9 Quirky Autumn Festivals You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Autumn brings with it more than just colorful leaves and cooler weather. Across the world, towns and villages celebrate the season with unusual and often surprising traditions. From caterpillar races to turnip lantern parades, these quirky festivals put a playful spin on fall and highlight just how creative communities can be when it comes to celebrating the season.
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Pumpkin Chuckin’ World Championship (Various Locations, USA)
This event takes the humble pumpkin and turns it into airborne entertainment. Using homemade catapults, trebuchets, and even air cannons, teams hurl pumpkins across open fields to see who can launch theirs the farthest. The spectacle combines engineering creativity with a touch of autumn silliness, making it a favorite for those who like their fall with a bit of flair.
Crowds gather to watch pumpkins soar hundreds of feet through the air, often smashing into orange pulp on impact. Alongside the competition, there are food stalls, live music, and a carnival-like atmosphere. The event is part science fair, part festival, and entirely unforgettable for those who witness it.
Conker Championship (Ashton, Northamptonshire, England)
In this old English tradition, children and adults alike string horse chestnuts, known locally as conkers, and battle to see whose nut survives the longest. Each match involves smashing one conker against another until one cracks or shatters, leaving the sturdier nut victorious. The championship draws international participants who treat the game with both seriousness and nostalgia.
Despite its simplicity, the Conker Championship has become a cherished symbol of autumn in this region. Families make a day of it, enjoying warm drinks and food while cheering on competitors. The event also raises money for local charities, turning a playground pastime into a gathering with lasting impact.
Día de los Ñoquis (Argentina & Uruguay)
On the 29th of every month, families across Argentina and Uruguay share plates of ñoquis, or gnocchi, in a ritual tied to good fortune. The autumn gatherings carry extra warmth, as the hearty pasta dishes bring comfort to cooler days. Tradition dictates placing money under the plate while eating, a gesture thought to invite prosperity.
Restaurants join the celebration by offering special gnocchi menus on this date, and the streets often buzz with the aroma of simmering sauces. It’s a blend of cultural pride and simple joy, reminding locals and travelers alike how food can anchor seasonal rituals. While it happens monthly, the gatherings in fall carry a special charm as the year winds down.
La Tomatina de Otoño (Buñol, Spain)
Although most people know of the famous summer tomato fight in Buñol, a smaller autumn version takes place with a more intimate crowd. Residents and visitors gather to pelt each other with ripe tomatoes, covering the streets in red pulp once again. The cooler weather of autumn makes the event feel different, and locals treat it as a lighter, less crowded encore.
After the tomato tossing, people head to cafés and plazas to share drinks and tapas, keeping the festive spirit alive. The reduced size of the crowd means it feels more like a town party than a global spectacle. Those lucky enough to experience both versions often say the autumn gathering feels closer to the original spirit of community fun.
Tinku Festival (Potosí, Bolivia)
Rooted in Andean traditions, the Tinku Festival involves ritual battles between villagers. Participants meet in town squares or fields to fight, a practice once believed to please the gods and bring fertility to the land. The event takes place in late fall, blending spiritual belief with intense physical competition.
Today, the fighting is more symbolic than violent, though the clashes remain dramatic to watch. Music, dancing, and colorful costumes accompany the battles, making the festival as much about performance as it is about tradition. For outsiders, it can be shocking, but for locals, it’s a meaningful tie to ancestral customs.
Turnip Festival (Richterswil, Switzerland)
Every November, the Swiss town of Richterswil lights up with thousands of carved turnip lanterns. Residents hollow out the root vegetables and carve simple designs, then parade through the streets carrying their glowing creations. The effect is magical, with the town bathed in a warm, flickering light.
Children especially love the procession, and families line the streets to cheer them on. The festival dates back centuries, tied to agricultural traditions of marking the harvest season. Though pumpkins dominate in much of the world, this event shows how turnips once held the same symbolic place in autumn festivities.
Chestnut Festival (Ardèche, France)
In the French region of Ardèche, chestnuts are the star of the season. At the festival, vendors roast them over open flames, filling the air with a smoky aroma that draws in hungry visitors. Beyond food, the celebration includes traditional music, folk dancing, and exhibitions that honor the role of chestnuts in local life.
The event also highlights the craftsmanship tied to chestnut wood and products. Farmers and artisans proudly showcase their harvests and handmade goods. For travelers, it offers an authentic glimpse into the agricultural heritage of rural France.
Chuseok (South Korea)
Chuseok is often compared to Thanksgiving, but beyond the family meals and ancestral rites, the holiday includes unusual autumn folk games. One standout is “ganggangsullae,” a circle dance performed under the harvest moon, where women in traditional dress link hands and sing. Other activities include wrestling competitions and archery, which add a playful edge to the season.
Markets burst with seasonal foods like songpyeon, a half-moon shaped rice cake filled with sweet or nutty ingredients. Families share stories and traditions that tie the present to the past. While widely celebrated, many of its smaller customs remain unfamiliar outside Korea, making it both rich and distinctive.
Black Pudding Throwing Championships (Ramsbottom, England)
Few festivals are as odd as this one, where contestants hurl black puddings at a stack of Yorkshire puddings perched on platforms. The aim is simple: knock down as many as possible with the least number of throws. It’s a playful rivalry between two regions of England, with roots in local lore.
The event draws crowds who cheer loudly for each successful throw. Food stalls sell both black and white puddings, along with other regional treats. It’s part sport, part comedy, and fully rooted in the sense of humor that defines small-town gatherings.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.