TimoHartikainen/Getty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/tYodyCT8qZO71y.gHkXaRw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/c5f630618da5b5223d6179f459d87b9a>
Europe is home to some of the world’s most unusual and fascinating festivals, each with its own quirky traditions. From fire festivals in Scotland to peculiar parades in Spain, these events are as bizarre as they are brilliant. If you’re in the mood for something out of the ordinary, these festivals are a must-see.
In our opinion, these are Europe’s strangest festivals. read on to see how we’ve ranked them…
40. Springfest, GermanyRnDmS/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ON.2rhCbTBvPIO_O7ZuNkw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/bee00847e632ba4363a35a6c057619b2>
In the town of Ivrea, Italy, The Battle of the Oranges takes place annually, and commemorates the fight against a tyrannical baron in the 12th century. Participants divide into teams and hurl oranges at one another in a chaotic street battle. Protective helmets are strongly recommended for this citrus-filled clash, but it’s all in good fun as the town celebrates its history.
37. Air Guitar World Championships, FinlandShirlaineForrest/Getty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/L0td0k5wV9NbKDb87IdaMQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/ecd131fb39c4a6752a57fc4bc4f289d1>
While not necessarily bizarre, DogFest – held annually in Cheshire’s Tatton Park – is definitely notable. This dog lovers festival offers a variety of activities for dogs and their owners, including agility courses, dog diving and ‘canine cabaret’ shows. There’s also a chance for dogs to participate in fun competitions, such as best trick and best dressed. The event is an all-round celebration of dogs – a great day out for both pooches and their owners in the heart of Cheshire.
35. The Fête du Citron, FranceMagSpace/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/usZuuNAVDmDbjr.A509MTw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/781970a3025a49c9a631879df21a47db>
In the French Riviera town of Menton, February is all about citrus. The Fête du Citron (translated as The Lemon Festival) celebrates the region’s famous produce with stunning sculptures and floats made entirely of lemons and oranges. The festival’s pièce de résistance is the nighttime parade, where illuminated citrus creations roll through the streets accompanied by music and fireworks. It’s a zesty celebration that attracts visitors from all over the world.
34. Duke’s Day, LuxembourgBearFotos/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Jy1mcRogiVzYqrcIFn0sSA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/696fb630a736a8ace476d5d88caac6cf>
Every June, the small town of Haro in Spain’s La Rioja region becomes the setting for an epic wine fight. Participants, armed with buckets, hoses and water guns filled with wine, drench each other in the region’s famous tipple. The event is part of a religious celebration, but today it’s just as much about soaking your friends in vino as it is about honouring the saints.
32. Venice Carnival, ItalyMeganVarner/Getty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vaQsep3wKgOl.QZu.hP40Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/f6799048425d251b70334331584dd01d>
Calcio Storico is a brutal and ancient form of football played in Florence’s Piazza Santa Croce every June. This medieval sport combines elements of football, rugby and wrestling, with teams representing different districts of Florence. It’s notoriously rough, with players often tackling each other to gain possession of the ball. Despite its violent nature, Calcio Storico is a deeply cherished tradition in Florence, and the matches are followed by parades and historical reenactments.
29. Fasnacht, SwitzerlandRnDmS/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eIIXhsZ7d6ZYzUN_YBNblw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/4ccb72d478238a4334a9dfd31e750b61>
Switzerland’s Fasnacht is a wild pre-Lenten carnival where masked revellers take to the streets for a three-day celebration of music, costumes and lantern parades. The city of Basel hosts one of the biggest and strangest versions, with participants dressed in elaborate, often eerie masks. The highlight is the ‘Morgestraich’ parade, which kicks off at 4am in complete darkness.
28. Dragobete, RomaniaDanielMihailescu/AFPGetty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/m2OJ9Ml4MVtbMFTA9Eoz4Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/8f825f2fa8d0b88dc918b7626812f149>
DanielMihailescu/AFPGetty
Dragobete, celebrated on 24 February, is Romania’s traditional ‘day of love’ – essentially the Romanian Valentine’s Day. Rooted in folklore, the festival honours Dragobete – a figure believed to bring love and happiness. Couples celebrate with dancing, singing and the gathering of spring flowers, while singles perform rituals in hopes of attracting love.
