Weird & Quirky

air-guitar-worlds-finlandAir Guitar Worlds, Finland
Rock and Roll Fantasy

The Annual Air Guitar World Championship Contest, held at the Oulu Music Video Festival in Finland, invites the most animated and talented air strumming, finger tapping, pelvis thrusting air guitarists from around the world to show off their skills. (see more)

albuquerque-balloon-fiesta-usaAlbuquerque Balloon Fiesta (USA)
A Floating Festival

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta  is literally a floating festival celebrating balloon flight! It's hard to imagine a more colorful spectacle with 700 rainbow balloons taking flight over the southwest deserts of New Mexico. (see more)

ati-atihan-philippinesAti-Atihan, Philippines
Island Traditions

Ati-Atihan takes place the third Sunday of January in the small town of Kalibo in Akalan, Philippines. The three-day festival features traditional songs, dance, and colorful dress► of the native people as part of this energetic festival dating back to the 13th century. (see more)

battle-of-the-oranges-italyBattle of the Oranges, Italy
Off with His Head!

Beginning Sunday, and for the days leading up to Fat Tuesday in March, an epic battle takes place over the streets of Ivrea in Northern Italy; an event steeped in history, The Battle of Oranges is the largest food fight in the country. (see more)

bay-to-breakers-race-usaBay to Breakers Race (USA)
A San Francisco Costumed Tradition

This year, San Francisco celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Bay to Breakers foot race combining sport and spectacle unlike anything else! (see more)

beer-can-regatta-australiaBeer Can Regatta, Australia
Beer Recycling Pirates on the High Seas

Every year in winter (depending on the tide), the people of Darwin, Australia build boats and other nautical vessels made completely out of empty beer cans and take to the sea. The event brings thousands to the shores of Midil Beach in this Northern Territory city, considered one of the most isolated spots in the world, eager to watch these fun races. (see more)

beltane-fire-festival-scotlandBeltane Fire Festival, Scotland
Ritual Fire

The May Queen, Green Man, Red Chaos and White Order welcome spring in this pagan ritual held in Edinburgh's Calton Hill. It's a modern reincarnation of the ancient Gaelic celebration of Beltane. "Beltane" means bright sacred fire in the ancient language. (see more)

bestival-ukBestival, UK
Fancy Dress Fest

This boutique festival is bit more trendy and indie than the Isle of Wright festival. The Bestival won the UK festival awards for “best major festival” of 2010, so they must be on to something. (see more)

bloodstock-ukBloodstock, UK
Posh Mosh

Heavy Metal's take on Woodstock. A weekend in early August is the UK's largest metal gathering. Bloodstock throws both indoor and outdoor events. The roots come from the first Bloodstock held indoors in 2001. (see more)

bob-marleys-birthday-jamaicaBob Marley's Birthday, Jamaica
Jah Rastafari!

Every February 6th, in the midst of Jamaica’s February Reggae month, the town of Nine Mile, Bob Marley’s birthplace, celebrates the life and work of the iconic singer. This celebration attracts music fans and Marley lovers to the small town to enjoy Reggae music and a laid-back party vibe. (see more)

boom-festival-portugalBoom Festival, Portugal
Things That Go Boom in the Night

The Boom Festival in Portugal blends music and other arts into one great festival. The Boom Festival only takes place every two years; so keep checking the website for details on the 2012 festival. (see more)

boryeong-mud-festival-south-koreaBoryeong Mud Festival, South Korea
Get Down and Dirty in the Name of Beauty

Korea’s small beachside town of Boryeong wanted to let the world know about the therapeutic qualities of the mud on its shores. So it decided to invent this dirty festival that showcases this muddy town. It’s becoming popular in its 14th year with over 2.2 million visitors last year! (see more)

bun-bang-fai-rocket-festival-laosBun Bang Fai Rocket Festival, Laos
Rockets and Fertility

The Bun Bang Fai festival is a wild fertility celebration occurring every May in Laos and Thailand. You can expect drinking, dancing, cross dressing and phallus shaped rocket launching of epic proportions.► (see more)

burning-man-nevada-usaBurning Man, Nevada (USA)
Burn Baby Burn!

