Customs travel through time by word of mouth and shared experience, becoming living snapshots of a community’s values. Some are heartwarming, others are eyebrow-raising, and a few are downright baffling to outsiders. The ten traditions below mix humour, history and humanity, showing how people find meaning, mark milestones and gather together in memorable ways.
Rocky Mountain Oysters, United States
Despite the name, there is no seafood involved. Rocky Mountain Oysters are deep-fried bull testicles, often sliced, breaded and served with dips. The dish is tied to ranching culture in the American West, where the “use every part” ethos shaped regional cookery. Today you will find them at small-town festivals and on the menus of adventurous restaurants.
Why it intrigues: A classic example of nose-to-tail eating that turns a by-product into a local delicacy.
World Testicle Cooking Championship, Serbia
The town of Ozrem hosts a culinary competition dedicated to offal-based dishes, with chefs preparing creative plates using a variety of animal organs, including testicles. What sounds sensational is, at heart, a celebration of thrift and technique, where nothing is wasted and flavour comes first. Event overview.
Why it intrigues: A playful platform for traditional cooking methods and resourceful gastronomy.
Roswell UFO Festival, United States
Roswell, New Mexico became a byword for extraterrestrial lore after a 1947 incident that sparked decades of debate. The town leans into the legend with parades, costume contests and talks from researchers. Whether you are a believer or a sceptic, it is a lively gathering centred on curiosity and cosmic what-ifs.
Why it intrigues: Community identity built around a mystery that continues to capture imaginations.
Running of the Bulls, Spain
Each July in Pamplona, participants run a narrow course ahead of charging bulls as part of the San Fermín festivities. The tradition is thrilling to watch, yet officials emphasise safety rules and crowd control because injuries and fatalities have been recorded over the years. Spectators often choose balcony viewpoints for a safer perspective.
Why it intrigues: Adrenaline, pageantry and centuries of ritual combine in a uniquely intense spectacle.
“Guys with Horns” Festival, Italy
In Rocca Canterano near Rome, a tongue-in-cheek celebration plays with the ancient symbol of horns, historically associated with romantic misadventure. The festival features theatrical sketches and good-natured self-mockery, turning folklore into cathartic laughter. Background and local lore.
Why it intrigues: A humorous spin on age-old symbolism that brings the village together.
El Colacho, Spain
In the province of Burgos, costumed figures representing devils leap over infants laid on mattresses, a ritual believed to symbolically protect the children from harm. The event blends Catholic and folk traditions, and local organisers coordinate carefully to ensure families and onlookers are safe while the colourful procession unfolds.
Why it intrigues: A vivid fusion of faith, performance and communal blessing.
Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand
In Lopburi, residents prepare sprawling fruit and vegetable displays for the resident macaques, thanking the animals for the tourism they attract. The simian feast makes for unforgettable photos and a lively street-party atmosphere. Festival details.
Why it intrigues: A rare event where wildlife and urban life meet at a shared table.
Hadaka Matsuri, Japan
Known as the “Naked Festival”, Hadaka Matsuri involves thousands of men wearing minimal clothing who jostle to touch sacred objects for luck and purification, with some versions taking place in harsh winter conditions. The atmosphere is energetic, the crowds are huge, and the endurance element is central to the rite.
Why it intrigues: Collective resilience and purification practised at dramatic scale.
Cheese Rolling, England
On Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire, competitors chase a speeding cheese round down a very steep slope, often tumbling in the attempt. The event draws international entrants and dedicated medics who patch up scrapes and sprains. Spectators line the hillside for a chaotic, good-humoured afternoon.
Why it intrigues: A quintessentially British mix of daring, mud and laughter with a dairy prize.
Kanamara Matsuri, Japan
The Kanamara Matsuri in Kawasaki celebrates fertility and protection, with phallic iconography, portable shrines and street processions. Proceeds often support sexual health initiatives, and visitors encounter a blend of reverence, cheekiness and charity in one of Japan’s most photographed spring festivals.
Why it intrigues: A frank, festive approach to themes many cultures treat quietly, tied to community health.
Further Reading
For broader context on how traditions evolve and why communities keep them, explore trusted resources:
BBC Travel and
National Geographic Culture.
Before You Judge, Look Closer
What appears strange from a distance often makes perfect sense within its home setting. These customs reflect resilience, humour, grief, hope and togetherness. They also show how people reuse ingredients, rework legends and repurpose public spaces to make meaning. Travel with curiosity, ask questions respectfully and you will come away with stories as memorable as the rituals themselves.
What Do You Think?
Which of these traditions would you travel to see first, and which surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us about unusual customs you have witnessed.
Keep Exploring
If you enjoyed this list, you might also like:
Ten Festivals Around the World You Have to See to Believe and
Ten Strange Foods People Actually Eat.
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