One of the great joys of travel is experiencing the rich tapestry of cultural traditions around the world.

Festivals are a unique window into these traditions, often blending history, religion, and community in fascinating ways.

Some festivals, however, stand out for their sheer strangeness. From bizarre food fights to peculiar races, these unique celebrations offer a glimpse into the quirky side of human creativity. Let’s have a quick shifty.

La Tomatina (Buñol, Spain)

La Tomatina is an annual event that takes place on the last Wednesday of August in the small town of Buñol, Spain. The festival involves thousands of participants throwing overripe tomatoes at each other, turning the streets into a sea of red pulp. Originally started in 1945 as a spontaneous food fight among locals, La Tomatina has grown into an internationally renowned event, drawing thrill-seekers and tomato enthusiasts from all over the globe.

Boryeong Mud Festival (Boryeong, South Korea)

Each year in July, the Boryeong Mud Festival invites visitors to enjoy the therapeutic properties of the region's mineral-rich mud. Festival-goers flock to Daecheon Beach to partake in mud wrestling, mud sliding, and mud painting. The celebration culminates in a massive mud pool party complete with live music, food, and fireworks. This messy yet exhilarating event is a favourite among both locals and international tourists.

Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling (Gloucestershire, England)

In this peculiar annual event, participants chase a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down the steep, grassy slope of Cooper's Hill. The first person to cross the finish line after the cheese wins the coveted prize - the cheese itself. Despite the potential for injury, this bizarre and thrilling race attracts daredevils from around the world, eager to take on the challenge and perhaps leave with a wheel of cheese in hand.

Nagoro Scarecrow Festival (Nagoro, Japan)

Nagoro, a small village in Japan, has gained international attention for its unique scarecrow inhabitants. With a dwindling population, local artist Tsukimi Ayano began creating life-sized scarecrows to replace departed neighbours. Each year, the village hosts a scarecrow festival, celebrating these unusual residents with workshops, photo sessions, and other activities. Visitors can explore the village, interact with the scarecrows, and learn about this remarkable project to keep the community's spirit alive.

Baby Jumping Festival (Castrillo de Murcia, Spain)

Also known as "El Colacho," this bizarre festival dates back to 1620 and is held annually during the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi. Men dressed as devils jump over rows of babies laid out on mattresses in the street. This ritual is believed to cleanse the babies of original sin, ward off evil spirits, and ensure good health and prosperity throughout their lives. While this unusual custom has garnered criticism, it remains an integral part of the local culture and a unique spectacle for visitors.

What about Notts?

Well maybe not as unusual as the above but here’s a few festy besty’s we have in Notts and the surrounding areas.

The Bramley Apple Festival - Southwell, Nottinghamshire: This festival celebrates the origins of the famous Bramley apple, which was first cultivated in Southwell. The event includes apple-related activities, food, and drink, as well as live music and entertainment.

The Great Notts Show - Nottingham: A celebration of all things Nottinghamshire, this event showcases local food, drink, crafts, and live entertainment.

The Robin Hood Beer & Cider Festival - Nottingham: One of the largest beer festivals in the UK, this event celebrates Nottingham's legendary figure, Robin Hood, while offering a wide range of local and national beers and ciders.

The UK National Holocaust Centre's Memory Walks - Laxton, Nottinghamshire: A unique, reflective event where participants are guided through the picturesque countryside, learning about the Holocaust and its relevance today.

The Viking Festival - Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire: This historical re-enactment event brings to life the Viking era, with live-action battles, a Viking village, and various workshops for attendees to experience life as a Viking.

The World Conker Championships - Southwick, Northamptonshire (East Midlands): This quirky event attracts participants from around the world to compete in the traditional game of conkers, using horse chestnuts on strings.

The Barefoot Walk - Leicestershire (East Midlands): A unique event where participants walk barefoot along a specially designed course to raise awareness and funds for various causes.

Know any more? Well lucky you know it all.