8 US Places with the World’s Strangest Annual Traditions
If you thought travel was all about beaches and sightseeing, think again. Across the U.S., there are places where truly bizarre, unforgettable, and sometimes hilarious events happen like clockwork — drawing curious travelers, cult followers, and serious “Wait, what?” energy. 😳🎉
Here are 8 destinations where something weird happens every year — and yes, it’s 100% real.
1. 🐸 Rayne, Louisiana – The Frog Festival
Every year, this small Louisiana town fully embraces its identity as the “Frog Capital of the World” with a weekend of frog racing, frog jumping, and even a frog leg cook-off.
✨ Don’t miss: The frog derby and carnival rides — it’s weird, it’s wacky, and it’s very Rayne.
2. 👽 Roswell, New Mexico – UFO Festival
Since that infamous “crash” in 1947, Roswell has leaned all the way in with an annual UFO fest filled with alien parades, cosplay contests, and intergalactic panels.
✨ Don’t miss: The alien-themed everything — even the street lamps have alien eyes.
3. 🐌 Tompkinsville, Kentucky – Roller Coaster Yard Sale
Stretching over 150+ miles through Kentucky and Tennessee, this epic roadside yard sale takes over the region like a bargain-hunting carnival.
✨ Don’t miss: The chance to score antiques, oddities, and fried everything from someone’s front lawn.
4. 🎃 Keene, New Hampshire – Pumpkin Festival
This town goes hard every fall trying to break its own world record for the most carved, lit jack-o’-lanterns in one place. We’re talking thousands.
✨ Don’t miss: The eerie beauty of the pumpkin towers glowing at night.
5. 🐷 Havelock, North Carolina – National Pig Pickin’ Festival
Barbecue meets small-town fair meets pig-themed everything — including contests, cooking competitions, and some serious smoky goodness.
✨ Don’t miss: The “pig pickin’” itself, where whole hogs are roasted and devoured with flair.
6. 🛸 McMinnville, Oregon – UFO Festival
Yup, another alien fest — but this one’s based on the famous 1950 UFO photo snapped in McMinnville. It’s now a weekend of space-themed fun, speakers, and alien dog costume contests.
✨ Don’t miss: The UFO parade, where tinfoil is the unofficial dress code.
7. 👟 Stilwell, Oklahoma – Strawberry Festival.
This sleepy town turns into a berry-splattered extravaganza each May with a strawberry parade, pageants, pie-eating contests, and yes — a strawberry shortcake giveaway.
✨ Don’t miss: Free slices of shortcake the size of your face.
8. 🧄 Gilroy, California – Garlic Festival (RIP, but worth noting!)
Though recently retired, Gilroy’s garlic celebration was legendary — with garlic ice cream, garlic fireworks, and vampire jokes galore. And who knows? It might make a comeback.
✨ Don’t miss: Visiting the garlic capital anyway for all things savory and strange.
🤯 Weird, Wonderful, and Totally Worth It
These places prove that America’s small towns don’t just celebrate the usual stuff — they lean into the wild, the wacky, and the downright delightful.
So if you’re craving something beyond the ordinary, these festivals might be your next favorite story.
