Wackiest Festivals Around The World In August

Even though the summer is coming to an end soon there are still some hot festivals occurring throughout the world. This month, from elephants in costumes to snorkeling in a bog, is filled with interesting activities. Here are our top picks for the wackiest festivals around the world in August.

Esala Perahera, Late August, Sri Lanka

Esala Perahera is a grand religious and cultural festival celebrated in Sri Lanka. This 10-day festival is jam-packed with so many different parts. First, there’s the parade with elephants in costumes and participants dancing wildly to the beats of a drum. Then of course there is the smell of incense, and lots of it. This event, which now occurs in Kandy, started hundreds of years ago as a way to honor Buddha and his teeth that were stolen. It is also known as the Festival of the Tooth, as it revolves around the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha which is housed in the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Each night of the festival gets more intense and longer. Esala Perahera can be overwhelming for those who have never been to it, but it’s certainly an experience they will never forget. During the Esala Perahera, a procession of beautifully adorned elephants, traditional dancers, drummers, and flag bearers moves through the streets of Kandy. The main elephant carries a replica of the tooth relic, which is believed to bring blessings and protection to the people. The festival is accompanied by traditional music, dance performances, fire dances, and various cultural rituals.

Henley-On-Todd Regatta, Third Saturday in August, Australia

On the third Saturday in August, participants gather together in Alice Springs and take part in a bunch of crazy competitions in order to raise money for charity. It is a satirical event where participants race in bottomless boats on the dry bed of the Todd River, which is usually devoid of water. The regatta features various unconventional boat races, including the famous “Boat Floating” race where participants run inside their boats and lift them off the ground as if they were floating. This event began in 1962 when a local meteorologist decided to place regattas on one of the dry beds of the Todd River to race as a way to raise money for his local Rotary club. Since there was no water the participants had to carry the regattas. There are about 20 events on race day, including a tug of war, a bathtub derby, sprinting on the beach for the kids, and a boat assembly competition. This festival is a lot of fun for all ages.

Onam, August 18-28, India

This is a harvest festival and New Year celebration all rolled into one. The residents of Thiruvananthapuram gather together during this ten-day festival to celebrate their culture through food, art, gifts and sporting events. It is believed that a legendary figure named King Maveli, returns each year during the festival to bestow his blessings on the community. During this time there is no sadness, only kindness. For some, Onam is similar to Christmas, with a celebration of the rice harvest thrown in. There’s various events that take place such a street performers dressed as tigers, dancing and songs. There is also a nine-course meal called Onasadya that consists mostly of rice dishes.

Burning Man – Black Rock Desert Nevada Late August to early September

Burning Man is an annual event, a week-long arts and culture festival held in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. This area is known for its unique and creative atmosphere. Burning Man started in 1986 and attracts over 70,000 people each year. The festival features a variety of art installations, performances, and workshops. It fosters art, self-expression, community, and radical self-reliance and is all about self-expression and creativity. The weather can vary significantly for this festival; temperatures can reach highs of over 100°F (38°C) during the day, while at night, temperatures can drop below freezing. Dust storms are also common, with strong winds and reduced visibility.

World Bog Snorkeling Championships, Last Saturday in August, Wales

Although not quite a festival, there are a lot of festivities to be had here. The festival is held in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales. The residents of Llanwrtyd come together to watch participants snorkel in a muddy bog race. This event came about in the 1980s to encourage tourists to visit their town by offering wacky events to entertain them. Competitors have to race the 60-yard of trench of peat bog two times. The race is very challenging, and participants must use flippers and a snorkel to breathe. The only items required are flippers, snorkels and goggles or a mask. Those racers who don’t have a lot of endurance can sign up for another race that only requires them to swim the trench once, but they have to do it in costume, which may slow them down. Afterward, participants get the coveted prize of taking a nice, long shower. The weather in Llanwrtyd Wells in August is typically warm and humid, with average temperatures in the mid-70s Fahrenheit.

The bog snorkeling race is a very popular event and attracts thousands of spectators each year. The festival also features events like a fancy dress competition and a hog roast.

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