La Tomatina of Buñol, the tomato fight

latomatina.info

Graham McLellan

La Tomatina is Buñol’s legendary festival in Valencia where, every last Wednesday of August, thousands hurl tomatoes in the streets for a frenetic hour of red-soaked fun.

Origins

Dating to 1945, local youths in the parade square grabbed tomatoes from a market stand and began an impromptu battle. Despite initial bans, the event persisted unofficially and was formalized in the 1980s.

First national feature: on Informe Semanal (1983), boosting fame.
Designation: declared International Tourist Interest Festival in 2002.

Event Schedule

09:00: gather in the plaza; pre-battle water fights from balconies.
10:00: slippery pole and ham contest for a prize.
11:00: first shot—trucks of overripe industrial tomatoes arrive and the “battle” begins.
12:00: second shot—tomato war ends.
Afterwards: water trucks clean the streets as participants shower at public fountains.

Practical Info

Limited capacity: since 2013, tickets (max 22 000 participants) are sold online.
Recommendations: wear old clothes, protective goggles, rinse with vinegar after to prevent irritation.
Access: commuter trains from Valencia; parking in nearby towns.

Join the spectacle and experience La Tomatina: a colorful, historic, and wildly fun tradition under the August sun.