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The St. Lazarus procession, Cuba -

The St. Lazarus procession is one of Cuba’s largest and most colorful annual religious events. In devotion to the saint, ahead of his day of celebration on December 17, thousands of Cubans walk barefoot along the long stretch leading to the small El Rincón church on the outskirts of Havana. The pilgrims crawl forward, some barely moving across the rough ground, their hands, knees, and elbows raw. Some devotees go to extremes, crawling on their stomachs, facing backward, or tying cinder blocks to their feet to slow down.

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Caber Toss, Scotland -

The Caber Toss is a traditional Highland sport that involves competitors throwing a 17-foot- (5-meter) long log. In contrast to modern sports, the goal is about the position the pole lands in rather than the distance it travels.

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Wife-carrying race, Finland -

This unique event is said to have originated from a legend about a thief who stole food and women from villages in the late 19th century. Today,  male competitors race through an obstacle course while carrying a female teammate.

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

A 7 to 9-pound (3 to 4-kilogram) wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is sent rolling down Cooper’s Hill, which is 200 yards (180 meters) long. Competitors race after it, and the first person over the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese.

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Boot tossing, Finland -

Boot tossing is a traditional Finnish sport where participants compete to throw a boot as far as possible. It's believed to have originated from rural Finnish communities as a way to pass the time and showcase strength and skill.

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Carnival of Ivrea, Italy -

The Carnival of Ivrea commemorates a medieval revolt against tyrannical rulers. Participants divide into teams representing the commoners and the ruling class, and engage in a three-day, orange-throwing battle, symbolizing the struggle for freedom.

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Giant Omelette Festival, France -

The Giant Omelette Festival in Bessières, France, is a culinary celebration where locals gather to cook and share an omelette made with 15,000 eggs. Legend has it that Napoleon Bonaparte, while visiting the area, enjoyed his eggs so much that he asked that a giant omelette be prepared for his troops.

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Midsummer Day, Lithuania -

Midsummer Day, or Joninės in Lithuanian, dates back to pagan times. It takes place on June 24 to celebrate the longest day of the year. Bonfires symbolize the sun, and traditional folk songs and dances are performed throughout the day and night.

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Children smoking for Epiphany, Portugal -

In the Portuguese village of Vale do Salgueiro, locals celebrate Epiphany, a Christian holiday, with a procession, music, wine—and giving children cigarettes! The tradition of children lighting up has existed for so long that no one can remember where it came from, or what it is meant to symbolize.

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Race for the cross, Romania -

On Epiphany Day in Romania, a wooden cross is thrown into the Danube River, and young men dive into the icy waters to retrieve it. The one who retrieves the cross is believed to receive a year of good luck.

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Bathtub Regatta, Belgium -

This traditional event involves a fleet of creatively decorated, floating bathtubs. The unique crafts compete in a one-kilometer (0.62-mile) race down the Meuse River every August 15, and prizes are awarded for the most beautifully decorated tubs and those that best correspond to the annual theme.

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Flag throwing, Italy -

To mark special occasions in Tuscany, street parades feature flag throwing, a traditional art form dating back to medieval times. Performers execute choreographed twirls and tosses with large flags, showcasing precision and skill.

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Thaipusam Festival, South Asia -

The Thaipusam Festival is a vibrant Hindu celebration observed in Malaysia, Singapore, and India every year between January 14 and February 14. Part of the celebration includes devotees piercing their bodies with hooks and skewers as acts of devotion and thanksgiving.

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Coal walking, China -

In China, there is a tradition of soon-to-be fathers carrying their pregnant wives barefoot over burning coals. This tradition is said to ensure a successful pregnancy.

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Witches Night, Czech Republic -

Each year, on the evening of April 30, Czechs come together to build a bonfire and burn an effigy of the witch that kept winter around for so long, marking the end of the cold weather.

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National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation, USA -

The National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation takes place during the week of American Thanksgiving. The President of the United States officially pardons a live turkey, sparing it from being slaughtered for Thanksgiving dinner.

