Around the world with the strangest holidays to celebrate

Who doesn’t love a good holiday? As we embark on a global journey, we’ll discover that unique holidays are celebrated in every corner of the world. These strange festivities offer a fascinating glimpse into the diverse traditions that make our world an endlessly captivating place to explore.

Let’s delve into these amusing and surprising holidays that are sure to bring a smile to your face.

Fascinating traditions

Some of these holidays may seem strange to outsiders, but for the cultures that celebrate them, they hold significant cultural and historical importance. Let’s explore a few!

La Tomatina: A tomato-filled extravaganza

It all started in 1945 when a street brawl broke out during a festival, and people began throwing tomatoes at each other. Today, this unique cultural practice has evolved into a fully organised event held annually in Buñol, Spain, on the last Wednesday of August.

As with any “fight”, there are a few rules to follow:

• Do not bring hard objects.
• Avoid getting physical or ripping other participants' T-shirts.
• Squash every tomato before throwing it to reduce the impact.
• Stop throwing tomatoes immediately after the second shot is fired.

Honouring life and death: The colourful traditions of Día de los Muertos

Celebrated on November 1 and 2, this Spanish traditional holiday, known as the Day of the Dead, brings family and friends together to honour their deceased loved ones. It’s not as sombre as it might sound – these celebrations often include humorous anecdotes and fond memories of the departed.

While predominantly observed in Mexico, Día de los Muertos is celebrated in many countries with Mexican heritage. Key traditions include creating home altars adorned with the deceased’s favourite foods and beverages and visiting their graves to leave these offerings as gifts.

Feathers fly: The ultimate pillow fight

International Pillow Fight Day is an annual event celebrated globally on the first Saturday of April. People gather in cities worldwide for friendly pillow fights. This quirky tradition originated in 2008 as part of the urban playground movement, promoting fun, social interaction, and stress relief—giving adults a chance to feel like kids again.

Sweet celebration: Dive into National Donut Day

National Donut Day began in 1938 as a fundraiser for The Salvation Army in Chicago. Today, it’s a delightful day celebrated on the first Friday of June, primarily in the United States but also in other countries. Many doughnut shops join the festivities by offering free treats to customers.

Who can resist the temptation of a glazed doughnut? Whether your preference leans towards chocolate, caramel, or strawberry flavours, this holiday is the perfect excuse to indulge in sugary delights.

Celebrate the fun and feelings of World Emoji Day

In a world where communication often involves tiny digital icons, World Emoji Day has become increasingly popular. Held on July 17, the date is inspired by the calendar emoji on iOS, which displays this specific day.

Over the years, World Emoji Day has been marked by notable announcements, including:

• In 2015, Pepsi launched “PepsiMoji” with custom cans and bottles.
• In 2016, Sony Pictures Animation used the day to announce the first cast member of The Emoji Movie.
• In 2018, Kim Kardashian introduced her Kimoji fragrance.
• In 2021, Facebook launched Soundmojis.

Why not join in the celebration and express yourself with your favourite emojis?

Get ready to laugh: National tell a joke day

On August 16, laughter truly becomes the best medicine! Whether you’re a master of puns or love a classic knock-knock joke, this holiday is all about spreading joy and sharing a good laugh.

Celebrated worldwide, this unofficial holiday encourages everyone to practice their stand-up comedy skills. Here’s one of our favourite casino jokes to kick things off:

Here's a little extra for enjoyers of a good old pun:

Time travel awaits: Celebrate Back to the Future Day

Back to the Future Day, observed on October 21, commemorates the date Marty McFly travelled to the past in the iconic film. First celebrated in 2015, this day invites fans to revel in nostalgia and creativity.

Here are a few ways to celebrate:

1. Create a time capsule.
2. Host an “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance party.
3. Channel your inner scientist and experiment with time-travel theories.

Who knows? The future might hold some surprises!

Spread the love: Celebrate World Nutella Day with sweet treats

If you’ve ever tasted Nutella, you’ll understand why it deserves its own holiday. First introduced in Italy in 1964, this hazelnut-cocoa spread has captured hearts worldwide.

World Nutella Day was established on February 5, 2007, by Sara Rosso, an American blogger and Nutella fan. In 2015, Rosso passed the baton to Ferrero, Nutella’s maker, ensuring the tradition continues to grow.

The power of celebration

Holidays, no matter how strange they may seem, are a beautiful expression of culture and tradition. They offer glimpses into the values, beliefs, and history of the people who celebrate them. From tomato fights and pillow battles to sugary indulgences and time-travel tributes, these unique holidays remind us of the creativity and originality that make our world so vibrant.