For just over a week each year, nearly 50,000 people gather in the Black Rock Desert, 127 miles outside of Reno, Nevada to live in a Mad Max-style community encouraging radical expression and self-reliance. Participants freely express themselves in every conceivable way including art projects, gifts, performances, themed camps, informational workshops, and music that attracts top DJs from around the world. (see more)

byobw-big-wheels-race-usaBYOBW Big Wheels Race (USA)
One Weird Race on the World’s Crookedest Street

Easter Sunday might convey images of hot cross buns, Easter egg hunting and church. But not in San Francisco as every Easter Sunday, there is a race of epic proportions down the steepest and crookedest street in the city. (see more)

camp-bisco-new-york-usaCamp Bisco, New York (USA)
The Disco Biscuits Present: Camp Bisco

Jam band The Disco Biscuits hosts the annual Camp Bisco festival in the small town of Mariaville, featuring a diverse musical lineup and an infamous party raging into the wee hours. (see more)

cannabis-cup-amsterdamCannabis Cup, Amsterdam
Puff Puff, Give Give

Each November, marijuana enthusiasts from worldwide gather in Amsterdam to vote on the best strain of grass at the High Times Cannabis Cup. Started in 1987, the competition has grown beyond the primary event to include music, entertainment, and categories including best new product, best glass, and best hash. The consumption of marijuana, be it smoked, eaten, or vaporized, is legal in Amsterdam and allows the Cup to exist. (see more)

castells-de-tarragona-spainCastells de Tarragona, Spain
Human Towers

Each September, men and women climb on top of each other’s shoulders and reach for the sky as part of the “Concurs de Castells,” human towers competition, in Tarragona, Spain during the Santa Tecla Festival. (see more)

cheese-rolling-festival-ukCheese Rolling Festival, UK
The Cheesiest Festival in the World

The premise is quite simple: climb Cooper’s Hill, the steepest in town. Take a delicious local “Double Gloucestershire” giant cheese wheel and roll it down the hill. Add drunken participants and roll them down the hill after the cheese►. The person to catch the cheese wins (the cheese) and hilarity ensues. The cheese is fast, weighs about 8 pounds and has been known to roll at speeds of over 70 mph! (see more)

cheung-chau-bun-festival-chinaCheung Chau Bun Festival, China
Bun Snatching!

The Cheung Chau Bun Festival in Hong Kong celebrates traditional Chinese culture. This Taoist ceremony draws tens of thousands of attendees from far and wide, filling the streets with tantalizing sights, sounds, smells, and flavors. (see more)

cinetrip-sparty-budapestCinetrip Sparty, Budapest
Rock the Sparty

Budapest is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and lies on the banks of the great Danube River. It is blessed with abundant geothermic activity and mineral rich waters. Some the resulting hot springs have existed since the fall of the Roman Empire and have a rich history and important role in this medieval city. (see more)

comic-con-usaComic-Con (USA)
Where Superheros go to party

For 4 days in July, the San Diego Convention Center overflows with more than 100,000 comic and pop-culture enthusiasts for the largest comic book convention in North America: The San Diego Comic-Con. (see more)

dia-de-los-muertos-mexicoDia de los Muertos, Mexico
Celebrate the Living by Honoring the Dead

For Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Mexican families pay respect to the dead and welcome them with celebration and gifts of food and drink►. (see more)

el-colacho-festival-spainEl Colacho Festival, Spain
Leaping Lucifers the Spanish Baby Jumping Festival

One of the weirdest festivals in the world dates back to 1620 in Castrolillo de Murica, Spain. In this traditional celebration costumed devils jump over infant babies who are lined up on mattresses in the middle of the street. Patrons gather round to cheer, cringe and breathe collective sighs of relief as the babies are cleared from harm’s way. This bizarre event is the culmination of the annual El Colacho festival, which takes place over several days in late May/ early June and is thought to be a mixture of Spanish folklore and religion, though its exact origin is unknown. (see more)

electric-daisy-carnival-usaElectric Daisy Carnival, (USA)
A Festival to Rave About

