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La Tomatina, Buñol, Spain -

Held at the end of August every year, La Tomatina is arguably the world's biggest food fight. Over 40,000 people attend the festival each year, which makes it a huge tourist attraction.  

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Chinchilla Melon Festival, Queensland, Australia -

If you've always wanted to try melon skiing, or try any other melon-related activity (including an eating competition), then this is the festival for you! The program also includes a parade, a beach party, and of course, there will be markets and lots of fun family activities.

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Maine Lobster Festival, Rockland, Maine, US -

This annual seafood festival is held over five days during the first weekend of August. It features dozens of events and of course, the opportunity to eat delicious lobster dinners and all things lobster, including lobster rolls, lobster mac and cheese, and lobster salad, to name a few.

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Tokyo Ramen Show, Tokyo, Japan -

The Tokyo Ramen Show, aka Tokyo Ramen Festa, gathers 40 vendors from around Japan in the capital each year. Japanese food lovers will find a wide variety of ramen styles to sample.

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Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany -

Oktoberfest is usually synonymous with beer drinking, but food is also a big part of the celebration. From massive pretzels to typical German dishes, Oktoberfest is the place to drink, eat, and have a great time!

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Gilroy Garlic Festival, Gilroy, California, USA -

The Gilroy Garlic Festival began in 1979 and is now the biggest garlic festival in the world. Expect live music, a golf tournament, a rodeo, and of course, lots of delicious food!

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Dragon Boat Festival, China -

This traditional Chinese holiday is the perfect opportunity to sample zongzi: rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves. 

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Night of the Radishes, Oaxaca, Mexico -

This annual event celebrated on December 23 is all about radishes. Expect great cuisine and great art, including elaborately carved radish sculptures.

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Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, Jeonju Hanok Village, South Korea -

This annual food festival revolves around the popular Korean dish bibimbap. There are food competitions, games, live music, a night market, and of course, lots of food!

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Mid-Autumn Festival, China and others -

The Mid-Autumn Festival, aka the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, has been celebrated in Chinese culture for over 3,000 years. During this harvest festival, you can sample lots of delicious foods, including traditional mooncakes.

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Galway International Oyster Festival, Ireland -

Ever since 1954, the city of Galway has become a mecca for seafood lovers. There is plenty of delicious food, as well as entertainment, including the World Oyster Opening Championships.

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National Cherry Festival, Traverse City, Michigan, USA -

The National Cherry Festival is held in Traverse City, also known as the Cherry Capital of the World. Here you can find all things cherry, from foods to drinks. Visitors can expect lots of entertainment, including parades, live music, and fireworks. 

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Taste of Chicago, Illinois, US -

One of the most famous food festivals in the US, Taste of Chicago attracts more than two million visitors each year. There are dozens of food vendors to choose from and plenty of entertainment too. 

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Salon du Chocolat, Paris, France -

Launched in 1996, the annual Salon du Chocolat brings together some of the world's best chocolatiers. This is a must-visit for any chocolate lover!

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Carnival of Ivrea, Ivrea, Italy -

The 'Battle of the Oranges' takes place during the Carnival of Ivrea, a festival in the city of Ivrea in northern Italy. While the massive food fight is reserved for locals only, visitors can still watch and enjoy the show. 

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Giant Omelette Celebration, Bessières, France -

Every Easter, around 15,000 eggs are used to make a giant omelet in Bessières, France. If you happen to live across the pond, you can also experience a giant omelet celebration in Abbeville, Louisiana. 

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Olney Pancake Race, Olney, Buckinghamshire, UK -

Traditionally held on Shrove Tuesday, the race can be traced back to 1445, making it one of the oldest in England. If you're visiting simply for the food, you can experience the Pancake Race Day Breakfast. 

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Monkey Buffet Festival, Lopburi, Thailand -

Every year, the local monkey population has the chance to really indulge in a huge banquet. The idea is to entertain visitors too, so why not join the party?

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Hokitika Wildfoods Food Festival, Hokitika, New Zealand -

This food festival held in Hokitika, a town on the west coast of the South Island, lures visitors with the most unusual foods. By unusual we mean foods like lamb's testicles or huhu grubs (beetle larvae). Are you up for the challenge?

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Maslenitsa, Russia/Ukraine/Belarus -

The Maslenitsa festival is an Eastern Slavic holiday usually celebrated at the end of February. The highlight is the blini, a traditional type of pancake, often served with butter, honey, or sour cream. Of course, there are more traditional foods you can sample during the week-long celebration.

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Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake, Gloucestershire, England -

If chasing a cheese downhill is your idea of fun, you will have plenty of it at this event! Of course, you will also be able to actually eat some cheese too. And if you're worried about wasting foods, it has been years since the real cheese was replaced by a replica made of foam.

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Haro Wine Festival, Spain -

The Batalla de Vino (Battle of Wine) is one of the highlights of this festival in the town of Haro in the La Rioja region. 

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International Alba White Truffle Fair, Italy -

This food festival celebrates the region's white truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico). There are cooking classes, dinners, wine tasting, as well as exhibitions, music, and sports events. 

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Sarlat Truffle Festival, Sarlat-la-Canéda, France -

The Périgord black truffle is the star of this festival, so if you want a taste of "black gold" and good wine, this is the festival for you. 

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Aspen Food & Wine Classic, Aspen, Colorado, US -

The Colorado Mountains are the perfect backdrop for this culinary experience. Held for three days in June, visitors can attend cooking demonstrations and workshops, and of course sample delicious food and wine. 

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Lyon Beer Festival, France -

Lyon Bière Festival is the perfect event to sample a number of craft beers and ciders from around the world. And of course, food is also present. 

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Pahiyas Festival, Lucban, Philippines -

This harvest festival held in May is the perfect opportunity to sample local foods like the traditional Filipino noodle dish, pancit habhab.  

Sources: (Amazing Food & Drink) (Food Network) (Home Quirer) (Best Life) 

See also: Cooking using marinades

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