Europe’s Weirdest Events

Well it may come as no surprise to hear that the UK has a whole host of weird and wonderful events, on our scale it’s the country with the highest (although there are surely plenty more that there are plenty in Europe we don’t hear so much about…) Here’s some of our favourites:

 

 

 

Cheese Rolling Festival, Gloucestershire, UK

 

Imagine hurling yourself down a ridiculously steep hill in Gloucestershire, all for a wheel of cheese. That’s Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling! The glory of capturing that 8lb Double Gloucester is worth the risk for these fearless competitors. The cheese has a 1 second head start and the first person to reach the bottom of the hill wins the cheese. The race is thought to have started in pre-Roman times!

 

 

 

Llanwrtyd Wells Bog Snorkelling Championships, Wales, UK

 

Imagine a water-filled trench carved through a murky bog. Now picture hundreds of people in snorkels and flippers, propelling themselves through this unusual course. This is the scene at the annual Bog Snorkelling Championships in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales. It’s a testament to human eccentricity and a truly unique spectacle. It’s hugely popular, and the same town also hosts a race against horses if the bog snorkel wasn’t quirky enough. Amazingly – the horses don’t always win!

 

 

 

World Worm Charming Championships, Cheshire, UK

 

Forget flower crowns and techno music. The weirdest festival in Europe has got to be the World Worm Charming Championships in Willaston, England. Yep, you read that right. Picture this: a primary school field, a bunch of people vibrating and playing music to the ground, and hundreds of worms wriggling to the surface. It’s as bonkers as it sounds, and somehow utterly captivating. The current record? A mind-blowing 567 worms in 30 minutes! Videos on youtube of this festival really brightened up a Tuesday afternoon in January in the Vento office. I feel like we may have to pay it a visit in 2025 – would be our dream to insure this event!

 

It’s not just us Brits! The rest of Europe have some pretty wacky things going on, with Spain and Finland as our 2nd and 3rd place in the weird events scale.

 

 

La Tomatina, Buñol, Spain

 

Ever wanted to be part of the world’s biggest food fight? Head to Buñol, Spain for La Tomatina! This epic tomato battle started in the 1940s and has grown into a legendary festival that draws thousands of tomato-chucking enthusiasts every year.

 

 

Baby Jumping Festival, Castrillo de Murcia, Spain

 

In the heart of Spain, a unique and somewhat startling tradition unfolds during the Corpus Christi celebrations. In Castrillo de Murcia, the annual Baby Jumping Festival, or El Colacho, sees men clad in devil costumes leaping over rows of infants laid out on mattresses. This centuries-old ritual, with its roots in Catholic beliefs, is a vibrant display of local culture and a testament to the enduring power of tradition.

 

 

Wattolympiade (aka Mud Olympics), Brunsbüttel, Germany

 

Prepare to get muddy! The Mud Olympics in Brunsbüttel, Germany is a wild and wacky event where sports meet mud pits. Teams from around the world slip, slide, and wrestle their way through volleyball, football, and tug-of-war matches, all while coated in mud. It’s a messy spectacle with a big heart, raising money for cancer charities.

 

 

World Body Painting Festival, Klagenfurt, Austria

 

Here, the human body becomes a canvas for extraordinary creativity, as talented artists use paint, makeup, and special effects to create stunning masterpieces. The festival is a vibrant explosion of colour, music, and energy, where you can witness the incredible skill and imagination of body-painting artists from across the globe.

 

 

Wife Carrying World Championships, Sonkajärvi, Finland

 

With roots in the 19th century, the Wife Carrying World Championships in Sonkajärvi, Finland, is a quirky test of teamwork and strength. Couples race through an obstacle course, one partner carrying the other. And it’s not just for men anymore – women can carry their partners too! The winning couple takes home glory and a unique prize: the carried partner’s weight in beer.

 

 

Air Guitar World Championships, Oulu, Finland

 

In Oulu, Finland, the world’s best air guitarists gather to unleash their inner rock stars. With epic solos, killer stage presence, and absolutely no instruments, these competitors prove that music can be made with pure imagination (and maybe a little bit of head-banging).

 

 

La Pourcailhade (Pig Festival), Trie-sur-Baïse, France

 

La Pourcailhade, held in the charming town of Trie-sur-Baïse, France, is a joyous celebration of all things porcine. Imagine the excitement of piglet races, the delicious aroma of sausages filling the air, and the contestants vying for the title of best pig impersonator. This unique festival is a delightful blend of tradition, humour, and community spirit, honouring the town’s rich agricultural history.

 

 

Battle of the Oranges, Ivrea, Italy

 

Dating back to the 12th century, in Ivrea, Italy, a rebellion against a tyrannical duke is reenacted every year with the Battle of the Oranges. Nine teams of orange-throwers battle it out against those in horse-drawn carriages, all in the name of tradition and a good citrusy fight. Want to join in? Grab a red hat and prepare for a juicy battle!

 

 

Festival of the Kukeri, Bulgaria

 

Experience the ancient magic of Bulgaria’s Kukeri Festival! Also known as Surva, this vibrant tradition sees people donning elaborate masks and costumes to chase away evil spirits. It’s a captivating blend of folklore, dance, and celebration.

 

We’re really lucky in Europe that we have so many fascinating cultures and traditions that are well preserved and recognised still today. If you’re planning a trip to Europe, or fancy something a little different here in the UK, be sure to check out one of these unusual events!