When people think of festivals, big names like Brazil’s Carnival, Oktoberfest in Germany, or India’s Holi often come to mind. But beyond these famous celebrations, there are incredible hidden festivals across the globe that remain untouched by mass tourism. These events offer a rare glimpse into authentic local traditions, some dating back centuries.
If you’re a traveller who craves unique cultural experiences, here are some of the world’s best-kept secret festivals that you should consider adding to your bucket list.
1. Tsagaan Sar – Mongolia’s Lunar New Year
📍 Where: Mongolia
📅 When: January or February (based on the lunar calendar)
While Chinese New Year is famous worldwide, Mongolia has its own grand celebration known as Tsagaan Sar or “White Moon.” This festival marks the beginning of spring and is a time for families to reunite, pay respects to elders, and perform traditional ceremonies.
What Makes It Special?
- Locals dress in colorful deel (traditional Mongolian attire).
- Sumptuous feasts include buuz (steamed dumplings) and fermented horse milk.
- Families exchange khadag (ceremonial blue silk scarves) as a sign of respect.
- Wrestling, horse racing, and archery competitions take place.
🔹 Why You Should Experience It: You’ll get to live with nomadic families in yurts, ride Mongolian horses, and witness an ancient tradition that remains unchanged for centuries.
2. Takayama Spring Festival – Japan’s Floating Parade of Lanterns
📍 Where: Takayama, Japan
📅 When: April 14-15
Japan’s Takayama Festival is one of the most beautiful but lesser-known traditional events in the country. Held in the historical city of Takayama, this festival celebrates the arrival of spring with intricate floats that date back to the 17th century.
What Makes It Special?
- Magnificent floats, known as yatai, are decorated with gold leaf and mechanical puppets.
- At night, the floats are illuminated with lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere.
- Shinto priests perform rituals, while traditional music fills the air.
🔹 Why You Should Experience It: Unlike the crowded cherry blossom festivals, this event allows visitors to witness Japan’s heritage in a serene, picturesque setting.
3. Soyal – The Hopi Winter Solstice Ceremony
📍 Where: Arizona, USA
📅 When: December 21
One of the oldest Native American festivals, Soyal is a winter solstice ceremony celebrated by the Hopi tribe in Arizona. It is a deeply spiritual event meant to welcome the return of the sun and renew life for the coming year.
What Makes It Special?
- Kachina dancers (spiritual messengers) perform sacred rituals.
- The Hopi elders conduct purification ceremonies and storytelling sessions.
- Participants create intricate sand paintings and prayer sticks.
🔹 Why You Should Experience It: Unlike commercialized festivals, this event gives insight into the mystical beliefs and traditions of one of the oldest indigenous tribes in North America.
4. Jarramplas – Spain’s Tomato Battle with Turnips
📍 Where: Piornal, Spain
📅 When: January 19-20
Everyone knows Spain’s La Tomatina, but have you heard of Jarramplas? Instead of throwing tomatoes, locals in Piornal hurl turnips at a man dressed as a demon. This tradition, rooted in ancient folklore, represents the banishment of evil spirits.
What Makes It Special?
- A brave volunteer wears a devil costume with colorful ribbons and a giant horned mask.
- Villagers throw thousands of turnips at him as he runs through the streets.
- Traditional music and dance performances accompany the event.
🔹 Why You Should Experience It: It’s a bizarre yet exhilarating festival that showcases Spain’s deep-rooted legends and communal spirit.
5. Up Helly Aa – Scotland’s Viking Fire Festival
📍 Where: Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland
📅 When: Last Tuesday of January
Scotland’s Up Helly Aa is the ultimate Viking festival, featuring massive fire-lit parades and the dramatic burning of a longship. It’s a tribute to the island’s Norse heritage.
What Makes It Special?
- Over 1,000 torchbearers, dressed as Vikings, march through the streets.
- The festival ends with the spectacular burning of a Viking ship.
- Feasts, music, and storytelling continue late into the night.
🔹 Why You Should Experience It: It’s the closest thing to time-traveling back to the Viking Age, complete with flaming torches and warrior chants.
6. The Monkey Buffet Festival – Thailand’s Feast for Monkeys
📍 Where: Lopburi, Thailand
📅 When: Last Sunday of November
In Lopburi, Thailand, locals hold a festival where thousands of monkeys are treated to a grand feast as a form of gratitude and good luck. The event celebrates the long-standing bond between humans and these playful primates.
What Makes It Special?
- More than 4,000 monkeys feast on fruits, cakes, and candies.
- Locals believe feeding monkeys brings good karma.
- Tourists can safely interact with the monkeys (but watch your belongings!).
🔹 Why You Should Experience It: It’s an unusual festival where animals are the honored guests, making it a truly one-of-a-kind cultural experience.
7. Naadam Festival – Mongolia’s Ancient “Nomadic Olympics”
📍 Where: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
📅 When: July 11-13
Known as Mongolia’s Three Manly Games, the Naadam Festival is a grand celebration of Mongolian warrior culture, featuring wrestling, horse racing, and archery.
What Makes It Special?
- Traditional wrestling matches, where the loser must walk under the winner’s arm as a sign of respect.
- Horse races where child jockeys as young as 5 years old compete in long-distance races.
- Archery competitions inspired by Mongolia’s warrior history.
🔹 Why You Should Experience It: It’s like stepping into the era of Genghis Khan, witnessing traditions that have remained unchanged for centuries.
Final Thoughts
These secret festivals offer an authentic, untouched, and deeply cultural experience that mainstream tourism often overlooks. Whether it’s witnessing Viking warriors in Scotland, celebrating with Mongolian nomads, or dodging turnips in Spain, these events provide a rare glimpse into the world’s most fascinating traditions.
Which of these festivals excites you the most? Let us know in the comments! And if you’ve attended any rare festivals, we’d love to hear about your experience.
TRAVELZILLA 