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Rouketopolemos, Greece -

Rouketopolemos is a traditional Easter celebration held in the town of Vrontados. Rival churches Agios Markos and Panagia Erithiani, situated on opposite hillsides, engage in a fireworks battle. Participants launch homemade rockets, aiming to hit the bell tower of the opposing church, while church services are still ongoing!

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Groundhog Day, USA -

On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog emerges from his burrow in Pennsylvania. If he sees his shadow, it's believed six more weeks of winter are in store.

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La Tomatina, Spain -

On the last Wednesday of August, in the town of Buñol, people throw tomatoes at each other in the streets. It’s unsure how the tradition started, but some say it originated from a spontaneous food fight that broke out among young people in the mid-20th century.

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El Colacho, Spain -

Since 1620, men in the town of Castrillo de Murcia have dressed as devils and leaped over rows of infants placed on mattresses in the street. The festival symbolizes a cleansing of sin, and offers protection for the babies.

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Night of the Radishes, Mexico -

On December 23 in Oaxaca, Mexico, artisans carve intricate sculptures out of large radishes. These sculptures, known as nacimientos, depict scenes from nativity stories, traditional Mexican folklore, and local legends.

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La Partita a Scacchi, Italy -

In September, the town of Marostica in Italy hosts a medieval-style festival called LA Partita a Scacchi—a chess game played with living figures! Introduced in 1954, the Partita helped to reestablish Marostica’s civic identity after World War II.

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The Puck Fair, Ireland -

The Puck Fair Festival is a three-day, annual event in Killorglin, County Kerry, between August 10 and 12. It is one of Ireland’s oldest fairs and features the crowning of a wild mountain goat as "King Puck," plus parades, music, and festivities.

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Maypole, Austria -

In Austria, a tall, decorated pole called the maypole is erected on May 1, signifying the arrival of spring. The maypole is adorned with colorful ribbons, flowers, and symbols representing local traditions and folklore.

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Congratulating the entire family on one person's birthday, Netherlands -

In the Netherlands, it’s tradition to congratulate the entire family when one member celebrates their birthday. This tradition reflects the close-knit nature of Dutch families, and the importance placed on familial bonds and unity.

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Russefeiring, Norway -

Each year, teenagers on the cusp of graduating from high school celebrate russefeiring, a month-long celebration centered around party buses and wild challenges. The celebration is a rite of passage for Norwegian youngsters, marking the end of their high school education and the transition to adulthood.

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Cinnamon throwing, Denmark -

In Denmark, if you are unmarried when you turn 25, expect to be doused in cinnamon! The tradition dates back hundreds of years to when spice salesmen would stay single because they traveled so often.

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Festival of Scrambled Eggs, Bosnia -

Cimburijada, or the "Festival of Scrambled Eggs," is celebrated on the first day of spring in the Bosnian town of Zenica. Residents gather at the banks of the Bosna River and celebrate the turn of the season with a communal meal of scrambled eggs.

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Hair freezing contest, Canada -

This annual competition involves participants sitting in a hot spring and sculpting their wet hair. Due to the cold air, the hair freezes after about a minute. The winner of the best frozen hairstyle wins a CAD$2,000 cash prize.

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Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand -

Each year, the people of Lopburi come together to celebrate with a lavish feast for monkeys, featuring mountains of fruits, vegetables, and treats, honoring them as sacred animals in a unique cultural spectacle.

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Polterabend, Germany -

In Germany, the day before a wedding, stoneware and porcelain is smashed by friends and family in order to chase away evil spirits. The shards are traditionally swept up by the newly married couple.

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Mahakumbh Mela, India -

Mahakumbh Mela is the largest religious festival in the world. Celebrated once every 12 years, this Hindu festival attracts millions of devoted followers from around the globe, who arrive in droves, singing, dancing, and playing instruments along the way. It takes places where the rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati meet, and it is believed that by submerging yourself in the confluence of these sacred and mythical waters, you will be cleansed of sin.

Sources: (Euronews) (BBC) (Sky News) (National Geographic) 

See also: Discover India: a country rich in ancient traditions and culture

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