There are many unique and unusual festivals around the world, reflecting various cultures. You might be familiar with festivals like Diwali or the Lunar New Year, but there are far weirder festivals that would shock you.
1. Hair Freezing Contest (Canada)
In Canada, people enjoy participating in the International Hair Freezing Contest. During the annual festival, participants at Takhini Hot Pools in Yukon dip their hair into the warm spring water. Afterwards, they wait for the -20°C air to freeze their hair to the point where icicles are formed. The strangest part of the contest is how these participants win, as they are judged by the most creative frozen hairstyles. At the end of the fun game, winners are given cash prizes.
2. Night of the Radishes (Mexico)
In Mexico, locals and tourists attend the Night of the Radishes festival on December 23. While you might be at home thinking it’s just another day before Christmas, people in Oaxaca are carving radishes into intricate sculptures. These radishes amazingly take the shape of nativity scenes to historical events and folklore under the skilful fingers of their sculptors.
3. La Batalla del Vino (The Battle of Wine) (Spain)
In La Rioja, Spain, locals and tourists wear white clothing with red scarves to the Battle of Wine festival in June. The annual celebration involves attendees arming themselves with water guns, buckets, and jugs filled with wine. At this event, attendees enjoy drenching everyone around them in red wine. The festival dates back to the 13th century when it was done in honour of the town’s patron saint.
4. Toe Wrestling Championship (United Kingdom)
There is an unusual festival in the United Kingdom that is centred on people entering wrestling matches with their toes. The traditional Toe Wrestling Championship is held in August in Ashbourne each year. The strange competition features participants demonstrating the swiftness and strength of their toes as they lock their toes and try to pin their opponent’s foot down. The event has attracted many spectators around the globe. The competition originated in the 1970s and despite how silly it might seem, participants have trained to build strength and flexibility for this competition.
5. World Bodypainting Festival (Austria)
Another unusual festival can be found in Austria, in which people enjoy covering their bodies in colourful paint, which ultimately transforms them into walking pieces of art. The World Bodypainting Festival is a yearly celebration held in July in Klagenfurt. Artists from across the globe show off their creativity when they use the human body as their canvas and paint masterpieces. Along with unique designs that are vibrant and sometimes surreal, there are also performances, workshops, and competitions.
6. Boryeong Mud Festival (South Korea)
Lastly on our list of unusual festivals is the Boryeong Mud Festival, which occurs in South Korea. Can you imagine attending a festival to play in the mud? Well, in the 1990s, the Boryeong Mud Festival was created to encourage mud-based cosmetics. The festival is held in July every year, welcoming locals and tourists to participate. Participants have a fun time in mud wrestling matches, competing in obstacle courses, and spa treatments. Additionally, there are mud-based skincare products that attendees can purchase at the festival. They can even have a rejuvenating experience in the therapeutic mud baths.
Conclusion
All of these unusual festivals are cherished, reflecting the culture of the countries and the creativity of the citizens. When planning to visit these destinations, you can consider aligning your trip with these festivals so that you can also participate and have a fresh cultural experience or witness the joys that these festivals evoke in the residents.