Electric Daisy Carnival is America’s answer to European electronic music festivals. Since 1997, this music festival has been giving thousands a chance to dance into the night during the last weekend in June. (see more)

electric-forest-usaElectric Forest (USA)
Lightning in a Forest

The Electric Forest is held in an enchanted woodland near Rothbury, Michigan filled with lights, spirits and electric beats by some of the most talented electronic wizards of the wooden realm. (see more)

fallas-de-valencia-spainFallas de Valencia, Spain
Fire in the Streets

Every March 15th-19th, the streets of Valencia, Spain erupt with fire as part of the Fallas celebration. The festival dates back to the Middle Ages when excess goods were burned in the equivalent to a Spring cleaning. Today’s rendition takes a more grandiose approach paying homage to Spain’s history and culture with spectacular displays of pyrotechnics. (see more)

fantasy-fest-key-west-usaFantasy Fest, Key West (USA)
10 Days of Halloween: Trick or Treat

For the week building up to Halloween, Key West hosts the raucous Fantasy Fest► when the streets overflow with costumes and fun. Enjoy outrageous parades, masquerade balls, costume contests, drag queen pageants, live music, and even pirate-themed parties around every corner! (see more)

festival-in-the-desert-maliFestival in the Desert, Mali
African Dunes, Traditional Tunes

The Festival in the Desert will fill the dunes of Essakane, Mali with the sounds of traditional Taureg music this January 6th-8th, 2011. The music festival, held about two hours south of Timbuktu, has gained popularity following a performance by the world-famous Tinariwen in 2001 and the filming of a documentary in 2003. (see more)

festival-of-lights-thailandFestival of Lights, Thailand
Marvel at a Sea of Floating Sky Lanterns

It might be hard to imagine a more beautiful cultural festival. Thousands of sky lanterns (miniature hot-air balloons) are released in unison into the night sky of Thailand during the full moon of the nation's 12th lunar month. It resembles a sea of floating jellyfish on fire, some of them bursting into flames and falling like comets in the night. (see more)

festival-of-near-death-spainFestival of Near Death, Spain
Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme

This is another one of Spain’s strange festivals that celebrates the lucky few who have narrowly escaped death. Those who have had a near death experience in the past year climb in coffins and are carried to the church of Santa Marta de Ribarteme ►which honors Mary Magdalene’s sister who is the saint of resurrection. (see more)

frozen-dead-guy-days-usaFrozen Dead Guy Days (USA)
Fun From Beyond – I’m Dead Serious

Each March, the town of Nederland, Colorado plays host to one of the most bizarre cultural festivals around- the Frozen Dead Guy Days! (see more)

full-moon-party-thailandFull Moon Party, Thailand
Full Moon Full-on Party

Each month, the Thai island of Koh Pha Ngan plays host to a full moon party of epic proportion►. More than 20,000 travelers flock to the island each month to enjoy a long night of dancing and partying in this picturesque setting. (see more)

fusion-festival-germanyFusion Festival, Germany
An Abandoned Airfield Comes to Life with Art for All

In the northeast of Germany, the Fusion Festival brings the former Russian military airfield of Rechlin-Lärz back to life with a celebration of art and music. (see more)

gay-pride-new-york-usaGay Pride, New York (USA)
The Most Fabulous Parade in the Galaxy

Gay Pride Week culminates with the spectacular Gay Pride Parade. While New York is a sparkling center of the Gay Pride events, cities worldwide have their own celebrations. The most famous celebrations are in San Francisco and Sao Paulo, Brazil (which is the rainbow heavyweight with over 2.5 million attendees). (see more)

gilroy-garlic-festival-usaGilroy Garlic Festival (USA)
Vampires you have been warned

