The holidays are usually a time for togetherness and joy. But to take it from some of these global celebrations, they can also be a time for raging consumerism, a day of total silence, or beating the heck out of each other. Join us as we go around the globe to find some of the most unique celebrations out there...
KFC For Christmas, Japan
In Japan, Christmas takes on a distinct flavor with a peculiar tradition rooted in a KFC marketing campaign from the 1970s. Known as "Kentucky for Christmas," this campaign encouraged Japanese families to enjoy fried chicken on Christmas Eve. With a limited Christian population in Japan, this innovative marketing move filled the void of traditional Christmas customs. Today, around 3.5 million Japanese families indulge in a KFC Christmas Meal, often pre-ordering months in advance.
This unique culinary tradition has become an integral part of Japanese Christmas celebrations, offering fried chicken, cake, and champagne to celebrate the holiday season.
Krampus, Germany, Austria, Hungary
In Germany, Austria, and Hungary, a dark and contrasting figure to Santa Claus emerges during the holiday season known as Krampus. This hairy, devil-like creature is said to be Santa's ominous counterpart. While Santa rewards "nice" children, Krampus's role is to chastise those on the "naughty" list.
Often, he terrifies children with his menacing appearance, but legend has it that he goes to the extreme of snatching especially misbehaved kids and chaining them in his basket, carrying them off to Hell. To commemorate this tradition, people in Austria and neighboring regions don Krampus costumes in early December, taking to the streets to strike fear into the hearts of children.
El Colacho Baby Jumping Festival, Spain
The El Colacho Baby Jumping Festival, a remarkable Spanish tradition, takes place in the village of Castrillo de Murcia during the annual Corpus Christi festivities in June. The festival is an intriguing blend of religious fervor and peculiar spectacle. Men dressed as "Colacho," wearing colorful costumes and masks to represent the devil, perform daring leaps over rows of infants born in the preceding year. The babies are placed on mattresses in the middle of the street. This age-old ritual is based on the belief that the act of jumping over the infants rids them of original sin and shields them from evil spirits.
While the practice may appear bizarre to outsiders, it has been carried out for centuries and is a deeply rooted cultural tradition. The festival attracts both locals and curious tourists who come to witness this captivating and unconventional event, making it a unique and unforgettable experience.
La Tomatina, Spain
La Tomatina is a peculiar festival held in Buñol, Spain, where participants partake in a lively tomato fight purely for amusement. Its origins can be traced to 1945 when a parade featuring oversized heads took a chaotic turn, leading to a tomato-tossing frenzy. In the subsequent year, locals organized a mock battle with tomatoes, birthing this eccentric tradition. Though briefly banned in the 1950s, a tomato burial protest led to its official recognition.
Held on the last Wednesday of August, the tomato battle lasts about an hour before fire trucks cleanse the streets. The tomatoes' acidity aids in the cleaning process.
Kanamara Matsuri, Japan
Kanamara Matsuri, also known as the "Festival of the Steel Phallus," is a one-of-a-kind Shinto festival held annually in Kawasaki, Japan. Celebrated on the first Sunday in April, this event is a lively and humorous celebration of fertility, sexuality, and protection from sexually transmitted diseases. The centerpiece of the festival is a massive phallus-shaped mikoshi (portable shrine), which is paraded through the streets by participants dressed in festive costumes. The festival goers enjoy phallic-shaped candies, vegetables, and souvenirs, all in good humor.
Kanamara Matsuri has gained international attention for its playful yet significant message about sexual health and acceptance, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. This vibrant and inclusive celebration has made the Kanamara Matsuri a popular and unique cultural attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world who come to experience its joyful atmosphere and traditions, which challenge societal taboos in a light-hearted and open manner.
Singles' Day, China
Singles' Day, also known as Double 11 or 11.11, is an extraordinary shopping phenomenon that originated in China and has rapidly evolved into the world's largest shopping holiday. Celebrated on November 11th, the date 11/11 was chosen because the number "1" symbolizes a single person. Initially conceived as a lighthearted anti-Valentine's Day for single individuals to treat themselves, it has now transformed into a global shopping extravaganza. Singles' Day is synonymous with massive online sales, particularly through Alibaba's platforms, such as Tmall and Taobao.
The significance of Singles' Day extends beyond just shopping; it represents the power of e-commerce, consumerism, and the digital age. It's an economic phenomenon that showcases China's influence on global retail and is a testament to the shift from traditional brick-and-mortar shopping to online commerce. Singles' Day is not only a celebration of independence but also a testament to the changing landscape of consumer behavior and the immense potential of e-commerce on a global scale.
