Underrated Global Festivals: Worth Witnessing for an Unforgettable Experience
Festivals are special occasions to meet with your loved ones and strangers alike. It brings joy and fills the atmosphere with immense love and kindness. Most of the festivals are known to be colorful, full of lights, rhythmic energy, and dancing moments. A festival reflects the tradition of the place where it belongs. But when it comes to the world, each country has its own festival that preserves its old-age values, passing them on to the next generation. Among these festivals, you might be familiar with some of them, but there are many that you might not have ever heard of. To your surprise, these secretive festivals are quite unusual and interesting, and it is worth traveling just to experience them firsthand. To feed your curiosity, we have compiled a list of the major festivals that were once hidden in this world but are no longer. So, without wasting any time, let's explore them.
Significant Festivals taking place in the World Worth Your Trip
Living in a world where diversity is celebrated each day is enough to amaze anyone. But an incredible thing to consider is the different types of festivals that occur in a given part of the world. Moreover, these festivals are coming into the light as the word spreads about them. Delving into the upcoming pointers will enlighten you with the festivals that you will not forget upon attending them:
Cheung Chau Bun Festival
The Cheung Chau Bun Festival takes place on the island of Cheung Chau in Hong Kong. It is a Chinese festival that dates back to the 18th century, when the plague spread across the islands of Cheung Chau, and pirates infiltrated the area. To escape it, Pak Tai, the patron Deity's image, was brought forward by the local fishermen and paraded to drive off the evil spirits. Additionally, the festival takes place from the 5th to the 9th day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar each year. Mainly in April or May, you can witness this festival, which lasts for one week. As a mandatory ritual, all the natives practice vegetarianism until this festival ends. The bun towers are constructed at the Pak Tai Temple. The scene is unique: the tower is about 60 feet tall and fully covered with buns.
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Location: Hong Kong
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Festival begins: April or May
Water Gun Festival
Dealing with the heat might not be the same for the people of the Sinchon district of Seoul as the world does, as they have come to a peculiar idea of beating the heat with a water gun. Yes, you read it correctly, the citizens of South Korea have discovered a fun way to ditch the scorching sun, and in fact, they are using it as a path to play with the water with their loved ones. In recent times, it has become a major part of South Korea to entertain themselves without worrying about the sun. It includes water-battle activities, music performances, DJs, and dance. Choose your water gun, pack your gear, book the flight tickets, and enjoy.
- Location: South Korea
- Festival begins: July
Battle of Oranges
Till now, you might have only used oranges to eat, but what if we tell you that in Italy, a whole carnival revolves around oranges, shocking, right? But this is true. To become a part of this fun-sounding festival, you must arrive at Ivrea, an Italian town. This place has been listed by UNESCO, making it significant for the festival. The festival is all about shooting oranges at another person, and during the festival, an estimated 600,000 kg of oranges are utilized. It is a messy battleground but an ideal destination for those who want to make their trip to Italy a little adventurous. So, there are two groups, one on the chariot and the other on the road, the orange throwers. As the chariot comes to the ground, the orange throwers initiate this festival that lasts for three days.
- Location: Ivrea
- Festival begins: February
Monkey Buffet
Evidence of the Lopburi Monkey Banquet dates back to 1989. It is a festival where people come from different parts of the world to feed the monkeys. From fruits to cakes to candies to vegetables, these monkeys are being offered, and they might weigh between 2,000 and 3,000 kg. Around 2,500 macaques arrive and eat these foods. The major importance of this festival is to bring good luck to people's lives. This is an incredible view of providing different types of food to the monkeys. For the children, it is an amazing experience as they are fond of the monkeys.
- Location: Thailand
- Festival begins: November
Mud Festival
Around 200 Km south of Seoul, South Korea, the mud festival is celebrated in the village of Boryeong. Thus, the Mud festival is also called the Boryeong Mud Festival, which ends on the tenth day after it starts. This festival is held annually, attracting numerous tourists because the mud's properties are good for the skin. For entertainment, tourists' top priorities are mud slides, mud pools, and mud skiing. Apart from these, you can also join the mud wrestling, which will be a one-of-a-kind experience. The mud fireworks at the festival elevate the overall experience. If you are with your friends or your spouse, then you must visit the mud festival with them.
- Location: South Korea
- Festival begins: July
Naked or the Nudity Festival
As the name suggests, this involves people wearing tiny clothes. For instance, socks, bandanas, and loincloths are preferred by the male tourists who want to be a part of this festival. To join this, you need to go to the Inazawa at the Shinto Shrine. It is believed that this has occurred to welcome the luckiest of the year. Soaking the tourists in this icy water is part of it, and they need to fight each other. Earlier, this festival was not open to males, but now it also accepts female participation, subject to a few conditions.
- Location: Inazawa, Japan
- Festival begins: February
Mask Festival
A person who admires frightening-looking costumed masks will find the mask festival at Mohács their one-stop destination. The mask festival is part of a six-day carnival called Busos, during which you can see men on the roads wearing massive woolen cloaks and wooden masks. As the carnival heads towards its end, the Masks festival begins. Before Ash Wednesday, the mask festival concludes. You can cherish the music, dance, parade, and much more. This is one of the festivals that offers a great vibe, making it different from others.
- Location: Mohacs, Southern Hungary
- Festival begins: February
Underwater Music Festival
The Underwater Music Festival lets you explore the world of music beneath the surface. This exceptional combination turns out to be a gem for music enthusiasts and divers alike. The main agenda here is to bring the issue of coral preservation to people's minds. If you are planning a trip to Florida, then this music festival must be on your list of what to do in Florida. The credit for this festival goes to Bill Becker, who is the music director of UMF. He has been running this festival for more than 25 years now, making sure to save the coral habitats. To take the festival to the next level, local artists showcase their talents by playing innovative instruments. Under the water, you can listen to the radio playlists that are prepared before the festival.
- Location: Florida
- Festival begins: July
Conclusion
The world is equipped with festivals that will surely blow your mind. To get adrenaline into your bloodstream, you need to be physically present at that place. Be it the water gun festival, feeding the monkeys at the monkey buffet, throwing oranges at people on the chariot, or running away from a bull, all these festivals ensure you have a mad time. Per year, several tourists appear to cherish their time while exploring these festivals. Before you pack your bags, you are advised to inquire a bit, as this will help you avoid any kind of hurdles in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need to pay for the Water Gun Festival tickets?
The charge for the Water Gun Festival ticket depends on factors such as how long you take to book and the type of event you want to attend.
When does the Running of the Bulls event take place in Pamplona?
The Running of the Bulls takes place during the San Fermin festival in July each year in Pamplona, Spain.
Where does the Boryeong Mud Festival unfold?
The Boryeong Mud Festivals take place in Boryeong village, which is located 200 km from Seoul.
Is the Underwater Music Festival free?
Yes, the Underwater Music Festival in Florida is free for you to attend. But it might be possible that you may have to pay for snorkeling gear, diving, or boat trips.
When did the Lopburi Monkey Banquet or the Monkey Buffet begin?
In 1989, the Lopburi Monkey Banquet, or Monkey Buffet, first took place.
Why is the Naked or the Nudity Festival celebrated?
The naked festival, or nudity festival, is celebrated to bring good luck for the entire year.
Where is the Cheung Chau Bun Festival celebrated?
The Cheung Chau Bun Festival is celebrated in Hong Kong in April or May.
