Weirdest Asian festivals you say?? Asia is home to some of the most mind-boggling and bizarre festivals in the world. These events range from spiritual displays of devotion to celebrations of mud and pain.
In this list, we dive into the strangest, macabre, and downright weirdest festivals across Asia that you can actually witness firsthand – some even with YPT
So, to the weirdest Asian festivals!
10. Mudik – Indonesia
Starting the countdown with a chaotic phenomenon, Mudik isn’t your usual festival but more of a mass migration. During Eid al-Fitr, millions of Indonesians pack up and head home to their villages. It’s an overwhelming surge of humanity, as entire cities empty out in a matter of days. This festival of movement comes with its own set of chaos—imagine buses overflowing with people, traffic jams stretching for miles, and train stations bursting at the seams. The scale and intensity of Mudik make it a fascinating (and overwhelming) experience to witness.
9. Kanamara Matsuri – Japan
Also known as the Festival of the Steel Phallus, Kanamara Matsuri in Kawasaki, Japan celebrates, well, phallic symbols. This centuries-old event honors fertility and protection from sexually transmitted infections, with the main attraction being the parading of enormous penis-shaped statues through the streets. Locals and tourists alike join in on the fun by buying phallic-themed candy, souvenirs, and even offering prayers for a prosperous future. It’s bizarre, cheeky, and definitely an eye-opening experience for the unprepared visitor.
You can check our Extremes of Japan Tour here.
8. Nyepi – Indonesia
Bali’s Nyepi is a festival like no other. Known as the Day of Silence, it’s a Hindu celebration where the entire island shuts down—literally. No vehicles are on the road, no one is allowed to work, and even the international airport is closed. The goal? To cleanse the island of evil spirits by tricking them into thinking Bali is deserted. The eerie silence across the island is unlike anything you’ll experience. What makes it even more surreal is the night before, when villagers parade giant demon effigies through the streets in loud, chaotic processions.
7. Jinju Lantern Festival – South Korea
Replacing the Mass Games in our list is the ethereal Jinju Lantern Festival. Held in South Korea, this visually stunning event fills the night sky with glowing lanterns floating along the Namgang River. The festival commemorates fallen soldiers of the Imjin War and features intricate lantern displays, fireworks, and the release of thousands of lanterns into the water. The beauty of the glowing river, paired with the historical significance, creates a festival that’s as mesmerizing as it is peculiar.
6. Mud Festival – South Korea
The Boryeong Mud Festival in South Korea is exactly what it sounds like—a festival where participants cover themselves in mud. What started as a marketing ploy to promote Boryeong’s mineral-rich mud has since turned into a full-blown celebration that attracts visitors from across the world. Mud wrestling, mud sliding, and mud painting are just some of the messy activities on offer. It’s dirty, chaotic, and ridiculously fun. Plus, you get to pretend the mud is good for your skin!
While YPT do not offer this (yet) it is something I personally recommend. You can check out our tours to South Korea here.
5. Hungry Ghost Festival – China/Southeast Asia
The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated across China and Southeast Asia, including Cambodia and it’s one of the eeriest on this list. According to Taoist and Buddhist beliefs, the gates of the underworld open during this time, allowing the spirits of the dead to roam the earth. To appease these wandering souls, families make offerings of food and burn incense, paper money, and other items to send them off to the afterlife. Streets are often lined with elaborate paper effigies and offerings, creating an unsettling yet fascinating atmosphere.
4. Pasola Festival – Indonesia
On the remote island of Sumba, Indonesia, the Pasola Festival takes place. It’s a traditional event where mounted warriors hurl spears at each other in a symbolic battle. Pasola is as dangerous as it sounds, with blood often being spilled. The event is steeped in ritual, as the bloodshed is believed to ensure a bountiful harvest. Pasola is not for the faint of heart—it’s a blend of spirituality and war, with local culture and beliefs tightly woven into the action.
You can check out our Indonesia Tours here.
3. Thaipusam – Malaysia
One of the most extreme festivals on this list, Thaipusam is a Hindu celebration held primarily in Malaysia. Devotees pierce their bodies with spears, hooks, and other metal objects to atone for sins or ask for blessings. Some even carry heavy kavadis (burdens), which are large, decorated structures attached to the body with sharp spikes. The procession to Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur is long and grueling, and the sight of thousands of people enduring self-inflicted pain is both awe-inspiring and unnerving.
2. Mass Crucifixions – Cutud Lenten Rites, Philippines
The Cutud Lenten Rites in the Philippines involve one of the most extreme forms of devotion you’ll ever witness—participants are literally nailed to wooden crosses in reenactments of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Every Good Friday, thousands of people gather in San Fernando to witness this controversial act of faith. While the Catholic Church discourages the practice, the devotees are determined to undergo the physical pain as a way to atone for their sins. Blood, sweat, and unwavering devotion make this one of the most macabre festivals in the world.
You can check out our Philippines tiers here and our Cutid Tour here.
1. Mass Games – North Korea
Topping our list is the incredible Mass Games in North Korea. This isn’t your typical festival—it’s a massive, choreographed event featuring over 100,000 performers creating human mosaics, synchronized routines, and theatrical performances, all in honor of North Korea’s revolutionary spirit and the Kim Paektu lineage. It’s an experience that is hard to comprehend, as you watch the sheer scale and precision of the performers. The political undertones and eerie level of synchronization make the Mass Games both fascinating and deeply unsettling.
You can check out our North Korea Tours here.
So, thats our top ten list of weird Asian festivals and while we do not visit them all, there are certainly a few Asian festivals that we are looking at.
As always with Young Pioneer Tours watch this space.
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