The Gilroy Garlic Festival  provides music, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, Miss Gilroy Garlic, and of course tons of garlic-infused foods at this three-day event. This July 29th-31st, 2011 over 100,000 attendees are expected to sample treats featuring the stinking rose at this Northern California food festival►. (see more)

gnaoua-festival-moroccoGnaoua Festival, Morocco
Get Lost in a Trance at Gnaoua

This June will mark the 14th anniversary of Gnaoua World Music Festival in the coastal town of Essaouira, Morocco. (see more)

hadaka-matsuri-japanHadaka Matsuri, Japan
Japan’s Naked Festival

The Japanese city of Okayama will host the Kounomiya Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Festival) on February 15th, 2011. Throughout Japan, Hadaka Matsuris often take place during summer and winter months in cities around the country. These festivals are said to have originated in Okayama and if you can make the trip you’ll find out why. (see more)

halloween-worldwideHalloween, Worldwide
Trick or Treat

Halloween is a world-famous holiday celebrating the macabre and the supernatural, most vigorously observed in the United States. It happens every year on October 31st. The are many customs and traditions associated with this old holiday including carving pumpkins, trick or treating and costume parties. Halloween’s roots have been traced to an old Irish Celtic holiday and to the Roman Empire. (see more)

harbin-ice-festival-chinaHarbin Ice Festival, China
Ice, Ice Baby

During January of every year the city of Harbin transforms into a winter wonderland► filled with castles, towers, and sculptures crafted from ice and snow. The festival was started in 1985 and lasts for around a month in the dead of winter. This festival along with Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway's Ski Festival make up the largest such events in the world. (see more)

haro-wine-festival-spainHaro Wine Festival, Spain
Bota-licious

Each year on June 29th the small town of Haro, Spain hosts the Haro Wine Festival and wine battle. (see more)

highlands-sing-sing-pngHighlands Sing-sing, PNG
Go Tribal and Sing-sing

Papua New Guinea is one of the world’s last wild frontiers. Impressive natural geography  and isolation has resulted in a modern primitive culture with over 700 individual tribes and the largest number of distinct languages in the world. Many tribes from around the country gather in August to put on an impressive display of tradition in PNG’s third largest city, Mount Hagen located in the Western Highlands. (see more)

holi-festival-indiaHoli Festival, India
The Most Colorful Party in the World

If you happen to find yourself in India, Sri Lanka or Nepal during the last lunar cycle of the winter called Phalguna (usually between February to March), you just might get caught in a rainbow battlefield. Every imaginable type of brightly colored dye and ink is thrown in an all-out war in the form of powder, dye or water balloons. Don’t wear any clothes you care about! It gets massively crowded and women are urged to use extra caution in the wild streets. It’s a very photogenic scene but be warned: I lost a camera to a paint-filled water balloon on the streets of Delhi. (see more)

hounen-matsuri-japanHounen Matsuri, Japan
The Penis Fertility Festival

If you’re looking for a celebration circulating around the penis, you’re in luck! Every year on March 15, Honen Matsuri (Harvest Festival) takes place in Komaki, Japan. (see more)

icarus-cup-free-flying-festivalIcarus Cup Free-Flying Festival
The Sky is Falling!

Travel to Saint-Hilaire du Touvet in the southeast of France to witness an eclectic assortment of flying and falling at the Icarus Cup Free-Flying Festival►. The festival borrows its name from the Greek myth of Icarus, who burned his wings whilst flying too close to the sun, attracting some 8000 human aviators every Fall. (see more)

inti-raymi-peruInti Raymi, Peru
Worship the Sun, Incan Style

The Inti Raymi Festival takes place just a few miles outside the popular tourist destination of Cuzco, Peru and recreates a traditional Inca Empire celebration coinciding with the Southern hemisphere Winter Solstice. Today, the scripted ceremony honoring the Sun takes place each year on June 24th and is the second largest festival in South America with over than 100,000 visitors. (see more)

jamcruise-caribbeanJamcruise, Caribbean
Festival at Sea

Jam Cruise combines the luxury of a cruise line with a roving music festival. The festival sets sail the beginning of January from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and takes festival-goers to beautiful locations in the Bahamas, Central America, and Mexico. (see more)

kanamara-matsuri-japanKanamara Matsuri, Japan
“Festival of the Steel Phallus" Stands Up to the Hype