27. Walpurgisnacht, Germanyberni0004/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aUXiVAMHQNgVXfkbKKeZgg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/fa0ea01d6603a10e9b60125050662e92>
Every June, the city of Porto celebrates the Festa de São João, a lively festival in honour of Saint John the Baptist. One of the festival’s most bizarre and endearing traditions involves festival-goers hitting each other on the head with plastic hammers. The hammer taps are meant to bring good luck and are accompanied by fireworks, street parties and the release of colourful balloons.
25. The Mayor of Ock Street, England, UKKobbyDagan/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4.ueoH2eMP5bWO6duoityg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/d53b94c0bd18319b8b706bf84af8174d>
The Carnival of Binche is one of Europe’s oldest and most unusual pre-Lenten celebrations. Clowns known as Gilles take to the streets in elaborate feathered hats and wax masks, throwing oranges into the crowd. The Gilles are said to ward off evil spirits, and their strange, centuries-old rituals attract tourists from all over Europe to witness this unique spectacle.
23. La Tomatina, Spaindonvictorio/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dWJLlbVqob13A1RfS618Hg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/05cb9d1b487430118f0100691bbf4a51>
The streets of Buñol, near Valencia, turn into a red sea of tomato juice every August as thousands of participants pelt each other with overripe tomatoes. La Tomatina lasts only one hour, but the cleanup and post-fight celebrations go on for days. What started as a small food fight in 1945 has grown into one of Spain’s most famous – and messiest – festivals.
22. Fiesta de los Enharinados, SpainBearFotos/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XZm_6GQfgtuLFF0FlQVcgA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/5b367a10e228415337d1e709d116bc2a>
In the town of Ibi, Spain, residents engage in a flour fight as part of the Fiesta de los Enharinados. Dressed in military-style uniforms, participants engage in mock battles using flour, eggs and firecrackers. The town becomes a chaotic white battlefield, with residents competing to overthrow the ‘oppressive’ forces in charge. It’s a messy yet exhilarating celebration of local tradition.
21. Entroido (Carnival in Galicia), SpainXurxoLobato/Getty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/PoZDbXF8u1SdacBpZr6P8A–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/8b91e715c7597d148b195bed9315f0fc>
Galicia’s Entroido is one of Spain’s most bizarre and wild carnivals. Participants wear (slightly terrifying) masks and parade through the streets, engaging in food fights and generally roguish antics. The highlight of the festival is the ‘Trial of the Parrot’, where a giant effigy of a parrot is put on trial, found guilty and ceremoniously burned. Poor Zazu.
20. Busójárás, HungaryTimoHartikainen/Getty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/COVhK13fGEiWkLmgR.ukgA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/9b5ac6670e3fb2b0f92011947e7a4e35>
In the small Finnish town of Sonkajärvi, couples from around the world race through an obstacle course – with a twist. One partner carries the other on their back, navigating hurdles, water pools and challenging terrain. Although traditionally the man carried the woman, the race now welcomes any combination, allowing women to compete as carriers too. The fastest pair wins not only bragging rights but also the carried partner’s weight in beer. With origins loosely dating back to the 19th century, this quirky competition continues to attract adventurous duos seeking fun, teamwork and a shot at international glory.
14. Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship, Scotland, UKComposedPix/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TLueoQlk2oEqHBOse2BHKQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/308586e3741cdcfbe3d0ec0854c90d5b>
Gloucestershire’s Cooper’s Hill cheese-rolling event is exactly what it sounds like: participants chase an 8lb round of Double Gloucester cheese down a steep, grassy hill. Injuries are common, but that doesn’t stop competitors from flinging themselves headlong in pursuit of the runaway cheese. The first to reach the bottom gets to take home the coveted prize: the cheese itself.
