La Tomatina is a world-famous event where the small town of Buñol turns into a giant arena for a one-hour tomato fight. The battle begins after someone climbs a greased pole to grab a ham, triggering a chaotic mess with over 150 tons of tomatoes. Thousands of people join this unique tradition, throwing tomatoes until the streets turn into a red sea of tomato pulp.

Documentation in progress.

Documentation in progress.

The Sepik River Crocodile Festival is a major cultural and environmental celebration held in Ambunti, Papua New Guinea, dedicated to honoring the crocodile, which is revered by the Sepik people as a totemic ancestor. Its main attractions are the dramatic traditional sing-sings, where various tribes perform elaborate masked dances in stunning body paint, and a vibrant display of intricate wood carvings that showcase the region’s rich artistic heritage.

The Mumbai Ganesh Chaturthi Idol Festival is a gigantic, ten-day event marking the birthday of the elephant god, Lord Ganesha, featuring thousands of massive idols built by artisans and communities to invite the deity’s presence. On the final day these large idols are moved in major processions throughout the city until they reach the shores of the Arabian Sea. Here, the idols are thrown into the sea, symbolizing the god’s return to nature’s elements.

The Lisbon Iberian Mask Festival is an annual cultural event that brings ancestral pagan rituals from rural Portugal and Spain to the capital. Its primary focus is the large-scale parade featuring hundreds of masked characters known as caretos, who perform ancient rituals in colorful wool outfits. The event also includes a dedicated showcase for regional food and handmade crafts from the Iberian Peninsula.