The World’s Weirdest and Most Unusual Festivals
Manitou Springs Emma Crawford Coffin Races / Facebook
Most festivals celebrate the big, important things that countries and cultures value. But some places simply like to throw a good party and will make any excuse to start up the fireworks.
We love this enthusiasm and applaud the idea of celebrating even the smallest of things. After all, why not bring more whimsy to the world?
Here, we compiled a list of weird and random festivals around the world. Some seem like the product of utter boredom, while others are the product of centuries-old superstition. We wouldn’t necessarily attend all of them, but these bizarre festivals are all definitely worth knowing about. Because, why not?
15. Florida Underwater Music Festival
Location: Big Pine Key, Florida
Date of celebration: July
Type of festival: Music
What Makes the Underwater Music Festival Unique
The magnificent reefs off the coast of Florida have been rapidly deteriorating for decades. At the sight of this tragedy, one Floridian decided to do something about it in 1984. To raise awareness, he began the colorful tradition of hosting a concert completely underneath the surface of the ocean.
The underwater concert happens in the middle of the reef. Underwater speakers blast a playlist, as musicians in scuba diving gear pretend to play fake instruments. Bands and solo artists showcase their skills for onlookers, diving or snorkeling, to enthusiastically enjoy the performance. Songs are appropriately water-themed.
Must-bring item: Snorkeling gear to enjoy the concert from the water ($33.95)
14. International Cherry Pit-Spitting Championship
Location: Eau Claire, Michigan
Date of celebration: July
Type of festival: Food
What Makes the International Cherry Pit-Spitting Championship Unique
Sometimes life in small towns can be, erm, not as exciting as one would hope. This seems to be what happened in Eau Claire, where locals apparently spend a lot of time spitting out cherry pits.
This pastime is so popular that it has become a semi-official sport in the town, with an annual festival dedicated entirely to it. Contestants compete to see who spits the cherry the farthest, vying to earn the coveted cherry pit-spitter title. We think this is one festival we’d probably skip.
Must-bring item: Sunblock to protect you from the bright summer sun ($9.50)