scotland or the exhilarating Cascamorras festival in Spain.
How do cultural festivals help in understanding different traditions?
Cultural festivals provide deep insights into traditions, history, and local customs, allowing travelers to experience authentic celebrations firsthand.
Conclusion
Each of these unique festivals around the world gave me a newfound appreciation for different cultures. And a ton of unforgettable festival experiences. These are a few stories that will make me sound way cooler at parties.
From unusual festivals like La Tomatina’s tomato fight and exotic festivals such as Inti Raymi. To historical festivals like Up Helly Aa and fascinating local traditions in Pushkar. There’s truly something special about experiencing these cultural celebrations firsthand. So, if you ever get the chance, dive into these annual events worldwide yourself. Trust me, your perception of celebration will never be the same again!
Which of these best cultural festivals would YOU love to experience? Let me know—I might just tag along for round two!
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Additional Resources
- Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Día de los Muertos History ↩︎
- Brisset, Demetrio. (2019). Novas festas profanas em Espanha. Revista Lusófona de Estudos Culturais. 6. 17-36. 10.21814/rlec.2366. ↩︎
- Why were the Vikings such fierce warriors? ↩︎
- Yxeres, Enric & Giménez-Chornet, Vicent. (2018). La Tomatina in Buñol. Internationalization of a festival. 12. 367-389. ↩︎
- Grover S, Lakasing E. The Incas: a journey through history and spirituality. Br J Gen Pract. 2009 Feb 1;59(559):134–5. doi: 10.3399/bjgp09X395175. PMCID: PMC2629829. ↩︎
1 comment
” La Tomatina – Spain” – its amazing !!