During the first week of April, the streets of Kawasaki, Japan put penis on parade as part of a festival dating back to the early 1600s. (see more)

kazantip-ukrainekaZantip, Ukraine
Welcome to the Party Republic

This is the biggest electronic music festival in Eastern Europe. This festival started as a big air competition and party for kitesurfers who enjoy the good wind and long, sandy beaches of the Black Sea. (see more)

kumbh-mela-indiaKumbh Mela, India
The World’s Largest Gathering

This is the largest single gathering of humanity in the world. Every 3 years, Hindus gather in the tens of millions on the banks of the Ganges,► the river that according to legend, collected the drops of immortality that fell from the kumbh (pitcher of life) in ancient times. The gathering is centered in Allahbad, Hardiwar.  Take a crowded bus or train from New Delhi (DEL). (see more)

la-tomatina-spainLa Tomatina, Spain
Flying Tomatoes in this Wild Food Fight

The last Wednesday in August, the streets of Valencia, Spain turn into a violent mess of oozing red for La Tomantina, the world’s biggest tomato fight.► (see more)

lightning-in-a-bottle-usaLightning in a Bottle (USA)
Southern California Lightning Storm

Lightning in a Bottle Arts and Music Festival is a 4-day electronic dance party set in beautiful Southern California over Memorial Day weekend in May. (see more)

lollapalooza-usaLollapalooza, (USA)
The Godfather of American Festivals

Perry Farrell founded the first Lollapalooza in 1991 as a farewell tour for Jane's Addiction. It was also envisioned as a traveling roadshow featuring big names, while showcasing the up and coming. It even featured Shaolin monks and a freakshow. (see more)

lucidity-festival-usaLucidity Festival, USA
You Must Be Dreaming

This April, the first incarnation of Lucidity will fill the mountains of Santa Barbara, California with art and music as part of an “open-source” festival calling on the participants to help shape the experience. (see more)

mardi-gras-new-orleans-usaMardi Gras, New Orleans (USA)
Fat Tuesday

New Orleans’ Mardi Gras has become an iconic celebration taking place during the weeks surrounding Fat Tuesday. Parades fill the city as this party overflows beyond Bourbon Street and the French Quarter►. (see more)

masquerade-carnival-veniceMasquerade Carnival, Venice
Moonlight Masquerade

Venice, Italy celebrates the Carnival season leading up to Ash Wednesday with a historic and elegant masquerade for the ages. Expect to be entertained by music, theater, and a water parade among other cultural events. Traditional masks play a central role► in this ancient celebration. There are three types of masks typified in the Italian masquerade. (see more)

molten-iron-throwing-festival-chinaMolten Iron Throwing Festival, China
DaShuHua Tree Flower Festival

No money for fireworks, no problem for creative locals in Nuanquan, China who discovered a new way to make fire explode in celebration of the annual Lantern Festival. (see more)

monkey-buffet-thailandMonkey Buffet, Thailand
Monkey Madness

The monkeys of Lopburi, a central provence of Thailand, are considered to be direct descendants of Hanuman the mischievous monkey god who made Lopburi his kingdom. (see more)

moon-festival-chinaMoon Festival, China
Moonbeams and Mooncakes

The Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival dates is one of the most important Chinese holidays of the year.► The festival is spread throughout the country, as well Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. (see more)

moscow-high-heel-raceMoscow High Heel Race
100 meters and dashing!


