The World's Wackiest Holidays
From the largest annual tomato fight in Spain, to Scotland's "Up Helly-Aa" fire festival, a look at those special days when people around the world go slightly nuts
Shetland Islands, Scotland: "Up Helly-Aa" Fire Festival
A tribute to the islands' Viking Past, Up Helly-Aa ("End of the Holy Days") culminates with the burning of a 32-ft. replica of a Viking longship.
Bobr, Belarus: Ivana Kupala Night
On the night of this pagan festival, celebrated on July 7, the Gregorian summer solstice, young women don wreathes and celebrants jump through fire and swim naked. The rites are connected to ancient beliefs about fertility and autopurification.
New Delhi, India: Holi, the Festival of Colors
Indian girls throw gulal (colored powder) on each other during a Hindi holiday which marks the onset of spring.
Bunyol, Spain: Tomatina
In late August, thousands of people pelt each other with over 250 lbs. of tomatoes in a span of 60 minutes in an event modestly described as the world's largest tomato fight.
Nobsa, Colombia: International Poncho Day
Designed to promote the work of local artisans who weave traditional wool ponchos, the parade and festival are a relatively new celebration.
Novgorod, Russia: Maslenitsa
In Orthodox countries, the week before Lent is marked with a series of celebrations, including a free-for-all boxing match in which there are no rules. In centuries past, the fight ended only when the participates were covered with blood and bereft of clothes.
Inazawa, Japan: Hadaka Matsuri, The Naked Festival
Hidden somewhere in the midst of all these men in loincloths is one fully naked man. Touching him is believed to bring good luck and happiness.
Lopburi province, Thailand: The Monkey Buffet
Every year, all of the province's approximately 600 monkeys are invited to eat fruits and vegetables during an annual feast held in honor of Rama, a hero of the Ramayana, who, it is said, rewarded his friend and ally, Hanuman the Monkey King, with the fiefdom of what is now Lopburi.
Lopburi province, Thailand: The Monkey Buffet
Organizers of the annual monkey buffet use more than 3,000 kg of fruits and vegetables for the festival.
Brockworth, England: Cheese Rolling Festival