Turkey Pardoning, USA
What would Thanksgiving be without a roasted turkey on every family's dinner table? Unfortunately for millions of turkeys, it wouldn't be much of anything. But two lucky birds escape death each year when they get to not only be spared from slaughter, but get to meet the President of the United States in the process during the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning.
Though it's said that the tradition began with Abraham Lincoln, official records show the first official pardon was in 1963 by JFK. It then became an annual tradition in 1989 with George H. W. Bush. During the event, the turkey(s) is pardoned by the President, and many bird-related jokes and political puns are tossed into the mix.
Bolas De Fuego, El Salvador
Bolas de Fuego, which translates to "Balls of Fire," is a unique and exhilarating festival celebrated in Nejapa, El Salvador. Taking place on August 31st, this tradition has roots in both indigenous and colonial histories. The highlight of the festival involves participants hurling flaming, kerosene-soaked rags wrapped in wire mesh at each other.
The origins of Bolas de Fuego are traced back to a volcanic eruption in 1922, where locals prayed to Saint Jeronimo, their patron saint, for protection. Today, the festival symbolizes the ongoing battle between good and evil and serves as a form of cleansing and protection for the community. Participants wear heavy clothing and protective gear, but the spectacle is intense and thrilling as they dodge and throw these fiery projectiles.
Takanakuy, Peru
Takanakuy is a fascinating and unique Peruvian tradition that translates to "to hit each other" in the Quechua language. Held annually on December 25th in the Andean region of Chumbivilcas, Peru, it is a remarkable way for local communities to settle conflicts and release pent-up tensions.
Participants, often dressed in colorful, elaborate costumes, gather in a central arena where they engage in friendly, consensual fistfights, usually over personal disputes or issues. This ritualistic violence is seen as a means of resolving conflicts, promoting forgiveness, and fostering community cohesion. It's a spectacle of physical endurance and sportsmanship, with participants displaying incredible courage and resilience. Takanakuy combines ancient indigenous traditions with a form of catharsis that allows people to start the new year with a clean slate.
Lopburi Monkey Buffet- A Good Day For Thai Monkeys
The Lopburi Monkey Buffet is a unique and vibrant festival held annually in Lopburi, Thailand, known as the Land of the Monkeys. This event celebrates the local population of macaque monkeys, which are considered descendants of the monkey warrior Hanuman and thus hold a special place in local folklore and reverence.
Held at the end of November, the festival features a grand buffet of fruits, vegetables, and other treats laid out for the monkeys in the ruins of the ancient temples, attracting thousands of spectators. The feast shows gratitude to the monkeys for drawing visitors throughout the year. People are even advised to keep a respectful distance as the monkeys feast to their hearts’ content. It means that it is pretty awesome to be a monkey in Thailand.
The Straw Bear Day Is Still A Thing In England
This is an old English tradition that is held on January 7, and it dates back to a 19th-century custom where a local man, swathed in straw, would lead a procession through the town, dancing in exchange for gifts of food, beer, or money. The "Straw Bear," symbolic of fertility and renewal, is believed to help promote a good harvest. Yes, they still have a man covered in straw dance in front of houses today.
The event lasts three days, and in it, a bunch of people dress in odd costumes and dance on the streets. The day concludes with the dramatic “Straw Bear Bonfire,” where the costume is burned to mark the end of the festivities and the beginning of preparations for the next year.
Diwali
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a dazzling celebration of triumph over darkness and the victory of good over evil celebrated mostly in India and by Indians around the world. Amid the luminous display of lamps and fireworks, some quirky and captivating traditions have woven themselves into this ancient festival. One intriguing Diwali tradition is the practice of gambling, known as "Teen Patti" or "Flush." Families and friends gather to play card games late into the night, believing that winning during Diwali brings good luck for the year ahead. It's a paradoxical blend of chance and superstition amid the festivities.
Another peculiar custom involves smashing earthenware pots filled with curd or butter, known as "Dahi Handi." This echoes Lord Krishna's childhood antics of stealing butter, and groups of young men form human pyramids to reach and break these high-hanging pots, sometimes competing for cash rewards.
Hadaka Matsuri
Japan is known to be the home of a few weird things. It's the place where you can purchase fish off of a vending machine, after all, so you just know they'd be on this list for having some weird holiday. And, you'd be right, because they have this festival called Hadaka Matsuri which literally translates to "naked man festival."