naadam-festival-mongoliaNaadam Festival, Mongolia
The Great Mongolian Games

Each July 11th-13th, Mongolia celebrates the national holiday of Naadam with a countrywide sports festival. (see more)

naga-fireballs-thailandNaga Fireballs, Thailand
Great Balls of Fire

In Thailand and Laos, October’s full moon brings mysterious balls of fire that shoot up from the Mekong River and burst into the sky. This centuries-old phenomenon gained wider renown in the 1990s and now thousands of people gather for this unusual spectacle at the Bang Fai Phaya Nark Festival every Fall. (see more)

nature-one-germanyNature One, Germany
Go Wild – Freak Out

Germany’s Nature One festival is an epic open-aired electronic music festival where you can dance from sundown to sunrise the first weekend of August. The festival grounds are located at a decommissioned US missile base and have party areas such as the Century Circus, Open Air Floor and the Groovalistic Garden. A secondary “festival” takes place at the campgrounds where everyone seems to be a DJ. (see more)

night-of-the-radishes-mexicoNight of the Radishes, Mexico
A Radish-ing Food Festival

Oaxaca, Mexico has celebrated the Night of Radishes each December 23rd since 1897. This cultural food event puts elaborate radish sculptures on display for thousands of onlookers. (see more)

night-of-the-witches-germanyNight of the Witches, Germany
Dance Until Dawn on Witch Mountain

Walpurgis Night or Walpurgisnacht is a festival to experience yourself and a springtime tradition in Northern and Central Europe. Finland, Estonia, Sweden and Germany all have their own variations of this mysterious holiday. Much folklore lies around the date of May 1st as a known time for witches and wizards to convene with the devil in dance around the fire know as the Hexentanzplatz or “witches’ dance”. (see more)

nowhere-spainNowhere, Spain
Find Yourself in the Middle of Nowhere

Each summer since 2004, the small Nowhere Festival has brought the principles of Burning Man to Northeastern Spain. The location is kept a secret until just before the event, so keep checking the website www.goingnowhere.org to see where in the Spanish desert it will be this year. (see more)

oil-wrestling-festival-turkeyOil Wrestling Festival, Turkey
Turkish Delights: Oil Wrestling

The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling festival near Edirne, Turkey delights onlookers with a sporting event that dates back to 1346. Participants cover themselves in olive oil and wrestle as part of what is said to be the longest running sports competition in the world. (see more)

onbashira-festival-japanOnbashira Festival, Japan
Got Wood?

Japanese men ride dangerously giant logs as part of the Onbashira Festival once every six years in Nagano for one of the most outrageous traditions on earth! (see more)

paraty-mud-carnival-brazilParaty Mud Carnival, Brazil
The “Bloco de Lama”, A Mudslinging Carnival

Get your mud on at the Paraty Mud Carnival in Brazil! Officially named Bloco de Lama, this is part of the annual Paraty Carnival. Partiers adorn themselves with thick mud and chant “Uga uga uga! Ra ra ahhh!” along Jabaquara Beach and march into the historic district of town, where the rest of the carnival takes place. It’s quite a sight to see hundreds of mud people rocking out in this colonial beach town. (see more)

paris-techno-paradeParis Techno Parade
Techno Tour de Force

The first Techno Parade originated in 1998 as a visual street demonstration of the power of electronic music. French DJ superstar Bob Sinclair has played an integral role in the parade since the beginning. (see more)

pushkar-camel-fair-indiaPushkar Camel Fair, India
Two Humps Up!

Each year at the time of the Kartik Prunima full moon (usually in October or November) 50,000 camels migrate to Pushkar to be traded, along with thousands more horses, cows, goats, and sheep. For centuries, pilgrims and farmers have come from around India to this ancient holy city for the world’s largest camel fair. (see more)

rainbow-gatherings-worldwideRainbow Gatherings, Worldwide
Hippies Worldwide Rejoice