9. World Bog Snorkelling Championship, Wales, UKMatthewHorwood/Getty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OjdEIMuucqH2L3yaqdM.HA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/206d9b39c5bc5066921638d1617dbee2>
In the small Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells, competitors don snorkels and flippers to swim two lengths of a water-filled trench in a bog. The challenge? No traditional swimming strokes are allowed. Instead participants must rely on their flippers to propel them through the muddy water. Despite the bizarre conditions, the event attracts hundreds of snorkellers every year.
8. Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival, England, UKMatthewLloyd/Getty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9Tf2wlxKfNUqQEcVOPT5xw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/432909b69871db1f4552b5486f3f4efe>
For over 25 years, the village of Kettlewell has hosted one of the UK’s most charming (albeit slightly terrifying) festivals – the Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival. Each August, villagers create scarecrows that are displayed throughout the village. The scarecrows tell stories or highlight topical themes, and visitors are encouraged to follow a trail around the village to spot them all. It’s a quirky celebration of rural life and community spirit, with proceeds going to local charities.
7. The Redhead Days, The NetherlandsBrianDowling/Getty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/sslvSfFmIfTsnazvbH01VA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/5636eae8b8df3651720ba352dba3777a>
Redheads unite each September in the Dutch city of Tilburg as thousands with locks ranging from ginger and auburn to fire-red and copper gather to celebrate their hair colour. The festival features photoshoots, art exhibitions and even a fashion show – all dedicated to redheads. What started as a small gathering has grown into a weekend-long celebration, with people from across the globe uniting to embrace their fiery locks.
6. The Padstow ‘Obby ‘Oss, England, UKJeffJMitchell/Getty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/W_JqSRbSQLALlypdmJVvkA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/5b7244d7fac4d1d6a09b87cf2ab2e813>
The Burry Man Parade is one of Scotland’s oldest and strangest festivals. A man dressed head to toe in sticky burrs parades through the streets of South Queensferry, believed to bring good fortune to the town. The Burry Man, covered in over 10,000 burrs, walks for nearly 11 hours, stopping only to take sips of whisky through a straw – an ancient ritual preserved through centuries.
4. Day of the Geese, SpainMarkBullimore/Getty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/NOElICtmgW1nczMdFdLSfQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/ec4b451af4d0057251b3a8667785bed6>
Held annually in the small village of Congham, Norfolk, the World Snail Racing Championships is a slow-paced but highly competitive event. Around 200 snails, marked with numbered stickers, race along a 13-inch (33cm) course. The first snail to cross the finish line is crowned the champion – it’s an unmissable event for fans of incredibly unconventional sports – or, you know, snails.
2. The Baby Jumping Festival, SpainSamueldeRoman/Getty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wIEgQaAXvPLuiDbxYFm.Zg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/49812848784dc533d39bf6978b74c175>
In Castrillo de Murcia, near Burgos, the annual Baby Jumping Festival (also known as El Colacho) is held as part of the Catholic Corpus Christi celebrations. Men dressed as the devil leap over rows of newborn babies laid on mattresses in the street. The tradition, dating back to the 1600s, is believed to cleanse the infants of original sin and bring good fortune. Side note: no babies have been harmed in the jumping tradition.
1. World Worm Charming Championships, England, UKRichardBaker/Getty src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/t5l6RY7TpslFPwLbzpF1xw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/dab7bd01c6b1482946745a917e614aac>
And the strangest European festival? In our opinion, it doesn’t get more bizarre than this. Held at a primary school in Willaston, England, the annual World Worm Charming Championships sees participants compete to extract the most amount of worms out of a patch of soil. Competitors aren’t allowed to dig for worms – instead, they have to lure them out of the ground using only vibrations or music. The event dates back to the 1980s, with the current record for most worms charmed in a 30-minute period standing at 567, set by Sophie Smith in 2009.
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Publish date : 2024-10-29 08:45:00
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