What do they do? Well, hordes of men (and by that we mean as many as 10,000) strip down to their loin cloths and run through the temple grounds to jostle over scented sticks. Apparently, this kind of thing makes perfect sense in Japan.
The Pooping Log, Catalonia
In the Catalonia region of Spain, the quirky tradition of Tió de Nadal, or the "Christmas log," takes center stage during the holiday season. This peculiar tradition involves hollowing out a log and giving it a face, legs, and a little red hat. Starting on December 8, families "feed" the log each night by placing presents and candy inside. They also tuck the log under a blanket to keep it warm.
On Christmas Eve, the log is placed in the (unlit) fireplace, and family members take turns beating it with a stick, urging it to "defecate" presents and candy while singing traditional songs. After the "beating," the gifts are retrieved from beneath the blanket, adding a touch of whimsy to Catalan Christmas celebrations.
Groundhog Day- Where An Animal Predicts The Weather
No, they don't celebrate the film of Bill Murray (despite that that would make more sense). Groundhog Day, celebrated on February 2nd, is a unique North American tradition rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch superstition. It's the day when the groundhog, also known as a woodchuck, is said to predict the weather.
The most famous celebration takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where Punxsutawney Phil, the esteemed groundhog, makes his annual forecast. Crowds gather to witness his "prognostication," turning the event into a festive gathering with food, speeches, and entertainment.
Black Friday, USA
Black Friday, a frenzied shopping extravaganza that occurs annually on the day following Thanksgiving in the United States, has evolved into a global retail phenomenon. Retailers offer massive discounts and doorbuster deals, leading to long queues, crowded stores, and increasingly online shopping sprees. Originating in the early 20th century, Black Friday marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, with consumers hunting for discounts and early Christmas gifts. The name "Black Friday" likely stems from the idea that retailers' sales figures shift from "red" (losses) to "black" (profits) during this period.
While the event garners criticism for its chaotic scenes and materialism, it remains a significant driver of revenue for businesses and a highly anticipated day for bargain hunters. In recent years, Cyber Monday, which focuses on online deals, has become an extension of Black Friday, showcasing the dynamic nature of modern consumerism.
Antzar Eguna - Behead A Goose Day
While monkeys have their day in Thailand, in a Basque fishing-town of Spain, geese have theirs too. Unfortunately, it's a bad day for geese. Antzar Eguna is a unique festival where participants attempt to decapitate a dead goose suspended over the town's harbor. So what's the challenge?
They're yanked into the air and dropped by a boat, and they must try to hold onto the goose while the townsfolk tug on a rope to add to the difficulty. The victor is the one who endures the most pulls. While it may sound brutal, the competition dates back to Lekeitio's seafaring heritage and now uses artificial geese for a more animal-friendly approach in modern times. It is absolutely weird, we know, and there is no explanation for why this day even exists, but it does.
Night Of The Radishes, Mexico
In Oaxaca, Mexico, December 23 marks a unique celebration known as La Noche de Rabanos, or "The Night of the Radishes." This festival features intricately carved radishes that depict nativity scenes, local wildlife, architectural marvels, and other relevant displays.
These artistic radish carvings are sold as Christmas centerpieces, and the creator of the best design receives a monetary prize. This tradition showcases remarkable craftsmanship and a distinct way of celebrating the holiday season in Mexico.
Dead Horse Caroling, Wales
Wales introduces a fascinating twist to Christmas caroling with the Mari Lwyd tradition. This uniquely Welsh custom sees revelers arrive at your door with a horse skull atop a stick, concealed by a ribbon and bells. These groups, as part of Mari Lwyd, engage in singing and rhyming insult challenges known as "pwnco" in Welsh.
After the exchange, the hosts often invite the party inside for refreshments. This offbeat form of caroling adds a touch of eccentricity to the holiday season in Wales.
Groundhog Day- Where An Animal Predicts The Weather
No, they don't celebrate the film of Bill Murray (despite that that would make more sense). Groundhog Day, celebrated on February 2nd, is a unique North American tradition rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch superstition. It's the day when the groundhog, also known as a woodchuck, is said to predict the weather.
The most famous celebration takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where Punxsutawney Phil, the esteemed groundhog, makes his annual forecast. Crowds gather to witness his "prognostication," turning the event into a festive gathering with food, speeches, and entertainment.
