15 Incredible World Events That Are So Unique, They Sound Made Up

In the hills above Nederland, Colorado, (30 minutes west of Boulder) rests the frozen body of Grandpa Bredo. While he died in 1989, his body has remained frozen in time thanks to nearly four years spent in liquid nitrogen at a California cryonics facility and decades in a dry ice–laden shed in this small Colorado town. Each year — in the dead of winter, of course — people gather for a festival celebrating the town’s resident “dead guy.” There’s coffin racing, polar ice plunges, frozen salmon tossing, and plenty of costumes, because why not?

When fall comes to the tiny town of Banner Elk, North Carolina, woolly worms (Isabella tiger moth larvae) take to the streets. And during their high season — when the festival website says you might see “dozens or even hundreds in one day” — everyone gathers to celebrate the fuzzy little guys...and to watch them race. Yes, you read that right, in 2019 over 20,000 people descended on Banner Elk to watch worms race up a 3-foot-long piece of string. The winning worm gets all the glory, while their “owner” walks home with $1,000.

Every year in Ashbourne, England, athletes gather to showcase their skills in the lesser-known sport of toe wrestling. Seriously. Competition is fierce in this tournament-style event, which pits one toe against another in an all-out battle. Whoever can pin down the other player’s toe for three seconds is the winner — although there are often three rounds and a changing of feet (right foot plays first, then left, then back to right). Toe-tally amazing.

If you want something different, how about a festival where men in devil costumes jump over rows of actual babies? It happens every year (really) in Castrillo de Murcia, a village three hours north of Madrid. While it may sound bizarre, the age-old ritual (it dates back to the early 1600s) is done to supposedly cleanse the babies of sin. Known as “El Colacho,” parents willingly place their newly born children on pillows in a public street to be leaped over by men in masks and bright yellow costumes. According to National Geographic, no injuries have been reported, but the tradition is still a topic of debate among the Catholic Church.

This winter event is all about creativity (styling your hair in wild ways takes work!), freezing temperatures, and cozy hot spring water (yes, please). To win big, all you have to do is visit Takhini Hot Springs when the temperature drops below -20°C (-4°F) during the contest period, typically December through March. Hop in the water, dunk your head, and let the freeze begin.

Every year the island of Cheung Chau hosts a giant celebration around...steamed buns. According to locals, this festival started after the island was hit with a plague: Residents set up an altar outside Pak Tai temple and paraded through the streets so the Taoist god would chase the plague and evil spirits away. These days it's a celebration of well-being, peace, and of course "lucky buns" (ping on bao). For many, the highlight of the event is the bun-scrambling competition, which sees people attempt to climb the 45-foot-tall bun-covered towers and grab as many lucky buns as they can.

Chances are you’ve heard of ice carving and pumpkin carving, but what about radish carving? Each year, at Noche de Rabanos (Night of the Radishes) in Oaxaca, Mexico, talented radish carvers become front and center, creating dioramas that reflect anything from local wildlife to Mayan imagery and the nativity scene.