Most of us assume that the only way to experience a radically new place or culture is to travel abroad—and who’s got the time or cash for that? But right under your nose, in small towns across America, there are dozens of quirky outdoor festivals that let you immerse yourself in some pretty unhinged corners of society. From giant pumpkins to rare fungi to DIY outhouses, there’s a festival for everything—and we love a good excuse for a road trip.
Another bonus? Many of these small-town festivals are inexpensive and grassroots—giving them a homegrown feel that big, commercial festivals just can’t replicate. Here are 13 under-the-radar festivals that will spark your curiosity—and leave you with plenty of memorable experiences and wild stories your group chat won’t be able to top.
July 3-6
This festival pays homage to a 1947 UFO sighting that made national headlines. The shiny unidentified object was later identified as debris from a military balloon, but some believe that the belated diagnosis was a government cover-up. From an alien dog costume contest to a themed 5k, this festival encapsulates the weirdness and wonder we associate with extraterrestrial life.
July 11-12
From wildflower hikes to trail talks about local folklore, this festival celebrates peak summer color in the wildflower capital of Colorado. Other activities include birding, culinary classes, art workshops, and garden tours.
July, 13
You’ll need a good pair of goggles to attend this festival: The whole thing is underwater. Event organizers hold the annual celebration at Looe Key Sanctuary, about 6 miles off the coast of Big Pine Key. Hundreds of divers and snorkelers explore the reef while listening to music broadcast through underwater speakers. raise awareness about reef conservation and responsible diving. The playlist features ocean-themed songs ranging from Jimmy Buffett to The Little Mermaid.
August 1-2
The Armillaria gallica mushroom, which can grow up to the size of three blue whales, is native to the Upper Michigan Peninsula. In celebration of its grandeur, the city of Crystal Falls hosts an annual weekend bash. Expect fungi-forward food, foraging outings, a parade, and more.
August 1-3
This funky fest celebrates all the best hallmarks of summer in Alaska: good camping, local music, fresh salmon, and endless sunshine. Spend the weekend filling up on good tunes and salmon-forward dishes. Then, snag a campsite on-site or at the nearby Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds Campground.
August 13-17
This mushroom festival is as much of a celebration of fungus as it is of creative expression. Join a culinary foraging expedition, sit in on a keynote presentation like, and then don your favorite fungus-themed costumes for the festival’s marquee mushroom parade.
August 29-30
Cow chips—i.e., discs of dried cow poop—were a great source of fuel for 19th-century travelers on the Great Plains. Today, midwesterners celebrate the power of the cow chip with a friendly throwing competition. Each contestant receives two chips to throw. Gloves are not allowed. However, you can lick your fingers before throwing to getting a better grip on your chip. Whoever throws their chip the farthest wins.
August 29
Consider this Burning Man’s little cousin. Zozobra, which translates to “anxiety or distress,” is a 50-foot effigy meant to symbolize the struggles of life. At this festival, participants stuff Zozobra with notes detailing their sorrows and worries. Then, the larger-than-life figure is set ablaze to symbolize renewal and release. Watch the burning, then dance your worries away amid live music.
September 12-14
A relative of the papaya, pawpaw treesare native to Ohio, and their fruit tastes like a cross between a banana and a mango. It’s a beloved local staple—and people go all out each fall to celebrate it. Pawpaw Fest features a pawpaw growers’ competition, a pawpaw beer tasting, and a pawpaw-eating contest. And on Saturday morning, you can join cyclists for a group ride among the trees in Zaleski State Forest.
October 4
What started as a political protest in Virginia City, Nevada, is now an annual tradition—and the only designated outhouse-racing event in the U.S. Participants spend weeks building their own homemade outhouses and then race the contraptions down the historic C Street. Each outhouse must contain a toilet seat and a roll of toilet paper—and be fully operational.
October 18-19
Forget about James and the Giant Peach—this competition requires athletes to sail down the Piscataquog River in a giant Jack-o-lantern. If you’re not confident in your ability to pilot a pumpkin, consider spectating the race—or attending the giant pumpkin weigh-off. In past years, the winning gourd has often topped 2,000 pounds.
October, 25
To honor Emma Crawford’s dying wish, her partner carried her coffin to the top of Red Mountain to lay her to the rest. Almost thirty years later, a storm struck the area—and sent Emma’s coffin racing down the mountain. Since 1995, the town has honored Emma’s memory through their very own coffin race (which anyone can enter), accompanied by spooky festivities.
September 26-28
We heard this festival rocks. It features geode cracking, treasure hunts, fossils, and more. Professionals guide geode hunts through areas that are normally off limits to the general public, making this a unique opportunity for rock hounds. It’s also a perfect adventure weekend for your kiddo—or that one friend who’s really into crystals.
