In most countries there are a wide variety of festivals taking place on any given day of the year. The majority of these festivals tend to have some type of purpose within the specific culture, though some are mostly held just for tourists or for fun. However, there are a couple of countries around the world that play host to some truly bizarre festivities. These festivals take place annually because they were passed down by ancestors for many decades. If given the opportunity, you should truly take some time to visit one or more, though be prepared to be creeped out or just cringe a lot.
6. Kanamara Matsuri
6. Kanamara Matsuri
The Kanamara Matsuri is an incredibly odd Japanese festival taking place in Kawasaki every year. The festival is focused around penis-shaped carvings, candies, and decorations, most of which are popular amongst the local prostitute population.
5. Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake
5. Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake
Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake is exactly what it sounds like. A lot of people – mostly men – come together in England and roll bits of cheese down a hill. The first person to roll and race down the hill and touch the bottom wins the entire circle of cheese.
4. Hadaka Matsuri
4. Hadaka Matsuri
Hadaka Matsuri – yet another odd Japanese festival – takes place during the summer or winter. Japanese men celebrate by wearing a loincloth or roaming around the area naked. A Shinto priest will then throw sticks at midnight, and the men must grasp it until there is only one remaining.
3. Monkey Buffet Festival
3. Monkey Buffet Festival
Monkey Buffet Festival is held every single year in Thailand, where 2,000 kilograms or more worth of food and fruits are given to the monkey population to feast on. Monkeys are said to bring good luck and fortune to the area.
2. El Salto del Colacho
2. El Salto del Colacho
El Salto del Colacho, or the Baby Jumping Festival, is held every year in Spain. Basically, the locals dress up like the devil and then men jump over babies who are sleeping on mattresses on the ground. There are no precautions against injuries to the newborns, though.
1. Festa del Cornuto
1. Festa del Cornuto
Festa del Cornuto, also known as the Festival of Horns, is said to be in honor of a man who had been cheated on back during the Roman Empire. The Italian festival sees men wearing horns on their heads and leaving their wives at home.
