Top 20 Weirdest Holidays and Festivals in the World 2025

The world is full of vibrant cultures, each with its own unique way of celebrating, commemorating, and coming together. While some festivals are rooted in centuries-old traditions, others have evolved into modern spectacles of creativity and fun. But across all these events, there’s one thing they share in common: they stand out for their quirky, unexpected, and sometimes downright bizarre twists.

In every corner of the world, people gather for activities as diverse as wrestling in the mud, hurling tomatoes at each other, or even carrying spouses through obstacle courses. Many of these festivals celebrate historical legends, religious traditions, or local folklore, while others were born from community spirit or the desire for pure, unbridled fun. Whether driven by reverence, rebellion, humor, or just a love of the weird, these festivals offer insight into the distinctive character and customs of each culture.

From the wild tomato-throwing streets of Buñol in Spain to the icy waters of Finland, where “wife-carrying” champions are crowned, 2025 promises a lineup of festivals as diverse as they are unusual. Attending these events allows travelers and locals alike to immerse themselves in traditions they may never have imagined. For those looking to explore the unexpected, these festivals are sure to deliver unforgettable experiences and memorable photos.

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The vibrant, playful world map highlighting locations of unique festivals with quirky icons, each symbolizing a different event worldwide. Image: KnowInsiders

1. Cheese Rolling Festival (Gloucestershire, UK)

• Date: May 26, 2025
• Description: Every spring, competitors chase a large wheel of cheese down the steep slopes of Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire. Racing against gravity, participants tumble and roll down the hill, often with hilarious—and occasionally painful—results. The first person to catch the cheese is crowned the winner, making for an unusual and adrenaline-filled festival.

2. La Tomatina (Buñol, Spain)

• Date: August 27, 2025
• Description: La Tomatina is the world’s largest tomato fight, held in the small Spanish town of Buñol. Thousands of participants pelt each other with ripe tomatoes in the streets, creating a red, slushy mess that’s fun, strange, and uniquely Spanish. The event lasts about an hour and requires extensive cleaning afterward, but for visitors and locals alike, it’s an unforgettable experience.

3. The Redhead Days Festival (Breda, Netherlands)

• Date: August 30 - September 1, 2025
• Description: Redheads from around the globe gather in Breda, Netherlands, for a festival celebrating their unique hair color. Activities include photo sessions, workshops, and even redhead-themed art exhibitions. The festival is a warm, inclusive gathering that celebrates redheads and embraces diversity in a playful way.

4. Monkey Buffet Festival (Lopburi, Thailand)

• Date: November 30, 2025
• Description: In Lopburi, Thailand, thousands of monkeys are invited to a grand buffet of fruits, vegetables, and sweets. Held to honor the animals that are considered good luck in Thai culture, the Monkey Buffet Festival attracts visitors who marvel at the sight of monkeys feasting and frolicking in the streets. The festival is both a tourist attraction and a display of respect for Thailand’s native macaques.

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5. Wife Carrying World Championships (Sonkajärvi, Finland)

• Date: July 5, 2025
• Description: This Finnish festival involves men carrying their wives through an obstacle course that includes water pools, hurdles, and muddy pits. Originating from an old Finnish legend, the Wife Carrying Championship has become a global event, with contestants from around the world joining for fun, endurance, and the prize of their wife’s weight in beer.

6. Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Festival) (Okayama, Japan)

• Date: February 15, 2025
• Description: The Hadaka Matsuri, or Naked Festival, is a Japanese tradition where thousands of men dressed in minimal clothing (usually just loincloths) gather to seek good fortune. Participants brave the cold and compete to catch sacred wooden sticks tossed by a priest, believed to bring luck for the year. The event is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is considered a cleansing ritual.

The surreal collage of festival scenes, capturing lively moments from unique global celebrations with a whimsical, colorful style

7. Up Helly Aa (Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland)

• Date: January 28, 2025
• Description: Up Helly Aa is a Viking-inspired fire festival in the Shetland Islands. Residents dress as Vikings and parade through the town, culminating in the dramatic burning of a Viking longship. It’s a fiery celebration that draws on Shetland’s Norse heritage, featuring costumes, torchlit processions, and a spectacular bonfire.

8. Battle of the Oranges (Ivrea, Italy)

• Date: February 24 - 26, 2025
• Description: The Battle of the Oranges is Italy’s version of a food fight, where teams of locals hurl oranges at each other in the streets of Ivrea. The festival commemorates a medieval rebellion and serves as a symbolic protest against oppression. Thousands of oranges are used, and participants wear protective gear to shield themselves from the flying fruit.

9. Boryeong Mud Festival (Boryeong, South Korea)

• Date: July 12 - 21, 2025
• Description: At Boryeong Beach, South Korea, visitors are invited to get muddy! This festival, originally created to promote Boryeong’s mineral-rich mud, has grown into a major tourist attraction with mud slides, mud wrestling, and mud baths. People from around the world gather to enjoy the therapeutic and fun benefits of getting covered in mud.

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10. The Baby Jumping Festival (El Colacho) (Castrillo de Murcia, Spain)

• Date: June 8, 2025
• Description: One of the strangest festivals in the world, El Colacho involves men dressed as devils jumping over rows of babies lying on mattresses. The ritual is believed to cleanse infants of sin and protect them from evil. Though unusual, this Spanish festival is deeply embedded in local religious customs and attracts tourists curious about its ancient origins.

