Once a year, the otherwise quiet town of Buñol, just west of Valencia in Spain, transforms into a colorful, chaotic battleground where thousands of people hurl tomatoes at each other in sheer joy.
This is La Tomatina – perhaps the world’s most unconventional festival, where no white shirt stays white, and tomatoes fly through the air in a frenzy of fun.
A Burst of Red Joy
La Tomatina 2025 takes place on August 27, the last Wednesday of August, as tradition dictates. For a little over an hour, the main street of Buñol turns into a river of crushed tomatoes, laughter, and celebration. The event attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world – all with one goal: to throw tomatoes.
The day begins early, with participants gathering in swimwear, goggles, and with eager smiles. The tomato fight officially starts at 11:00 a.m., following a quirky tradition where someone must climb a greased wooden pole to retrieve a ham tied at the top – this marks the beginning. Trucks then roll in and dump over 100 tons of ripe tomatoes onto the street. And then it begins: a joyful, tomato-fueled chaos.
A History Born by Chance
La Tomatina dates back to 1945, when a local parade in Buñol got out of hand. A group of young people started throwing vegetables from a nearby market stall at the parade participants. What began as a scuffle ended in laughter – and the following year, they returned with their own tomatoes. Although the event was banned several times, particularly during Franco’s dictatorship, it survived and eventually gained official status, now organized and supported by the town.
Rules in the Mayhem
Despite the madness, there are a few ground rules: only crushed tomatoes may be thrown (to prevent injuries), no other objects are allowed, and participants must respect one another. When the cannon fires at 11:00, the tomato battle begins – and exactly one hour later, a second shot marks the end. Cleanup begins immediately, with locals hosing down the streets – and sometimes the participants.
A Global Magnet
La Tomatina has grown into a global phenomenon. Visitors come from Japan, Australia, the U.S., Brazil, Sweden and beyond – just to hurl tomatoes in a small Spanish town for a single unforgettable hour. The event has even inspired similar festivals around the world, but the original in Buñol remains the biggest and most iconic.
More Than Just Tomatoes
For the locals, La Tomatina is more than a food fight – it's a symbol of pride, tradition, and shared joy. The week leading up to the main event is filled with concerts, cooking competitions (including epic paella contests), and cultural festivities. It’s a celebration that transcends language and borders – all powered by the humble tomato.
So, if you ever find yourself in Spain at the end of August, pack clothes you don’t mind ruining, bring a big smile, and prepare yourself for one of the most unique festival experiences on Earth. Because that’s exactly what La Tomatina is – messy, wild, and utterly unforgettable.
