La Tomatina to Haro Wine festival, get some immersive experiences
Some trips are remembered through photos, while others through the experiences you dive into. The kind where you’re drenched, laughing, and completely in the moment.
Because travel today isn’t just about seeing a place, it’s about experiencing it – immersive, and unforgettable. If you’re ready to swap sightseeing for something far more wild, Pickyourtrail brings you some festivals where getting soaked is the whole experience.
1. Songkran: Bangkok & Chiang Mai, Thailand
Think of an entire country turning into one giant, multi-day water fight. Songkran, the Thai New Year (celebrated in mid-April), blends spiritual cleansing with full-blown street celebrations. Across Bangkok and Chiang Mai, water guns, buckets, and big smiles take over, making it the ultimate way to cool off (and reset) during Thailand’s hottest month.
2. La Tomatina: Buñol, Spain
On the last Wednesday of August, the quiet town of Buñol (near Valencia) sees its population quadruple for the world’s most famous food fight. La Tomatina is a messy, visceral, and surprisingly technical event where truckloads of over-ripe tomatoes are dumped into the streets for an hour of pure, pulpy carnage. The town’s narrow white-washed streets turn into a river of red, and the only rule is to squash the tomatoes before throwing them to ensure the fun stays safe.
3. Vardavar: Across Armenia
A festival where getting drenched is not just allowed—it’s expected. Celebrated in July, Vardavar is one of Armenia’s most joyful traditions, where people take to the streets armed with buckets, hoses, and water guns. What started as a pagan ritual tied to water and love has evolved into a nationwide celebration that brings everyone—locals and travellers alike—into the splash zone. You don’t need a plan here, just clothes you don’t mind getting soaked in and a willingness to join the fun.
4. Boryeong Mud Festival: Boryeong, South Korea
If you’re okay with getting a little “earthy,” the Boryeong Mud Festival in July is a must-visit. Originally started as a marketing vehicle for mud-based cosmetics, it has evolved into a massive international party on Daecheon Beach. From mud slides and mud pits to “mud prisons,” the goal is to be entirely unrecognizable by sunset. It’s a playful, skin-friendly festival that attracts millions of international travelers looking for a unique summer cool-down.
5. Haro Wine Festival: Haro, Spain
Located in the heart of the La Rioja region, the Batalla del Vino (Battle of Wine) takes place every June 29th. Thousands of participants climb a mountain dressed in white, only to spend the morning drenching each other in thousands of liters of red wine using buckets, sprayers, and water guns. By midday, the entire crowd has turned a uniform shade of purple. It’s a spirited celebration of the region’s viticulture that ends with traditional dancing and a massive feast.
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