September’s Quirky Side: Weird Festivals Around the World Celebrated in September

September isn’t just about back to school and pumpkin spice lattes! This is also the month when some of the weirdest and quirkiest festivals around the globe take place. If you’re seeking a break from the ordinary, and you’re also a lover of anything nerdy, then you’re in for a treat. Let us take you on a journey that will introduce you to a world of peculiar celebrations. The kind that will make you chuckle, scratch your head, and maybe also gasp in disbelief. Without further ado, here are our favorite weird festivals in September.

La Tomatina

Imagine stepping into a town where the streets are transformed into a battlefield of squished tomatoes. Welcome to Spain’s world-famous “La Tomatina” festival. Held on the last Wednesday of September in the town of Buñol, this festival invites participants from all corners of the globe to engage in a tomato fight of epic proportions. It’s a spectacle where tomatoes become weapons of fun. But also when laughter fills the air as people unleash their inner child. This quirky event is a testament to the boundless ways we can find joy in the most unexpected places.

Boryeong Mud Festival

From tomatoes, we transition to mud – Korea’s favorite playground during the Boryeong Mud Festival. Held in Boryeong each July, this festival transforms the town into a haven for mud enthusiasts. The festivities include mud wrestling, mud marathons, and even mudslides. With live music, mud-based beauty treatments, and a general sense of revelry, this event reminds us that getting a little dirty can lead to a whole lot of fun. Who knew mud could be the key ingredient for a memorable summer bash?

West Virginia Roadkill Cook-off

If you thought food festivals were all about the usual fare, think again. West Virginia’s Roadkill Cook-off is a testament to culinary innovation like no other. Chefs gather to create dishes out of – wait for it – roadkill. From squirrel stew to possum pot pie, these chefs prove that creativity knows no bounds. It’s a quirky celebration that challenges conventional notions of fine dining. But also opens up a world of culinary possibilities that you probably never considered. That’s why it’s one of our favorite weird festivals in September.

Baby Jumping Festival

Our journey takes us back to Spain, where the small town of Castrillo de Murcia hosts an event known as “El Colacho” or the “Baby Jumping Festival.” This centuries-old tradition involves men dressed as devils leaping over rows of babies born in the past year. The babies lie on mattresses in the streets, and the act is believed to cleanse them of evil spirits and bring good luck. It’s an event that may leave you wide-eyed and speechless – a reminder of the diverse and fascinating ways cultures celebrate their traditions.

Monkey Buffet Festival

Imagine a festival where the guests of honor are monkeys, and the feast laid out before them is fit for royalty. Welcome to Thailand’s Monkey Buffet Festival in Lopburi. Locals prepare a lavish spread of fruits, vegetables, and specially crafted monkey-shaped treats to honor the monkeys that inhabit the city’s ancient temples. Watching the monkeys feast is a sight that’s equal parts amusing and heartwarming, a reminder of the unique ways in which humans and animals coexist.