This year “someplace in the state of Washington” a Rainbow Gathering will form a temporary open and free community built on consensus in the early part of July. Upwards of 30,000 “non-members” are expected to participate in this year’s gathering. Though no official rules, structure, or leaders exist, participants arrive as early as a month beforehand to set up “Seed Camp” and prepare for the Forest Service permitted gathering. (see more)

rainbow-serpent-australiaRainbow Serpent, Australia
Shake, Rattle, and Slither

Rainbow Serpent Festival is a famous electronic music festival held in Beaufort, Victoria over the long Australia Day Weekend. The music is primarily psych-trance and minimalist techno, though dub, trance, and house music sneak into the lineup. There are over 100 acts to choose from to keep you dancing late into the night. (see more)

redneck-games-usaRedneck Games (USA)
Olympic Hick

The Summer Redneck Games of East Dublin, Georgia may have began as a joke, but they have grown into one of the most fun and silliest festivals taking place this year. (see more)

reggae-on-the-river-usaReggae on the River, (USA)
Roots Rock Reggae

In it's 27th year Reggae on the River is back in it's great location in Northern California. It's always been set on the banks of the gorgeous Eel River in Garberville California. However there is a new location at the Benbow Lake Recreational Area which is beautiful too. (see more)

rouketopolemos-greeceRouketopolemos, Greece
Easter Mass Rocket War

Looking for a way to break tradition this Easter? Consider venturing to the town of Vrontados in Chios, Greece for the spectacular Rocket Festival. The parishes of Panagia Erythiani and Agios Markos fill the skies of this Northern Greek island with tens of thousands of handmade rockets in an unique Easter celebration. (see more)

running-of-the-bulls-spainRunning of the Bulls, Spain
San Fermin, Run for your LIfe

Early in the morning every July 6th, crowds dressed in all white with red sashes and bandannas await the sound of rockets in the narrow streets of Pamplona, Spain. When the rockets fire, chaos ensues as one of the maddest foot races in the world begins.► (see more)

santacon-santanarchySantacon - Santanarchy
Ho Ho Hos

The legend of Santa Claus comes from the mythology of the nordic Northern Europe. Today cultures all over the world celebrate the legend of a jolly old fat man with a flying sleigh and reigndeer who travels the world on Christmas Eve to bring presents to all good boys and girls. (see more)

sapporo-snow-festival-japanSapporo Snow Festival, Japan
Let it Snow!

Sapporo, Japan has hosted a great winter Olympics and is the capital of Hokkaido the northern most island. Every winter, about two million people come to Sapporo to see the hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures.  They line Odori Park,the grounds at Community Dome Tsudome, and the main street in Susukino . (see more)

secret-garden-party-ukSecret Garden Party, UK
Find Some Magic in a Secret Garden Party

The Secret Garden Party outside of Huntingdon, England brings an intimate arts festival to life in the East Anglia countryside. The festival experience builds on a combination of themed camps promising you’ll be “edified, enlightened, and enthralled” by camps including Flirt Factory, Dance Off, and Kissing Den. (see more)

solstice-at-stonehenge-ukSolstice at Stonehenge, UK
Begin the longest day of the year at Stonehenge

Thousands worship the Summer Solstice on June 21st at the ancient historical and mythological stone sculptures of Wiltshire County, England to watch sunrise at Stonehenge. (see more)

star-trek-convention-usaStar Trek Convention (USA)
Live Long and Prosper

Beam yourself up to the Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas this August. Creation Entertainment produces the four-day convention as a chance for the biggest fans to celebrate their love for Star Trek and meet their favorite actors, writers, and directors.  (see more)

street-parade-switzerlandStreet Parade, Switzerland
Uber Street Dance Party!

Zurich’s Street Parade will attract over a million people to dance in the streets at Europe’s largest techno-parade. (see more)

sturgis-motorcycle-ride-usaSturgis Motorcycle Ride (USA)
Harley Riders Unite for the Mother of all Rides

