WorldVerse
Imagine cheering as people hurl 300,000 tomatoes at each other—or leap over babies for “good luck”! Yeah, you read that right. Around the world, there are festivals so wonderfully weird they sound like something out of a fever dream. Yet, every year, thousands flock to join the madness. From food fights to fertility parades, here are five jaw-dropping celebrations that prove humans are gloriously unhinged. Buckle up—this is gonna get wild.
1. La Tomatina, Spain: The World’s Biggest Food Fight
Every August, the quiet town of Buñol, Spain, turns into a sloppy, red-soaked warzone. We’re talking La Tomatina—a festival where over 300,000 tomatoes get chucked in a massive, messy free-for-all. Picture this: 20,000+ people, locals and tourists alike, drenched head-to-toe in squished fruit, laughing their faces off. It started back in the 1940s over some petty argument (because of course it did), and now it’s a global sensation.
What’s cool? It’s surprisingly eco-friendly. Those tomatoes are overripe rejects, unfit for sale, so they’re basically destined for compost anyway. The streets get hosed down after, and the tomato acid leaves everything weirdly sparkling. Would I join? Heck yes—just don’t wear white.
2. El Colacho, Spain: Baby-Jumping for Good Vibes
Spain’s back with another “what did I just read?” moment. Welcome to El Colacho in Castrillo de Murcia, where men dressed as devils—yellow suits, masks, the whole deal—literally leap over rows of newborn babies laid out on mattresses. This has been a thing since the 1600s, supposedly to chase away evil spirits and bless the little ones with luck.
Before you panic, no babies are harmed—these guys are pros at mid-air hurdling. Still, the sight of a devil-costumed dude soaring over infants is peak “only in Spain” energy. It happens every June, and honestly, I’m torn between “that’s insane” and “sign me up.”
3. Kanamara Matsuri, Japan: The NSFW Fertility Party
Okay, deep breath—this one’s a little spicy. In Kawasaki, Japan, the Kanamara Matsuri (aka the “Penis Festival”) rolls out every spring, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Giant phallic floats parade through the streets, people snack on ahem anatomically correct candy, and everyone’s there to celebrate fertility, safe sex, and STI awareness. It’s tied to a legend about a demon-slaying steel phallus (yup), but today it’s a cheeky mix of reverence and hilarity.
The vibe is oddly wholesome despite the subject matter—think less “awkward” and more “let’s party for a good cause.” I’d go just for the photo ops—imagine the group chat reactions.
4. Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand: A Feast for the Furry
Over in Lopburi, Thailand, the monkeys don’t just crash the Monkey Buffet Festival—they’re the VIPs. Every November, locals stack up towers of fruits, veggies, and sweets as a big “thank you” to the resident macaques, who supposedly bring good fortune (and tourists). It’s a chaotic, adorable spectacle—monkeys swinging from tables, munching bananas, occasionally snagging a bystander’s hat.
The humans barely get a bite, but that’s the point: it’s all for the furry guests. If you love animals and don’t mind a little mischief, this one’s a must-see. Pro tip: guard your snacks.
5. Cheese Rolling, England: Chasing Dairy Down a Hill
Ever thought, “I’d risk a broken leg for cheese”? Welcome to the Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling in Gloucestershire, England. Every May, a wheel of Gloucester cheese gets yeeted down a stupidly steep hill, and dozens of brave (or reckless) souls chase it, tumbling like human pinballs. The prize? That cheese. The cost? Dignity, and maybe a trip to the ER—sprains and fractures are basically tradition.
It’s raw, ridiculous, and so very British. Spectators cheer, cameras roll, and I’m over here wondering how to train for this without actually dying. Anyone got a spare wheel of cheddar?
Ready to Brave the Weird?
These festivals are proof that humanity’s creativity knows no bounds—whether it’s splatting tomatoes, jumping babies, or chasing cheese, we’ll find a way to party. Here’s a fun fact to leave you with: over 20,000 tourists flood La Tomatina every year. Would you brave the squish—or stick to ketchup packets? Let me know in the comments, because I’m still deciding if I’m team tomato or team monkey.
#OnlyInSpain #FestivalMadness #WorldVerse