11. Golden Retriever Festival (Inverness, Scotland)

• Date: July 19, 2025
• Description: Hundreds of golden retrievers gather in Inverness, Scotland, for a festival dedicated entirely to them. Owners bring their dogs for games, group photos, and a parade of golden fur. It’s a heartwarming event that attracts dog lovers from all over the world and celebrates the bond between humans and their furry companions.

12. Day of Silence (Nyepi) (Bali, Indonesia)

• Date: March 29, 2025
• Description: Nyepi, or the Balinese Day of Silence, is a Hindu festival where the entire island of Bali shuts down for 24 hours of silence, meditation, and self-reflection. Lights, electricity, and travel are restricted, creating a peaceful and eerie atmosphere. It’s a stark contrast to other festivals but offers a unique way to reconnect with oneself.

13. Gurning Championships (Egremont, Cumbria, UK)

• Date: September 13, 2025
• Description: Part of the Egremont Crab Fair, the Gurning Championships invites participants to make the ugliest face possible, often framed by a horse collar. Known for its hilarious expressions, the competition celebrates good humor and has a long tradition in Cumbria, attracting participants from all over the UK.

14. Goat Tossing Festival (Manganeses de la Polvorosa, Spain)

• Date: January 17, 2025 (date subject to local variation)
• Description: Traditionally, this controversial Spanish festival involved villagers tossing a goat from the top of a church tower to honor St. Vincent. Though the actual act has been replaced by symbolic ceremonies in recent years due to animal rights concerns, the festival remains a unique event that sparks discussions about tradition and modern ethics.

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15. World Bog Snorkeling Championships (Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales)

• Date: August 25, 2025
• Description: In the small Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells, competitors swim through a muddy trench using snorkels and flippers. Known for its oddity and challenge, bog snorkeling has drawn contestants from across the globe who take on the muddy waters with enthusiasm.

16. Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) (Mexico)

• Date: November 1 - 2, 2025
• Description: Día de los Muertos is a Mexican celebration honoring deceased loved ones. With colorful decorations, face painting, and ornate altars, families gather to remember the dead in a joyful, rather than somber, way. Skeletons, marigolds, and festive costumes make it a visually striking celebration.

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17. Lopburi Monkey Banquet (Thailand)

• Date: November 30, 2025
• Description: In Lopburi, Thailand, monkeys are treated to a banquet of fruits and food as a way of thanking them for attracting tourists. Thousands of macaques gather in the city to enjoy the buffet, and the festival has become an endearing and amusing tradition.

18. Frozen Dead Guy Days (Nederland, Colorado, USA)

• Date: March 7 - 9, 2025
• Description: In the quirky town of Nederland, Colorado, Frozen Dead Guy Days celebrates the preserved body of a Norwegian man kept frozen in a shed. The festival includes coffin races, ice turkey bowling, and frozen salmon tossing. It’s a humorous yet eerie festival that honors the town’s most unusual resident.

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19. The Smashing of the Clocks (La Meridiana) (Venice, Italy)

• Date: March 1, 2025
• Description: Each year in Venice, the clocks of La Meridiana are smashed to mark the beginning of Lent. The festival features dramatic clock-smashing ceremonies, with masked performers and colorful displays, drawing spectators who come to witness the symbolic smashing of time.

20. Underwater Music Festival (Looe Key Reef, Florida Keys, USA)

• Date: July 12, 2025
• Description: Off the coast of Florida, divers gather for an underwater music concert, with music transmitted through waterproof speakers. Snorkelers, divers, and marine enthusiasts participate in this unique festival, where the underwater setting and floating sounds create a surreal experience.

Conclusion

These 20 festivals showcase the strange, humorous, and fascinating ways that people around the world celebrate life, culture, and history. From diving into mud pits to hurling tomatoes and honoring the deceased with joy, each festival brings something unique to the global stage. If you’re seeking adventure, these festivals offer a perfect opportunity to explore the diversity and creativity of cultures worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are there so many unusual festivals around the world?

• Festivals are often rooted in historical events, legends, or cultural beliefs, and many have evolved over time to become quirky or eccentric. Each country’s unique traditions and sense of humor contribute to the wide variety of unusual festivals worldwide.

2. Can anyone participate in these festivals?

• Many festivals are open to the public, and some even encourage visitor participation. However, some events may require prior registration or involve age restrictions. Always check the festival guidelines before joining in.

3. Are there safety concerns with some of these festivals?

• Yes, some festivals involve risky activities, such as cheese rolling or bog snorkeling. Organizers often provide safety guidelines and protective gear, but it’s essential to approach these festivals with caution and respect for the potential risks.

4. Do these festivals have any historical significance?

• Many of these festivals have historical or cultural origins, such as El Colacho’s roots in religious cleansing rituals or the Viking heritage celebrated at Up Helly Aa. These events allow communities to honor their history in unique ways.

5. What’s the best way to experience these festivals as a visitor?

• If you plan to attend, research the festival in advance and consider booking accommodations early. Observing local customs and respecting the festival’s meaning to the community will enhance your experience, making it a memorable and respectful cultural immersion.

These festivals provide a fantastic glimpse into the creativity, heritage, and playful spirit of cultures around the world.

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