If you are tired of crowded events, seen and photographed on social networks, this article is for you! Indeed, what could be better than to immerse yourself in the culture of a country by discovering one of its most unusual popular festivals? We will not tell you here about the Venice Carnival or the New Year on Times Square in New York, the festivities we have chosen are much more intimate and really unexpected! Get ready to dive in the mud in South Korea, have a huge water battle in Thailand and even sail the waves on a beer can boat in Australia! If these events may seem whimsical at first sight, we promise you a thunderous atmosphere! Here is our selection of the most unusual festivals and celebrations in the world
Boryeong, the mud festival in South Korea
Every year at the end of July, Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, South Korea, is transformed into a real mud pool. The Mud Festival aims to promote this local grey substance which has therapeutic properties. For the occasion, we have fun wading through the slush! Several activities are on the agenda: mud pools, slides, inflatable castles for children, as well as massages and a wrestling competition!
Groundhog Day, the Canadian Groundhog Festival
On February 2nd, in France, we are more busy eating pancakes for Candlemas than watching marmots! Yet, on the same day, a more than original event is taking place in Canada: Groundhog Day. The tradition of waiting in front of a marmot's burrow entrance is most evident in Punxsutawney. If the latter comes out and does not see her shadow, we consider that winter is almost over; on the contrary, if she is frightened and decides to go back to her burrow, winter will last another six weeks! In Punxsutawney, this groundhog has been renamed Phil, he is a real local star
Songkran, a well watered New Year's Eve in Thailand
In Thailand, New Year rhymes with purification. To do this, everyone happily splashes water on each other for three days on the occasion of Songkran. This tradition is rather pleasant because, in April, it can be very hot in Thailand. Originally, the Thais only watered Buddha statues and poured a little water on the hands of their elders, as a token of respect. Today, it is a gigantic water battle that takes place in all the streets of the big Thai cities to wish each other a happy New Year!
The Tomatina, the tomato as a projectile
A controversial tradition, Tomatina is part of Spain's heritage. Celebrated every year in Buñol, not far from Valencia, this gigantic tomato battle began in 1945, during an altercation between several young people who allegedly clashed using these juicy fruits as projectiles. Today, people come from all over the world to throw the tons of ripe tomatoes spilled in the main square of Buñol for the occasion. To take part in the celebration, please note that you will have to pay an entrance fee
Harbin, a festival of ice sculptures
Harbin, in northeast China, has taken advantage of its harsh winter climate to host an incredible festival of ice and snow sculptures. Each year, this unique event focuses on a particular theme. Weeks of work are needed for artists before their works are exposed to the public, but the result is worth the detour: by day, it is a real ice-cold museum, by night, all the works are illuminated to form a magical setting
Kanamara Matsuri, celebrating fertility in Kawazaki
Kanamara Matsuri could be translated as "Iron Penis Festival", this event takes place in Kawazaki, Japan, every first Sunday in April. During this shinto celebration of fertility and harmony between spouses, an unusual procession with giant phallus trees takes place. This event is also an opportunity to raise funds for AIDS research and to fight against homosexual discrimination
Darwin and his beer can regatta
In Darwin, Australia, nothing is lost, everything is transformed! Every year, in July, a rather unusual boat race is organised in Mindil Beach: the beer can regatta. Participants test their makeshift boats made of beer cans in the scrolls of the ocean. A great way to have fun while recycling! Throughout the day, concerts are also organised on the beach
Kattenstoet, the cat procession in Belgium
Take your diaries: every three years, on the second Sunday in May, the Kattenstoet, the cat procession, is held in Ypres. In the Middle Ages, the tradition was that these animals were thrown from the top of the belfry tower every year. As witches' companions, cats were, in fact, assimilated to evil. Today, of course, it is stuffed animals that are thrown from the belfry tower, and for the occasion a large parade takes place in the streets of Ypres where floats and giant cats march.
UFO festival, an extraterrestrial festival in Oregon
In 1950, a farmer in McMinnville took a series of photographs showing a UFO. Today, McMinnville is known for its UFO festival, the largest in the United States after Roswell. Every year, in May, a large parade is organized during which everyone shows off their best alien disguise. For three days, the city enters a parallel festive dimension!
Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake, the English cheese race
Every year since the 19th century, the Cooper's Hill Hills in Brockworth, England, have hosted a rather unusual competition: the cheese race. A huge double Gloucester cheese of nearly 4 kg rushes down the slopes at a mad speed, the objective of the participants is to try to catch up with it to win the race. Their falls are often spectacular given the slope of the hill: would you do anything for a tasty cheese?
