The Weirdest Festivals Around the World

Some traditions are so unusual they make you wonder how they ever got started. Across the globe, people gather each year to throw tomatoes, race with cheese wheels, or even bathe in wine. If you think you've seen it all, these festivals will prove otherwise.

La Tomatina – Spain

Imagine thousands of people covered in red pulp, slipping and sliding through the streets as tomatoes fly through the air.

Held in Buñol, this festival is essentially a massive food fight with trucks dumping tons of ripe tomatoes for participants to hurl at each other.

A chaotic, messy spectacle that lasts an hour but leaves the town stained for days.

Cheese Rolling Festival – England

Picture a nine-pound wheel of cheese rolling down a dangerously steep hill, followed by a crowd of people tumbling after it.

This annual event in Gloucestershire is as hilarious as it is risky, with contestants often ending up with bruises—or worse.

The goal? Be the first to reach the bottom and claim the cheese.

Wife Carrying Championship – Finland

Husbands sling their wives over their shoulders and dash through an obstacle course that includes water traps and hurdles.

The winner earns their wife's weight in beer, which is probably enough motivation to keep running.

A bizarre but fiercely competitive tradition with origins dating back centuries.

Monkey Buffet Festival – Thailand

A lavish banquet laid out for monkeys—yes, actual monkeys.

Lopburi, a town overrun with these mischievous creatures, sets up a feast of fruits, vegetables, and sweets as an offering to keep them happy.

Tourists and locals watch as the primates feast like royalty, sometimes even getting a little too close for comfort.

Battle of the Oranges – Italy

A historic reenactment that turns into an all-out orange war.

Participants in Ivrea split into teams and pelt each other with citrus fruit, symbolizing a medieval revolt against tyranny.

Helmets and padding are recommended—those oranges are thrown with serious force.

Baby Jumping Festival – Spain

In the small town of Castrillo de Murcia, men dressed as devils leap over rows of babies lying on mattresses.

A tradition dating back to the 1600s, believed to cleanse infants of original sin and bring them good fortune.

Equal parts fascinating and nerve-wracking to watch.

Air Guitar World Championships – Finland

No actual instruments, just people rocking out to imaginary guitars with all the energy of a real performance.

Contestants take the stage, shredding invisible solos with full commitment, hoping to be crowned the best air guitarist in the world.

A celebration of passion, ridiculousness, and unfiltered joy.

These festivals defy logic, embrace absurdity, and bring people together in ways that make life a little more interesting. Some involve dodging flying fruit, while others test endurance, courage, or sheer enthusiasm for the bizarre. One thing is certain—each of these events is an experience like no other.

Of course, getting to these far-flung locations requires some careful planning. Or, you could make things easier by booking a private jet at www.swiftwingsjet.com and arrive in style—ready to throw tomatoes, chase cheese, or cheer on a champion air guitarist.