Binche Carnival (Belgium)

Binche Carnival's iconic Gilles—masked figures in wax masks and ostrich-feather hats—throw blood oranges at spectators in a 14th-century tradition, earning UNESCO World Heritage status. This event draws 300,000 attendees, but its parade involvement is 30% smaller than #7 Mardi Gras's 1,500 floats. The 1,000 Gilles don costumes weighing 30 kg each, a distinctive feature unmatched elsewhere, embodying a uniquely Belgian blend of ritual and revelry.