Attendees of the Secret Garden Party at Marble Cemetery in New York, by one of the winners of our photo contest, Christine Catalano. 

Secret garden parties and cemetery tours. Tunneling and tree-climbing. Abandoned zoos and ghost signs. These are just some of the experiences that occurred around the world on April 16, 2016—Obscura Day.

Across 25 different countries, 160 events took place to celebrate the undiscovered and rarely seen. Fortunately for us, our intrepid attendees have been sending in their photos from the day as part of the Obscura Day Photo Contest. We’ve now chosen our top 10 submissions and each winner will receive a copy of the upcoming Atlas Obscura book. We also added in a few extra favorites from Instagram, because who can resist the opportunity to glimpse a global celebration of wonder?

The Mundaneum in Mons, Belgium by Robin Charlebois

Pasaquan in Buena Vista, GA by Neva Watford

Backstage at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Los Angeles, by Elissa James

Nota Roja Walking Tour in Mexico City by Javier Cuervo

The Many Peculiarities of the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, PA by Mo Manklang

Secret Garden Party at Marble Cemetery, NY by Nathan Williams 

Warlock Mine and Tunnel Tour, CA by Brian Riggs

Tree Climbing With a Canopy Expert in Franklin, TN by Stephanie Schrenk 

Patarei Prison in Tallinn, Estonia by Peeter Kuus

 

 

Exploring abandoned villas and dodging security and missing railings on #ObscuraDay #Beijing @atlasobscura

A photo posted by Anne Sherman (@annesher07) on  

 

 

behind the scenes at the local baby jesus repair shop. 🏥 #obscuraday #littlemexico #queens

A photo posted by brittany jones (@brittanyjones) on

 

  

 

Bollard down. Bollard down. #bollard #dtla #ObscuraDay

A photo posted by Anthony Boyer (@anthonyboyerddo) on

  

 

#atlasobscura #tbilisiphoto #obscuraday

A photo posted by ∆ɳɳ (@ani_sv) on

 

 

In the guts of the Navy Yard today. #obscuraday #atlasobscura

A photo posted by Clarke Boehling (@standbackforexciter) on

    

 

Pedal Bear!

A photo posted by Jaime (@exterminaaate) on

 

 

 

16/4/16, London. St Stephen’s Hall, Palace of #westminster

A photo posted by Diana Pisani (@dianapisani) on

 

 

Disco balls for eyes! #houseofballs #mpls #obscuraday #atlasobscura

A photo posted by Jennifer Taylor (@jenniferrrtaylorrr) on

 

  

 

Learning about Brook Farm at #obscuraday

A photo posted by Louisa Rigali (@luigiarosali) on