Cat Wednesday (Kattenwoensdog), Ypres, Belgium
Some 200 years ago Ypres was overrun with mice so they brought in cats to get rid of the problem. The town was then beseiged by the cats themselves. The solution? Take them to the top of a tall tower and chuck them off. These days, they don't hurl live cats, just fake ones - on the second Sunday in May. You can stand underneath and try to catch one as they sail earthwards.

La Tomatina, Bunol, Spain
In August the Spanish celebrate their freedom by pelting each other with ripe tomatoes. The local council provides lorry loads for crowds of up to 20,000 people to chuck at each other. The only rule is you have to squash the tomato in your hand before you throw it. Then it's a free-for-all that lasts about half an hour and gets through around 90,000 lbs of tomatoes.

Day of the Dead, Mexico
On November 1 (All Saints Day) and 2 (All Souls Day), Mexicans welcome back the souls of their dead on El Dia De Los Muertos. But there's no weeping and wailing - it's a jolly affair with everyone preparing favourite food for their dear departed. Flowers and candles are placed on graves and at 6pm the bells begin to ring, summoning the dead. They ring all night, stopping at sunrise.

The Bun Festival, Hong Kong, China
The Taoist Cheung Chau Bun Festival is one of Hong Kong's liveliest. It's held over four days in May on the island of Cheung Chau, where huge bamboo towers are built in the courtyard of Pak Tai temple - and then covered in buns. On the third day children are carried through the streets on poles, and appear to float over the the crowds - there are also stilt walkers and people dressed as legendary characters.

Night of the Radishes (Noche de los Rabanos), Oaxaca, Mexico
On December 23 the people of this southern Mexico city display figures carved from radishes, depicting anything from the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus - or even extraterrestrials. At this time, everyone tucks into the traditional bunuelos - fried pastries - and when you've finished eating you're supposed to throw your bowl into the air and make a wish. The following evening has processions called calendas, fireworks and floats.

Festa de Sao Joao, Oporto, Portugal
St John's Festival on June 23 and 24 has the inhabitants of Oporto running around and hitting each other over the head with plastic hammers and heads of garlic. There's a reason for this, but it appears to have been lost in the mists of tradition. During the festival, the whole town turns out on the streets for bonfires, eating and drinking (this being the home of port wine of course) and the revelry lasts all night.

Burial of the Sardine, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
One of the highlights of the annual February/March carnival and takes place in Santa Cruz. A procession carries an enormous sardine through the streets after it has been placed on a throne. The 'mourners' include men dressed as pregnant women and widows, crying and wailing as they follow the dead fish (which is actually made of old cloth). A fireworks display greets the arrival of the cortege as it arrives in the Plaza Europe.

Tunarama, Port Lincoln, South Australia
The highlight of the only festival in the world dedicated solely to a fish has to be the world championship tuna-tossing event where men and women fling the hefty sea creatures. The festival, held every January, does have a serious side - to celebrate Port Lincoln's fishing industry. Held at Boston Bay, Tunarama has attractions for all the family features a street parade, music and fireworks.

Reveillon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This December festival is dedicated to the goddess of the sea, Yemanja. People gather at the water's edge and launch little boats and baskets full of offerings to please her - she especially likes perfume, combs, mirrors, fried fish and watermelon. If the gifts are carried out to sea, this is good luck, but if the waves wash them back ashore, the worshippers' prayers will not be answered.

St John's Pig Parade, Balayan, Philippines
Part of the annual feast of San Juan Bautista, this unusual parade takes place in June in Batangas Province, just outside Manila. Dozens of fully-clothed roast suckling pigs are carried through the town on litters, sitting up on little chairs - just like people. The deeds of St John are re-enacted at the festival and everyone gets into water fights and unsuspecting passers-by are targets for a good dousing. Water is also thrown at and from passing cars.

Source: Teletext Holidays - September 2006