Nyepi, Bali
Nyepi, also known as the Balinese New Year or the Day of Silence, is a deeply significant and unique cultural celebration in Bali, Indonesia. It marks the beginning of the Balinese Saka New Year, usually falling in March or April based on the Balinese calendar. Nyepi is a day of reflection, meditation, and self-purification when the island comes to a complete standstill.
The Balinese people observe Nyepi by refraining from any activity that could disrupt the island's tranquility, such as lighting fires, working, traveling, or even using electricity. The night before Nyepi, there's a grand procession called "Pengerupukan" featuring giant papier-mâché effigies, symbolizing the purification of the island from evil spirits. Nyepi's main purpose is to cleanse the soul, maintain the harmony of the universe, and maintain the balance between humans, nature, and the spiritual world.
Lucky Spider Webs, Ukraine
Ukraine introduces a unique holiday custom associated with spider webs and good fortune. The story behind this tradition harks back to an ancient tale. In this narrative, a destitute family nurtured a Christmas tree from a pine cone. Lacking the means to adorn it, they were moved by a heartwarming surprise as spiders spun intricate silk webs around the tree overnight.
When the morning sun illuminated these webs, they transformed into silver and gold, leaving the family with a beautifully adorned tree. To this day, Ukrainian families decorate their Christmas trees with spider webs, symbolizing luck and prosperity.
Picnic Day, Australia
Picnic Day, celebrated on the first Monday of August in northern Australia, offers a delightful break from the routine. This annual public holiday has its roots in the 1800s and is observed in various locations. While its exact inception date remains uncertain, the holiday was initially declared to allow railway workers to enjoy a relaxing picnic day at Adelaide River.
Over the years, it has evolved into a cherished tradition, granting businesses and schools a day off. It encourages locals and tourists to revel in a long weekend, complete with picnics, outdoor leisure, and community events. This day exemplifies the Australian spirit of enjoying the great outdoors and fostering a sense of togetherness in the community.
Roller Skating To Mass, Venezuela
While Australians head to the beach, Venezuelans roll to early morning Christmas mass. A long-standing holiday tradition in Caracas, the entire city embraces roller skating as the preferred mode of transportation to the morning Christmas service. In fact, vehicles are banned from many parts of the city before 8 a.m.
To add a layer of whimsy, children tie strings from their big toes to their bedroom windows the night before to receive friendly tugs from passing roller skaters on their way to mass, further enhancing this distinct Venezuelan Christmas tradition.
Burning Of The Devil, Guatemala
Guatemalans embrace Christmas with fervor, marked by an event known as La Quema del Diablo, or "the Burning of the Devil," on December 6. Families set up bonfires outside their homes and burn effigies of Satan to dispel evil spirits, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. In the past, people used to burn their household trash during this event, but concerns over environmental impact led to the adoption of piñatas resembling the Devil.
The celebration is accompanied by traditional donuts and warm fruit punch, signifying the commencement of the Christmas season in Guatemala.
The Festival of San Fermin, Spain
The Festival of San Fermin in Pamplona, Spain, is an internationally acclaimed celebration that revolves around honoring Saint Fermin. This grand fiesta is renowned for its iconic and exhilarating "Running of the Bulls." Every year, over a million people from around the world gather to participate in or witness this electrifying event. The festival spans from July 6th to July 14th and features a kaleidoscope of activities, including religious ceremonies, parades, live music, and flamboyant street parties. However, it's the "Encierro," or the Running of the Bulls, that steals the spotlight. It involves hundreds of brave individuals sprinting through the narrow streets of Pamplona, pursued by charging bulls and steers.
Shepherds with long poles guide the bulls, ensuring the safety of participants, but the run is still a thrilling and high-risk endeavor. The Festival of San Fermin captures the spirit of Spain's rich cultural heritage, blending tradition, adrenaline, and vibrant revelry.
The Gift-Giving Witch, Italy
Italy boasts a unique Christmas tradition in the form of La Befana, a kind yet unsightly old witch. Legend has it that the Magi sought directions to visit baby Jesus and invited Befana to join them, but she declined, citing household chores. Regretful, she later attempted to locate the Magi but couldn't.
Now, on the night of January 5, known as the Epiphany eve, she flies around, delivering toys to children. Italians, rather than leaving milk and cookies, set out sausage, broccoli, and wine for her. La Befana's role as a gift-giving witch adds a distinctive charm to Italian Christmas celebrations.
