Tourists (mainly young ones) travel here from all over the world to get a good soaking. The popular festival takes place in Buñol in southern Spain. It's considered good etiquette to squeeze the tomato in your hand before throwing to avoid injuring your fellow revelers. Today it's time for: ready, aim, fire!

Witches have supposedly gathered here in Harz since the mid 17th century to light fires and "hold revels with the devil". The event on April 30 still attracts thousands of visitors and spreads across 20 locations around the Brocken mountain. The focal point is Hexentanzplatz (Witches' Dance-floor) in the Harz mountains, where ancient Germanic tribes are said to have enjoyed cult celebrations.

Follow that cheese! In the English county of Gloucestershire, a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled down Cooper's Hill at this event for participants to chase. This is no easy feat and often no one manages to catch the thing since it reaches speeds of up to 110 km/h (70 mi/h). The first person over the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese.

Long-live the citrus fruit! Every year in February, a spectacular festival descends upon sunny Menton on the Côte d'Azur. More than 100 tones of citrus fruit is used to create giant sculptures, or even buildings. On Sundays, decorated carnival floats parade down the promenade. The festival dates back to 1929 when Menton was Europe's biggest producer of citrus fruits - and any excuse for a party.

Who says you need a real guitar to rock out? Since its debut in 1996, the air guitar festival in Oululu has attracted thousands of visitors every year. Each participant has one minute to wow the jury with their performance. The winners are judged on their general stage show and skill of finger movements. And above all, they must dress to impress.

These involve chucking logs, hurling stones and playing bagpipes - clad of course in traditional tartan kilts. These games originally started as a competition between Highland clans, but they are now held all over the world. The most famous event takes place in the Scottish village of Braemar on the first Saturday in September. Even the Queen shows up to watch!

An unusual tradition that's been given UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status, and one that you can see for yourself in September at Barcelona's biggest street festival, known locally as La Mercè. Groups of people form human towers called Castells, and the taller and more complex the better. This Catalan custom dates back to the 18th century.

Even the abbreviation is intriguing: HTWWWM. In English it roughly translates as "handbag long distance throwing world championships", which take place in Bottrop in the Ruhr region. The teams have four different approved throwing styles to choose from. Along with distance, participants are judged on technique, choreography (including gestures and facial expression), make-up and footwear.

This orange fight takes place in February in the northern Italian city of Ivrea. It's said to symbolize a historical revolt during the middle ages. For three days, teams throw oranges at spectators from their floats. Visitors are welcome to join in, but this isn’t for the meek - the carnival often results in a few bruises and bloody noses.

Every year in June Florence's Piazza Santa Croce becomes a battleground. Calcio storico, or historic football, means getting the ball in the goal by any means: kicks to the head are prohibited but head-butting, punching and choking are all allowed. Unsurprisingly, players often get injured. The match lasts 50 minutes, and the players dress in traditional 16th century outfits.