10. April 2026

50 The most unusual traditions of peoples.

  1. El Colacho (Baby Jumping, Spain) — men dressed as devils leap over babies lying on mattresses to cleanse them of sin.
  2. Boryeong Mud Festival (South Korea) — participants cover themselves in therapeutic mud and enjoy beach festivities.
  3. Cow Hugging Day (USA, Switzerland) — hugging cows is believed to relieve stress and bring calm.
  4. Holi Festival (India) — people throw bright powdered colors at each other to celebrate the arrival of spring.
  5. Monkey Buffet Festival (Thailand) — a feast is held for thousands of monkeys in Lopburi.
  6. Running of the Bulls (San Fermín, Spain) — participants run in front of a herd of bulls through the streets of Pamplona.
  7. La Tomatina (Spain) — an annual massive tomato fight in Buñol.
  8. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival (China) — giant ice sculptures and snow art are displayed in Harbin.
  9. Fireball Festival (Nicaragua) — locals throw fireballs at each other in honor of the city’s patron saint.
  10. Bullet Ant Initiation (Brazil, Satere-Mawe tribe) — boys wear gloves filled with bullet ants as a rite of passage.
  11. Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Man Festival, Japan) — thousands of men in loincloths compete for good luck.
  12. Full Moon Water Festival (Myanmar) — thousands of candles are floated on rivers to honor Buddha.
  13. Baby Dropping Ritual (India, Maharashtra) — parents drop infants from a height of 15 meters for health and luck.
  14. Yulin Dog Meat Festival (China) — an annual controversial festival involving the consumption of dog meat.
  15. Cheese Rolling (England) — participants chase a rolling cheese wheel down Cooper’s Hill.
  16. Cherry Blossom Festival (Japan) — mass celebration of cherry blossom season.
  17. International Kite Festival (India, Gujarat) — thousands of kites fill the sky.
  18. Bride Ransom Tradition (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus) — the groom must pass tests or pay a "ransom" to get his bride.
  19. Diwali (India) — the Festival of Lights, with thousands of lamps and fireworks.
  20. Obon Festival (Japan) — honoring ancestors with dances and lanterns.
  21. Songkran (Thailand) — a massive water festival for the Thai New Year.
  22. Oktoberfest (Germany) — the world’s largest beer festival.
  23. Maslenitsa (Russia) — farewell to winter with pancakes and folk festivities.
  24. Cascamorras Festival (Spain) — participants paint their faces and try to retrieve a trophy from a pole.
  25. Day of the Dead (Mexico) — families decorate graves and make sugar skulls.
  26. Vampire Ball (USA, New Orleans) — a costume ball in vampire style.
  27. Epiphany/Theophany (Russia, Greece) — swimming in icy water.
  28. Navruz (Iran, Central Asia) — New Year according to the solar calendar.
  29. Groundhog Day (USA, Canada) — predicting spring by a groundhog’s behavior.
  30. Sabantuy (Tatarstan, Russia) — folk games and contests.
  31. Saint John’s Bonfire Festival (Spain, Portugal) — jumping over bonfires.
  32. Loi Krathong (Thailand) — floating lanterns on water.
  33. Gion Matsuri (Japan) — one of Japan’s most famous festivals.
  34. Ethiopian Christmas (Ethiopia) — celebrated on January 7 according to the Julian calendar.
  35. Saint Patrick’s Day (Ireland, USA) — massive parades and green costumes.
  36. Hanami (Japan) — cherry blossom viewing.
  37. Cannes Film Festival (France).
  38. Walpurgis Night (Germany, Sweden).
  39. National Costume Day (Switzerland).
  40. Maslenitsa in Serbia — burning a winter effigy.
  41. Flag Day (Denmark).
  42. Independence Day (India, USA).
  43. Rio Carnival (Brazil).
  44. Thanksgiving Day (USA).
  45. Valentine’s Day (Worldwide).
  46. Rosh Hashanah (Israel).
  47. Saint Nicholas Day (Netherlands).
  48. Lunar New Year (China, Vietnam).
  49. Up Helly Aa Fire Festival (Scotland).
  50. Naadam Festival (Mongolia) — traditional Mongolian sports and games.
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