Inti Raymi, Peru
Inti Raymi, a festive tradition in Peru, is renowned as the "Sun Festival." This ancient religious ceremony venerates the Inca god Inti, a prominent figure during the Inca Empire. Celebrated on June 24th, it historically involved a three-day purification ritual featuring a diet of water, cooked corn, and chucam, a legume. During the June solstice, people eagerly awaited the rising sun, blowing kisses while holding golden cups of chicha, an alcoholic beverage. They journeyed to the Coricancha, a vital temple, preparing for the symbolic llama sacrifice.
Today, Cusco readies itself for a vibrant nine-day festival in June, blending modern revelry with tradition. Downtown Cusco temporarily halts traffic, allowing performers and entertainers from the former Inca Empire's provinces to congregate. After a crucial ceremony reaffirming allegiance, the festivities continue with dances, Chicha sharing, and a symbolic llama sacrifice.
The Feast of Anastenaria, Greece and Bulgaria
The Feast of Anastenaria is an extraordinary fire-walking ritual practiced in select villages of Greece and Bulgaria. Celebrated by descendants of those who migrated to Greece post-Balkan Wars, this annual rite occurs from May 21 to May 23. While dedicated to saints, Saint Constantine and Saint Helen, the celebration's core days correspond to significant Greek Orthodox calendar dates and other saintly commemorations.
Each three-day festival blends music, dance, and ceremonial animal offerings, culminating in the mesmerizing fire-walking act where participants dance and then walk barefoot across burning embers. Today, this captivating tradition continues in northern Greek villages.
Tinku "Punch Your Neighbor" Festival In Bolivia
In the Potosi region of Bolivia, it is completely legal, for one day at least, to punch your neighbor in the face. Participants, wearing vibrant, traditional dress, engage in physical fights believed to be offerings to Pachamama, the Andean Mother Earth, to ensure a bountiful harvest and social harmony. When the earth goddess calls for blood, the villagers are always happy to abide.
What better way to ensure a good crop harvest, after all, than to beat your neighbors to a bloody pulp. And in case you were wondering, yes, there have been a few who have died because of this holiday. It's a good thing that the authorities have now gotten themselves involved, so that fights are stopped after the first drop of blood is spilled.
Cheung Chau Bun Festival, China
The Cheung Chau Bun Festival unfolds on Hong Kong's picturesque Cheung Chau Island, coinciding with the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese calendar, near Buddha's birthday. Originally a ritual to seek protection from sea pirates, the festival now showcases Chinese culture with a focus on buns. Kwok Kam Kee supplies over 60,000 buns each year. The festival features dragon and lion dances, a float parade with children suspended in mid-air, and musicians driving away evil spirits with gongs and drums.
The iconic Pak Tai Temple stands in front of "Bun Mountains," massive bamboo towers adorned with buns. Traditionally, men raced to retrieve the highest buns for family blessings, but safety improvements have replaced bamboo with steel and plastic buns.
Dia De Los Muertos, Mexico
Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a vibrant and poignant Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. This tradition honors deceased loved ones, blending indigenous Mesoamerican rituals with Catholicism. Families create elaborate ofrendas (altars) adorned with marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, and the favorite foods and mementos of the departed. These offerings are believed to guide the spirits back to the world of the living for a joyful reunion.
Celebrants also paint their faces as calaveras (skulls) and don costumes to mimic death, emphasizing the idea that death is a natural part of life. Dia de los Muertos serves as a beautiful, colorful, and heartfelt celebration of memory, culture, and love for those who have passed.
Hide The Brooms, Norway
In Norway, Christmas Eve takes an intriguing turn as some believe that witches and malevolent spirits roam the night sky. According to folklore, a witch's preferred mode of transport is a broomstick. To prevent witches from getting hold of broomsticks, people in Norway hide all brooms in their homes on Christmas Eve.
In some cases, a warning shot is fired into the air to deter any potential witches. This quirky tradition adds a touch of mystique to Norwegian Christmas customs.
Day of the Sea, Bolivia
Dia del Mar, observed on March 23 in Bolivia, is a solemn commemoration of the nation's loss of its coastal territory, the Litoral Department, during the War of the Pacific with Chile. This annual event serves as a poignant reminder of Bolivia's landlocked status since that war, which ended in 1884. On this day, Bolivians come together in remembrance, reflecting on their historical desire to regain access to the Pacific Ocean.
Parades, ceremonies, and gatherings are held across the country. It's a day when the nation unites to reaffirm its territorial claims and keep the dream of a sovereign outlet to the sea alive, invoking a sense of patriotism and national identity.