Every city has its signature event—maybe it’s a jazz festival, a flower show, or a heritage parade. But some places take things to wonderfully weird extremes.
Whether rooted in folklore, community spirit, or just pure silliness, these ten festivals (five local, five international) promise joyful surprises in the most unlikely of places.
South Africa’s most unexpected city festivals
Picture/LekkeSlaap
Cape Town International Kite Festival – Cape Town
Theme: Mental health awareness meets sky-high art
Every October, Cape Town’s skies become a canvas of colour as kites of all kinds take flight. From massive dragons to delicate geometric patterns, kites of every shape and size dance on the wind. But there’s a heart behind the spectacle—it’s all in support of Cape Mental Health. With international participants and a peaceful, playful atmosphere, this festival offers both whimsy and purpose.
Knysna Oyster Festival – Knysna
Picture/Knysna Oyster Festival
Theme: Shellfish and sport
A winter coastal retreat with a twist: Knysna’s Oyster Festival fuses fitness and feasting. There are trail runs, mountain bike races, and plenty of molluscs on the menu. It’s a curious combo that somehow works, inviting everyone from elite athletes to oyster-loving families to indulge in this oddly addictive blend of endorphins and ocean flavour. The next festival is set for July 13, 2025.
AfrikaBurn – Tankwa Karoo
Picture/Burning Man Journal
Theme: Radical self-expression
More than a festival, AfrikaBurn is a temporary city of art, fire, and imagination. In the heart of the Tankwa desert, people build massive installations, perform spontaneous theatre, and give everything away—literally. There’s no buying or selling here. The only currency is creativity. Think of it as a dusty, distinctly South African cousin of Burning Man—with a lot more soul and stars. The festival takes place annually between the end of April to early May.
Swartland Olive Festival – Riebeek Kasteel
Picture/Swartland Wine and Olives
Theme: Small-town Mediterranean charm
Tucked in the Swartland, Riebeek Kasteel may seem like a sleepy town, but come September. It turns into South Africa’s unofficial capital of olives. Farmers open their presses, cellars flow with Swartland wine, and the streets buzz with local food stalls, jazz bands, and olive-themed everything. It’s unexpectedly sophisticated—and a great excuse for a weekend road trip. The next event is set for 27-28 September 2025.
Capital Craft Beer Festival – Pretoria
Picture/Capital Craft
Theme: Craft beer and live beats
In a city better known for politics than parties, Pretoria surprises with one of the country’s liveliest beer events. The Capital Craft Beer Festival blends South Africa’s top craft brewers with gourmet food stalls and multiple music stages. Held around June at the scenic Pretoria National Botanical Garden, it’s a frothy, festive day where visitors sample dozens of small-batch brews, soak up live music, and enjoy a distinctly local vibe—far from the mass-market feel of global beer fests.
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Unexpected festival gems from around the world
Picture/Mental Bomb
La Tomatina – Buñol, Spain)
Theme: Tomato warfare
Once a humble food fight between friends in 1945, La Tomatina now draws thousands to the streets of Buñol for a no-holds-barred tomato-throwing frenzy. For one glorious hour, 150,000 overripe tomatoes fly through the air. The mess is legendary, the fun unmatched—and yes, goggles are advised. The next La Tomatina is set to take place on August 27, 2025.
World toe wrestling championships – Wenlock Edge, England
Picture/BBC
Theme: Quirky competitive sport
Born in a pub in the ’70s, this offbeat event pits opponents against one another, using only their toes. It sounds silly (it is), but it’s taken surprisingly seriously, with champions, rules, and dedicated fans. Proof that not all sports need equipment—just strong toes and a sense of humour. The next championship is set for August 30, 2025.
Kanamara Matsuri – Festival of the Steel Phallus – Kawasaki, Japan
Picture/Fodor Travel Guide
Theme: Fertility and folklore
This eye-popping parade features candy, floats, and shrines all shaped like… You guessed it. The origins lie in Shinto fertility rituals and legends of protection against disease. Despite the risqué visuals, it’s a family-friendly, respectful celebration that raises awareness for sexual health and gender inclusivity—surprising, sacred, and unashamed. The festival usually takes place in the first week of April.
Fiesta de Cascarónes – San Antonio, Texas
Picture/VIDA San Antonio
Theme: Confetti-fuelled street party
Part of the larger Fiesta San Antonio, this egg-cellent tradition involves cracking cascarones—hollowed eggs filled with confetti—over people’s heads for good luck. The result? A street-wide explosion of colour, joy, and laughter. With roots in Mexican and Chinese culture, it’s both beautifully chaotic and deeply festive. This festival takes place annually around early May.
Wife carrying world championships – Sonkajärvi, Finland
Picture/Trionium
Theme: Obstacle-course absurdity
One of the few sporting events where strategy includes piggyback technique, the “Estonian hold,” and water hazard timing. What began as a tribute to a legendary bandit (yes, really) is now an international contest, where the prize is the wife’s weight in beer. It’s oddly charming and fiercely competitive—a marriage of fitness and fun. The next event is set for 4-5 July 2025.
Festivals don’t have to be serious, conventional, or even entirely practical to be worth attending. From tomato battles and confetti eggs to desert art cities and olive tastings, these unexpected festivals prove that joy can come from the strangest of places. The only question is: which one will you book a flight or road trip for first?
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