Strange celebrations

Odd Festivals

Celebrations, contests, gatherings, and traditions that could only happen here.

67 documented festivalsBrowse the festival calendar

Grand Haven Winterfest Cardboard Sled Race

Grand Haven, Michigan

Grand Haven sends homemade cardboard sleds hurtling down Mulligan's Hollow in a winter race where outrageous design matters almost as much as reaching the bottom.

February

Punxsutawney Groundhog Day

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

A top-hatted entourage asks a celebrity groundhog to forecast the end of winter.

February

Trenary Outhouse Classic

Trenary, Michigan

Teams push homemade outhouses through snowy Trenary in a midwinter race.

February

World’s Largest Outhouse Races at Fur Rondy

Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage teams race rolling outhouses as part of the Fur Rondy winter festival.

March

Frogman Festival

Loveland, Ohio

Loveland's cryptid festival celebrates the Frogman legend with speakers, strange-creature art, collectibles, books, exhibits and dozens of themed vendors.

March

Marche du Nain Rouge

Detroit, Michigan

Detroiters parade through the Cass Corridor in costumes and human-powered floats to confront the city's mischievous legendary red dwarf.

March

Sweetwater Jaycees World’s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up

Sweetwater, Texas

Sweetwater's long-running roundup centers on live rattlesnakes, demonstrations and snake-related events alongside a carnival, parade and community festivities.

April

Fouke Monster Festival

Fouke, Arkansas

Fouke gathers Bigfoot researchers, storytellers and fans for talks, vendors and swamp tours centered on the legendary Fouke Monster.

April

Frozen Dead Guy Days

Estes Park, Colorado

Coffin races and costumed revelry celebrate Colorado's famously frozen grandfather.

April

National Cornbread Festival

South Pittsburg, Tennessee

South Pittsburg celebrates skillet cornbread with cooking competitions, tastings, music, vendors, family activities and an entire weekend devoted to Southern baking.

April

North Carolina Pickle Festival

Mount Olive, North Carolina

Mount Olive celebrates pickles with free samples, eating contests, a pickle derby, rides, music, vendors and a downtown spring street festival.

April

Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival

Sopchoppy, Florida

A Florida town celebrates the art of coaxing earthworms out of the ground.