Food festivals are a delightful celebration of regional and international cuisines, offering an opportunity to savor delectable dishes and culinary traditions. While many of these festivals feature familiar and beloved foods, there are some that push the boundaries of what you might consider “usual” fare.
1. La Tomatina (Buñol, Spain)
La Tomatina is the world’s largest tomato fight, held in the Valencian town of Buñol, Spain. Participants pelt each other with ripe tomatoes in a friendly, yet messy, battle. The event culminates in a sea of tomato sauce and pureed tomatoes covering the streets and revelers.
2. Bizarre Foods Festival (Tokyo, Japan)
Tokyo hosts the Bizarre Foods Festival, where visitors can sample a wide array of unique and peculiar dishes. From insect delicacies to unusual seafood, this festival caters to adventurous eaters looking to expand their palate.
3. Bun Festival (Cheung Chau, Hong Kong)
The Cheung Chau Bun Festival in Hong Kong is known for its peculiar tradition of climbing a bun-covered tower. Participants race to ascend the bun towers and snatch as many buns as they can. The event also features colorful parades and festivities.
4. Roadkill Cook-Off (Marlinton, West Virginia, USA)
This festival in West Virginia celebrates unusual cuisine made from animals commonly found as roadkill. Attendees can taste dishes like squirrel gravy over biscuits or teriyaki-marinated bear.
5. BugFest (Raleigh, North Carolina, USA)
BugFest is all about entomophagy—the practice of eating insects. Attendees can sample various insect-based dishes and learn about the role of bugs in our diets. The event promotes the sustainability and nutritional benefits of consuming insects.
6. World Testicle Cooking Championship (Ozrem, Serbia)
Known locally as “Čorba od Pšeničnih,” this Serbian festival is dedicated to cooking animal testicles. The dishes can include testicles from various animals, such as bulls, pigs, and lambs.
7. Gilroy Garlic Festival (Gilroy, California, USA)
While garlic is not unusual, the quantity and variety featured at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California might be. The event showcases garlic-themed foods like garlic ice cream and garlic-bread-eating contests.
8. Worm Charming Festival (Cheshire, England)
At the Worm Charming Festival, participants are tasked with charming as many worms out of the ground as possible in a limited time. The goal is to promote sustainable and eco-friendly farming techniques.
9. Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake (Gloucestershire, England)
In this annual event, participants chase a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down a steep hill. The first one to cross the finish line wins the cheese. The event is famous for its thrilling, and sometimes painful, descents.
10. The Day of the Dead Bread Festival (Mixquic, Mexico)
This Mexican festival celebrates the Day of the Dead with pan de muerto, or “bread of the dead.” The sweet bread is baked in various shapes, often resembling skulls and skeletons, and is enjoyed by families while honoring their departed loved ones.
11. The Battle of the Oranges (Ivrea, Italy)
In this unique festival, participants engage in a massive orange fight that commemorates a historic rebellion against a tyrant. Townspeople on foot battle those on horse-drawn carts, throwing oranges in the air and at each other.
12. World Toe Wrestling Championship (Derbyshire, England)
Toe wrestling, a sport akin to arm wrestling but with toes, is the highlight of this English event. Contestants try to pin down their opponent’s toes for victory.
13. Festa del Cornuto (Cornuda, Italy)
This festival is a lighthearted celebration of those who have been cheated on in relationships. It features humorous performances, and attendees can enjoy an assortment of cornetto pastries.
14. Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum (Yokohama, Japan)
While not a traditional festival, this museum deserves a spot on our list. It’s a thematic dining experience where you can explore ramen culture from different regions of Japan. You can taste various regional ramen dishes in a retro 1958 Tokyo setting.
15. The Tunarama Festival (Port Lincoln, Australia)
The Tunarama Festival in Australia is famous for its tuna toss, where participants compete in throwing frozen tunas. The event also features seafood-related activities and celebrations.
16. Lopburi Monkey Buffet Festival (Lopburi, Thailand)
At this unusual festival, locals offer a lavish buffet to the monkeys that inhabit the area. The event is both a spectacle and a way to express gratitude for the monkeys, who are believed to bring good fortune.
17. El Colacho (Castrillo de Murcia, Spain)
El Colacho is a Spanish tradition where men dressed as devils leap over babies lying on mattresses in the street. It is believed to cleanse the infants of original sin and is part of the Corpus Christi festival.
18. Herring Festival (Siglufjörður, Iceland)
Herring might not be everyone’s favorite, but in Iceland, it’s celebrated with fervor. The festival includes herring sampling, live music, and activities related to this silvery fish.