The Sturgis Motorcycle Ride brings over half a million bikers to the Black Hills of South Dakota for a motorcycle rally spanning the first full week of August. Started as a small single race event in 1938, Sturgis experienced multiple waves of expansion before becoming the behemoth event it is today. The rally gained notoriety for its highly-entertaining races and stunts in the early years. Today, the rally brings out families in search of a ride and a good time. Check out this video of the 2010 event.► (see more)

summer-in-ibizaSummer in Ibiza
Party Island

Looking for a good time? Well hop on a flight to the Mediterranean Spanish Island of Ibiza. (see more)

sziget-hungarySziget, Hungary
Get Sziggy with it

The Sziget Music Festival has become one of the premiere summer music festivals in Europe. Sziget means “island” in Hungarian and over 100,000 eager festival-goers travel to Óbudai-sziget in the Danube to rock out and dance to some great music. Sziget has been described as "an electronically amplified, warped amusement park that has nothing to do with reality" or Europe’s answer to Burning Man. (see more)

thaipusam-indiaThaipusam, India
Offerings on the Edge

Each year, on the full moon of the 10th month of the Hindu calendar, thousands make the journey to the southern Indian city of Palani for Thaipusam for the chance to have a wish granted by Lord Subramanya. Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries with Tamil Hindi populations celebrate this bizarre holiday. (see more)

tomorrowland-belgiumTomorrowland, Belgium
Dance Party of Tomorrow

"Yesterday is History, Today is a Gift, Tomorrow is a Mystery" (see more)

ufo-festival-usaUFO Festival (USA)
An Out of this World Festival

The Roswell UFO Incident of 1947 remains a huge mystery for devotees of UFO lore. Allegedly a UFO crashed near the town, leading to an elaborate government cover-up. The town of Roswell is world-renowned for its otherworldly vibe and has a 3-day festival each summer to celebrate the anniversary of the crash. (see more)

valentines-pillow-fight-usaValentines Pillow Fight (USA)
World’s Largest Pillow Fight

Saint Valentine’s Day was established in AD 496, named after a Christian martyr. The myth has flourished over time and interpretations of love, hearts and arrow-slinging winged babies called Cupid are the most well-known modern day myths. Religious controversy around the world has come with this holiday and the Catholic church banned it in 1960. Learn more about the history of Valentine's Day here (Youtube)► (see more)

vegetarian-festival-thailandVegetarian Festival, Thailand
Delicious Food and Self-Mutilation

For 10 days during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar (usually during October), all of Thailand celebrates the Vegetarian Festival. Locals of Chinese ancestry and tourists alike enjoy a wide variety of vegetarian Thai food, in hopes of good fortune and spiritual purification. (see more)

vienna-recordia-austriaVienna Recordia, Austria
A World Record Festival

The annual Guinness Book of World Records competition takes places in Vienna, Austria each Fall inside the oldest amusement park in the world. Prater Park has hosted the event since 2004. The organizers welcome all as either a witness or participant. You must register in advance if you wish to make or break a world record of your own. (see more)

voodoo-new-orleans-usaVoodoo, New Orleans (USA)
Vood-you Like to Go to Voodoo?

Voodoo Experience, or simply Voodoo, is a 3-day music extravaganza held on the weekend nearest Halloween (October 31st) in New Orleans, Louisiana. (see more)

water-festival-thailandWater Festival, Thailand
Thai Water Fight!

The Songkran Water Festival in Thailand is a nation-wide water fight held in the name of spiritual cleansing and prosperity. The festival’s date formerly corresponded with the New Year of many Southeast Asian nations’ calendars. Now it’s set as a national holiday for April 13th-15th each year. (see more)

wife-carrying-championshipsWife-Carrying Championships
Carrying your Spouse's Weight

The ancient tradition of wife carrying has many different names and appears to have originated in Sonkajärvi, Finland.  (see more)

winter-festival-new-zealandWinter Festival, New Zealand
Quirky Fun in the Snow

Winter sports enthusiasts and party lovers should not miss the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival in New Zealand. This June festival is the perfect way to kick off a snowy season in the Southern Hemisphere, perfectly combining sports and fun-filled activities. (see more)

yamayaki-grass-burning-japanYamayaki Grass Burning, Japan
Fire on the Mountain

This event commemorates an ancient battle between feuding monks that resulted in an entire mountain being burned. This is a sacred event and beautiful to watch. The grass hills of Mt. Wakakusa-yama in Nara are set on fire ►with a sacred flame from the Kasuga Taisha shrine, which burns for about 30 minutes and is followed by fireworks.  (see more)