6 unique events honoring animals worldwide

Festivals are meant to be celebratory, with shops, fairs, interesting rides-everything perfectly designed to make people happy and add a change to the mundane life. But what about those festivals where the main spotlight is not on human beings or their refreshment, rather where the center stage is given to animals? Here are 8 such festivals which are celebrated primarily to honour the animal and their contribution in day-to-day life, which often goes unnoticed and unthanked.

In Lopburi city,‘Thailand’s Monkey Town’, monkeys and humans live like neighbours as monkeys are seen as good luck. To celebrate their presence in the city, the Monkey Banquet Festival takes place every year on the last Sunday of November every year. The festival begins with an opening ceremony, including performances and music, followed by the monkeys enjoying a buffet significantly prepared and displayed for them. In Thailand, monkeys are seen as sacred descendants of the Monkey King Hanuman from the Ramakien (Thailand’s version of the Ramayana epic).This event continued to be an unique and lively event blending wildlife appreciation with Thai cultural heritage.

The festival originated from military exercises conducted by the Soma clan during the Heian period. Over three days, hundreds of riders parade through the streets, and engage in horse races. The final day features the Nomagake ritual where riders dressed in white chase capture wild horses with their bare hands, which are then purified and offered to the local Shinto shrine as protective guardians. This ritual symbolizes renewal and the continuation of ancient ties between humans and the horses. Recently, the festival has also embraced progress by allowing greater inclusivity, such as women participating fully in the events, preserving its relevance in today while honoring its thousand-year-old legacy.

The famous Running of the Bulls in Pamplona showcases participants running through city streets alongside bulls. While controversial, the event draws thousands of spectators and is rooted in tradition dating back centuries. Participants and spectators often wear white outfits paired with red scarves and belts, symbolizing their respect for the saint and the festival's jubilant spirit.

Every three years, the town of Ypres in Belgium holds Kattenstoet, a celebration of cats. The parade features giant cat puppets, performances, and toy cats thrown away from the historic Cloth Hall. Sources suggest that the original practice of throwing cats from the Cloth Hall bell tower likely comes from attempts to ward off evil spirits or from practical reasons like controlling vermin in the town’s historic cloth markets,today's festival transforms that dark past into a joyful homage to cats.

This authentic cultural experience is held annually in Rajasthan. The Pushkar Camel Fair is one of the world’s largest gatherings centered around camels and livestock. During this festival , camels are elaborately decorated with bright fabrics, jewelry, and painted designs, competing in races, tug-of-war contests, and beauty pageants that highlight their strength and grace.The marketplace buzzes with artisans selling handicrafts, textiles, and local wares, offering a colorful touch of Rajasthani life where almost in all the designs , camel plays significantly crucial role.

The Alpabzug is a Swiss festival celebrating the annual return of cows from high-altitude summer pastures to the valleys for the winter. The cows often have a "queen cow" leading the herd, recognized by the most intricate decorations, symbolizing leadership and pride within the group. Decorated with flowers and massive bells, the cows are paraded through villages as families celebrate their return with music and food.The event is not only a practical seasonal transition but also an expression of gratitude toward the animals, recognizing their vital role in producing the milk that crafts Switzerland’s renowned alpine cheeses.