2025's Top Festivals You’ve Never Heard Of - Versed Travel
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    2025’s Top Festivals You’ve Never Heard Of

    by: Marty
    Modified Date Last updated: May 6, 2025

    6 min read

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    Hidden Celebrations Worth Adding to Your Bucket List

    Beyond the spotlight of global events like Coachella and Glastonbury, there’s a whole list of unique festivals that deserve more rage and attention. From the colorful streets of Oaxaca to the serene landscapes of the Apennines, these lesser-known celebrations offer amazing, authentic cultural experiences.

    These festivals offer an insight into local traditions, music, and art.

    kalash woman wearing traditional clothes working near her house in
    [email protected]/Depositphotos

    Uchal Kalash Summer Festival

    The Uchal Kalash Summer Festival is a vibrant cultural celebration which is held annually in the Kalash Valleys of Chitral, Pakistan. The festival is held from August 19 to September 2.

    The Kalash people are known for their unique traditions and animist beliefs. They engage in rituals that include offering dairy products like cheese and buttermilk at altars.

    dj with sound mixer on concert
    Depositphotos

    Sea Star Festival

    Set to take place from May 22 to 25 at the Stella Maris Resort in Umag, Croatia, the Sea Star Festival is one of a kind. This coastal town is known for its Mediterranean charm and provides an aesthetic backdrop for the event.

    The festival begins with a Welcome Day on May 22. It’s followed by two main days of performances on May 23 and 24, and ends with a closing party on May 25.

    close up of microphone in concert hall or conference room
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    Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival

    Held from January 10 to 12, 2025, in Udaipur, India, the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival brings together storytellers from around the world. Founded by Sushmita Singa and Salil Bhandari, the festival aims to revive the ancient art of oral storytelling.

    The event tends to feature a diverse lineup of performers. Attendees get to experience a variety of storytelling genres, such as history, romance, and mystery.

    WOMADelaide in Adelaide.
    Shutterstock

    WOMADelaide

    This festival is a four-day celebration of global music, arts, and dance. Held from March 7 to 10 in Adelaide’s Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla, the festival features performances by well-known artists.

    These artists include PJ Harvey (UK), Nils Frahm (Germany), Mariza (Portugal), and Khruangbin (USA), among many others. WOMADelaide, over the years, continues to be a cornerstone event in Adelaide’s cultural calendar.

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    Depositphotos

    CPH:DOX

    CPH: DOX 2025 was held from March 19 to 30 in Copenhagen, Denmark. It featured over 200 documentary films from around the globe.

    The festival began with Tommy Gulliksen’s “Facing War.” The festival also proudly introduced thematic sections like “Right Here, Right Now,” which focused on pressing global issues such as human rights and geopolitical conflicts.

    Spectators watching in the cinema during the 19th international Thessaloniki Documentary Festival at Marketaki Cinema
    Shutterstock

    Thessaloniki Documentary Festival

    Held from March 6 to 16, 2025, in Thessaloniki, Greece, the 27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival featured a diverse selection of 261 documentaries. These also included 72 world premieres, 40 international premieres, and 11 European premieres.

    The festival also showcased multiple competition sections. These competition sections featured the International Competition, Newcomers, Film Forward, and Virtual Reality (VR).

    Young people are having fun with muds at Boryeong Mud Festival.
    Shutterstock

    Boryeong Mud Festival

    The Boryeong Mud Festival is held annually at Daecheon Beach. It’s South Korea’s most well-known summer event and ends up attracting visitors from around the world.

    Attendees are allowed to immerse themselves in various mud-themed activities. These activities include mud wrestling, slides, obstacle courses, and even a mud prison, featuring a massive celebration of fun and wellness.

    Celebration scarlet sails show during the White Nights Festival.
    maxcam/Depositphotos

    White Nights Festival

    The White Nights Festival is held in St. Petersburg, Russia. The festival is a celebration of the city’s near-Arctic location. where the sun rarely sets between late May and early July.

    This natural phenomenon is celebrated via a series of cultural events, including the well-known “Stars of the White Nights” held at the Mariinsky Theatre. The highlight of the festival is the Scarlet Sails celebration, which is scheduled for June 28, 2025.

    Spectators at the annual Cheese Rolling race held on Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth near Gloucester, UK.
    Shutterstock

    Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake

    The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is a centuries-old tradition that takes place annually on the Spring Bank Holiday at Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. Participants race down a steep, uneven hill in pursuit of a 9-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese.

    The first person who’s able to cross the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese. The hill with its steepness and uneven surface is obviously dangerous.

    Radishes carved in the shape of a person with a banner over top stating the artist and the category of the entry at Night of the Radishes.
    Shutterstock

    Night of the Radishes

    The Night of the Radishes is a unique annual event that is held every December 23 in the Zócalo of Oaxaca City. Local artisans are seen carving oversized radishes, some which weigh up to 7 pounds.

    These radish sculptures are displayed in booths around the main square, which ends up creating a vibrant and colorful atmosphere. Besides radishes, the event also features live music, traditional Oaxacan food, and a festive ambiance.

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    International Festival of Walking

    A unique event that is held annually in the Apennine Mountains of Italy, the International Festival of Walking is typically scheduled for late October to early November. This festival offers participants the opportunity to engage in guided walks throughout the aesthetic landscapes of the Apennines.

    This experience allows the participants to build a deep connection with nature and promotes physical well-being. The event ends up attracting thousands of nature enthusiasts.

    Sumida Fireworks Festival
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    Sumida River Fireworks Festival

    The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is Tokyo’s largest and most iconic summer fireworks event. It’s held annually on the last Saturday of July, and this year the event is scheduled to take place on July 26, 2025.

    The fireworks display begins at 7:00 pm and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Attendees are often dressed in traditional yukata, adding to the cultural charm of the event.

    silhouettes of concert crowd in front of bright stage lights
    sarymsakov/Depositphotos

    All Things Go Festival

    The All Things Go Festival is a three-day music festival featuring indie rock, pop, and hip-hop artists. Artists like Doechii, Clairo, and Lucy Dacus attend the festival.

    This year, the festival is returning to New York for its second annual tradition from September 26 to 28, 2025, at Forest Hill Stadium. Besides music, the festival also showcases immersive art installations and a community-focused atmosphere.

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    Sónar Festival

    This year’s program is set to boast 117 performances across 10 stages. Artists that are performing at the festival include Richie Hawtin (as Plastikman), Peggy Gou, Four Tet, Nathy Peluso, BICEP, Eric Prydz, and Armin van Buuren b2b Indira Paganotto.

    The festival is set to take place from June 12 to 14. Besides music, the festival is also set to feature a technology conference.

    dadpuszta hungary 07 august 2022 aerial top down
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    Ozora Festival

    Ozora Festival 2025 is set in the picturesque village of Dádpuszta, Hungary. This festival is one of the world’s premier psychedelic trance festivals.

    The festival is scheduled to take place from July 25 to August 5. Attendees can expect performances from well-known artists such as Hallucinogen, Juno Reactor, Liquid Soul, and Astrix.

    Author

    Marty

    Author

    Marty

    I live in Asia and travel frequently. When I travel, I like to have nice experiences and be comfortable, but I've always got a keen eye on the price. On this website, I share the good and the bad that I encounter so that you can save time and money by learning from my experiences.

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