In the entire world, there are few better ways to get to know a specific culture than by witnessing how they get down. Sure, you can always move somewhere else and immerse yourself in the day-to-day lives of those people, but for those of us who have jobs, the best way to dive into a new culture is to head to a local festival. Around the world, people of all stripe have poured the heart and soul of their history and religion into a huge party that’s accessible to anyone willing to drop their preconceived notions at the door. For those people hoping to experience the most exciting cultural festivals around the world, here are the best and brightest.
1. La Tomatina
If you’ve ever wanted to experience a food fight on a truly massive scale, then head to Buñol, Spain on the last Wednesday in August, when people from all over the world celebrate Buñol’s patron saint by pelting each other with more than 275,000 pounds of tomatoes. It might only last for an hour or so, but La Tomatina is still worth the trip.
