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Not for people who hate crowds, or hate fire
Ottery Saint Mary, England

The Tar Barrels of Ottery St. Mary

Flaming barrels of tar race through these village streets on Bonfire Night, a tradition that dates back centuries.
festivals

Watch Mad Max Enthusiasts Create a Post-Apocalyptic World in the Desert

Party like it's the end of the world.
Mariana Zapata December 15, 2016
festivals

Watch a Hungarian Masked Monster Parade

They're either scaring away Old Man Winter or the Ottoman Empire.
Molly McBride Jacobson December 14, 2016
The <em>Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen</em> is celebrated in Paucartambo, Cusco, from July 15-18
festivals

The Sleepy Peruvian Town that Comes Alive Each Year to 'Please the Virgin'

Demons, jokers, and colonial characters get together to celebrate tradition and faith with a raucous party.
Mariana Zapata December 13, 2016
A natita sporting wide sunglasses and with a mouth full of coca leaves.
skulls

Why Bolivians Party With Their Relatives’ Skulls

The Fiesta de las Ñatitas thanks the dead for a year’s worth of friendship and service.
Paul Koudounaris November 23, 2016
Pehlivans at the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival.
Avarız Köyü, Turkey

Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival

Brawny guys rolling around in oil is the oldest regular sporting event besides the Olympics.
El Campello, Spain

El Campello Moors and Christians Festival

In this coastal town, the time-honored tradition of reenacting the struggle between the Christians and Moors includes the arrival of the Moorish fleet.
Taihape, New Zealand

Gumboot Capital of the World

Taihape's claim to fame is a fictional Kiwi farmer wearing gumboots.
Kenova, West Virginia

Kenova's Pumpkin House

Thousands of jack o'lanterns light up Halloween at this historic West Virginia home.
2002 Bundaberg utes
Deniliquin, Australia

Deni Ute Muster

The world's largest gathering of flatbed coupes can be found annually at this rural festival in New South Wales.
festivals

Check Out This Massive Moon Balloon Terrorizing Streets in China

No one was hurt, apparently.
Erik Shilling September 14, 2016
In action
Tokushima-shi, Japan

Awa Odori

"The Dance of Fools" is Japan's largest dance festival.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Al Janadriyah Festival

An annual two-week festival near the city of Riyadh when Saudis let their hair down.
A fun new between-sets activity?
festivals

A Lot of People Are Getting the Measles at Music Festivals in Britain

"If you think you might have measles, please don't go to any of these big events," pled one health official.
Cara Giaimo August 8, 2016
Chios, Greece

Chios Rocket War

Two churches shoot bottle rockets at each others' bell towers in an unusual Easter celebration.
The annual pyrotechnic display is known as Da Shuhua, which translates to “beating down the tree flowers.”
festivals

For Lunar New Year, Blacksmiths Create Fiery Sparkling Rays With Molten Metal

The farming town of Nuanquan, China, celebrates the holiday with a 300-year-old spin on fireworks.
Lauren Young January 18, 2023
Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival
Big Pine Key, Florida

Underwater Music Festival

For divers and music lovers, the Florida Keys' Underwater Music Festival provides the best of both worlds.
festivals

How I Learned to Keep the Peace at a Hippie Festival With No Rules

When 10,000 people camp out together at the Rainbow Gathering, staying groovy can be a challenge.
Livia Gershon July 11, 2016