A friend of mine from Porto told me about the São João Festival that takes place every june in Porto's old town center.
Here is a description found online:
This is the biggest festival on the Porto calendar, and one of Europe's liveliest street parties. There is a religious element to the festival, but it is first and foremost a huge party that attracts people from all over the country to Porto's old town centre - a UNESCO World Heritage Site that makes a stunning background for the revelries. Loud music pumps up from huge amplifiers set up on the main square, the smell of sardines being grilled on makeshift barbecues fills the streets, lit up balloons eerily go up in the summer evening sky, and boats ply the river with their loads of merry locals and tourists keen to get the best spot for the main event - the spectacular firework display. Afterwards revellers take to the narrow streets of the old town armed with plastic hammers and wild garlic stalks, banging each other on the head - a tradition whose origins nobody seems to remember, but which is fervently continued every year. The centre of the action then shifts to the beaches on the Douro estuary for a beach party that usually lasts well into the early hours.
My friend told me that banging each other on the head supposedly is to knock out the evil inside us 😊
Does anyone else know of any relatively unknown festivals?
Reply to this OK, I've just read the rules, and I'm still not sure if this is thought acceptable or not. But here goes:
I've just posted a long essay on my own (non-commercial) website about a bizarre Texan festival which involves half the residents of a small town called Fredericksburg dressing up as rabbits and acting out a annual pageant for the thousands of visitors who attend. The aim, as summed up in the event's own literature, is to "blend the local fable of the Easter Bunny with the deeply religious aspects of Easter". It's every bit as weird as it sounds, and you can find more details here:
http://www.planetslade.com/texas-easter-fires1.html
NOTE TO MODERATORS: My site generates no income for me or anyone else, and the piece I've linked to is relevant to this discussion. Does that mean it's OK to give it a one-off mention here? Some clarification of your preferred policy in cases like this might be helpful for other users. Thank you.
Reply to this theres one in Sweden where everyone goes a bit crazy and says thanks to the pagan gods, and the sun, and the ability to create and drink alcohol.
Sounds good! Anyone know about it?
The country games in Somerset, UK is a good one - tug of wars and raft races with lots of cider.
Reply to this We have powwow season in the fall. Ever try puppydog stew?
Reply to this Truck Festival in Oxfordshire is a pretty well known local festival. This year, Supergrass and Ash are headlining so it should be a good festival to see.
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