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When it comes to strange, silly, and spectacular, no one throws a party quite like small-town America. From frozen corpses to duct tape runways, these festivals prove that the weirdest trips make the best memories. Pack your sense of humor (and maybe a costume or two) — here are 15 quirky American festivals that belong on your bucket list.
Coffin Racing
Nederland, Colorado hosts Frozen Dead Guy Days each March, honoring a cryogenically frozen man with wild coffin races, frozen turkey bowling, icy plunges, and kooky costumes. It’s a weekend of chilly chaos with a side of macabre humor. Don’t forget your winter gear — or your weirdest outfit — for this offbeat celebration of life, death, and eccentric small-town tradition. Only in Nederland will frozen corpses feel oddly festive.
Roadkill Feast
In Marlinton, West Virginia, chefs turn roadkill into gourmet dishes during the Roadkill Cook-Off. Think squirrel stew, venison chili, and raccoon burgers — all legally sourced. It’s shock cuisine at its finest, with cooking contests, tastings, and local pride on full display. Whether you’re a foodie or just curious, this event is a deliciously odd dive into Appalachian creativity and resourcefulness. You may leave grossed out — or converted.
Testicle Fest
At Clinton, Montana’s infamous “Testy Festy,” the main attraction is deep-fried bull testicles — better known as Rocky Mountain Oysters. The event features cooking contests, live music, wild games, and a party atmosphere that’s anything but shy. It’s a beloved local tradition that draws the bold and the curious. Warning: it’s not for the squeamish, but if you’ve got guts, this quirky celebration might just have yours rolling.
Mosquito Bash
The Great Texas Mosquito Festival in Clute turns an annoying insect into a beloved icon. Expect bug-themed fun: a mascot named Willie, mosquito-calling contests, and plenty of Southern food and music. Kids and adults join in quirky competitions, laugh at giant mosquito props, and enjoy a summer festival with a sting of humor. You’ll swat at mosquitoes — and probably stay for the memories.
Hollerin’ Day
Spivey’s Corner, North Carolina revives the old art of “hollerin’” — loud calls used before telephones. The National Hollerin’ Contest features hilarious, high-volume performances judged on creativity and volume. It’s a mix of comedy, culture, and crowd-pleasing yells. You’ll hear everything from pig calls to folk songs. Whether you holler or just watch, it’s a loud and proud celebration of forgotten country tradition.
Train Mooning
In Laguna Niguel, California, The Mooning of Amtrak invites people to bare their backsides at passing trains. This decades-old event started as a dare and evolved into a mass mooning party with drinks, music, and plenty of exposed humor. Some wear costumes, others show up just to giggle and spectate. It’s silly, rebellious, and completely bizarre — and that’s exactly why people come back every year.
Toad Races
Toad Suck Daze in Conway, Arkansas, despite its strange name, is a wholesome, family-friendly event filled with food, music, and hilarious toad races. Kids pick their favorite amphibians, cheer them on, and learn about local folklore. The name may raise eyebrows, but the festival delivers heartwarming fun with a Southern twist. You won’t suck at enjoying this one — even if you don’t like toads.
Croquet Crazy
Bessemer, Michigan’s Croquet Festival isn’t your grandma’s lawn game. Here, players dress in wild costumes — from top hats to rubber chickens — and compete in costumed croquet tournaments. There’s small-town cheer, lots of laughs, and a healthy dose of silliness. The vibe is playful, the outfits outrageous, and the games oddly intense. It’s tradition with a twist — and style.
Garlic Days
Gilroy, California’s Garlic Festival celebrates the pungent bulb with garlic ice cream, garlic beer, and garlicky dishes galore. It’s one of the most flavorful — and fragrant — festivals in the U.S. With live cooking demos, food booths, and fun competitions, it’s a must for foodies. The aroma lingers long after, but so will the memories. Just don’t forget breath mints.
Fungus Fest
In Crystal Falls, Michigan, the Humungus Fungus Fest honors a 37-acre underground mushroom with mushroom-themed games, costumes, and giant omelets. Locals dress as mushrooms or pizza toppings, and there’s even a mushroom toss. It’s silly, scientific, and surprisingly educational — a celebration of fungi like no other. Spore-lovers unite for this strange and spirited event.
Outhouse Run
Anchorage, Alaska hosts outhouse races where teams build mobile toilets on skis and race them down snowy streets. Participants wear outrageous costumes, name their outhouses, and dash for victory. It’s a mix of engineering, absurdity, and pure winter fun. The event draws spectators who line the streets to cheer on their favorite toilet team. It’s one flush you won’t forget.
Duct Parade
Avon, Ohio celebrates the power of duct tape with a colorful festival featuring duct tape fashion shows, sculpture contests, and a grand parade of floats made entirely from the sticky stuff. It’s the ultimate DIY event where creativity knows no limits. Whether you’re into crafts or just curious, the ingenuity on display is truly tape-tastic. Stick around — you’ll love it.
Bug Party
BugFest in Raleigh, North Carolina turns creepy-crawlies into family fun. There are cockroach races, insect petting zoos, bug-tasting booths, and educational exhibits. It’s gross, weird, and surprisingly delightful. Perfect for kids and curious adults, BugFest lets you get up close with six-legged creatures while learning about ecology. Come for the roaches — stay for the crickets.
Spam Jam
Waikiki, Hawaii embraces its love of Spam with a street festival featuring creative Spam dishes, cooking demos, and quirky costumes. From Spam tacos to Spam sushi, it’s all on the menu. There’s live music, games, and a joyful island vibe. Whether you’re a Spam skeptic or a longtime fan, you’ll find something to smile — and snack — on. It’s quirky, tasty, and totally Hawaiian.
Surfing Santas
Every Christmas Eve in Cocoa Beach, Florida, hundreds of surfers dressed as Santa Claus ride the waves in a tropical holiday spectacle. There’s music, contests, and cheerful chaos on the sand and surf. It’s heartwarming, hilarious, and helps raise money for local charities. Sun, sea, and Santa suits — who needs snow when you’ve got a board and a beard?