Many of the world's quirkiest annual events began as local customs, religious observances or spontaneous acts of mischief. Over time they have evolved into beloved traditions, drawing visitors from far beyond the communities that first dreamed them up.
Air Guitar World Championships (Finland)
The world's best imaginary guitarists gather in Oulu to perform rock solos on instruments that do not exist. The underlying philosophy is delightfully earnest: "If everyone played air guitar, nobody would be at war."
Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling (England)
Contestants hurl themselves down a terrifyingly steep Gloucestershire hillside in pursuit of a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. The cheese usually wins. Injuries are common, but so is enthusiasm. The tradition is thought to be centuries old.
El Colacho (Spain)
Also known as the “Baby-Jumping Festival”, this centuries-old event sees men dressed as devils leap over rows of infants lying on mattresses in the street. The ritual is said to cleanse babies of evil spirits and bad luck.
Kanamara Matsuri (かなまら祭, Japan)
“Festival of the Steel Phallus” is an annual fertility festival held each spring in Kawasaki, Japan. Celebrated at Kanayama Shrine, it is known for its striking phallic imagery symbolising fertility, protection and prosperity.
La Tomatina (Spain)
Every August, the town of Buñol erupts into the world's largest food fight as participants hurl thousands of kilograms of overripe tomatoes at one another. What began as a spontaneous street brawl in 1945 has become a major international attraction.
Monkey Buffet Festival (Thailand)
Each year in Lopburi, locals prepare an extravagant feast for thousands of macaques. Mountains of fruit, vegetables and desserts are laid out as a thank-you to the monkeys that attract tourists to the town.
Night of the Radishes (Mexico)
On 23 December each year, artisans in Oaxaca carve giant radishes into elaborate sculptures depicting scenes from history, folklore and everyday life. It is equal parts agricultural exhibition and art competition.
Wife-Carrying World Championship (Finland)
Held in the town of Sonkajärvi, competitors race through an obstacle course while carrying a partner. The preferred technique is the "Estonian carry”, in which the carrier's partner hangs upside down with legs wrapped around the shoulders.
World Bog Snorkelling Championship (Wales)
Participants plunge into a trench cut through a peat bog and propel themselves through muddy water using only flippers and a snorkel. Conventional swimming strokes are forbidden. It is exactly as ridiculous as it sounds.
World Toe Wrestling Championships (England)
The World Toe Wrestling Championships is an annual novelty sporting festival held in Derbyshire, England. Participants interlock toes and attempt to pin an opponent’s foot to the ground, resembling arm wrestling for the feet. See also: Thumb Wrestling [RR3:84]
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Images
1. El Colacho (Spain). Photo credit: Gunnar Knechtel for The Guardian
2. Aapo Rautio of Finland performs during the Air Guitar World Championships final in Oulu, Finland, 22 August 2025. Photo credit: Eeva Riihela/Lehtikuva via AP
3. Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling (England). Photo credit: Cameron Smith / Getty
4. That's a big penis. Credit: matcha.jp
5. People battle with overripe tomatoes at La Tomatina. Photo credit: Miguel Angel
6. Monkey Buffet Festival (Thailand)
7. Night of the Radishes (Mexico). Photo credit: Yair Lobo for AtlasObscura
8. The Estonian carry
9. Competitor of the World Bog Snorkelling Championship at the dense Waen Rhydd peat bog, near Llanwrtyd Wells in mid Wales. Photo credit: Fotograferen.net
10. World Toe Wrestling Championships (England). Photo credit: Alan Nasty Nash
