La Tomatina: The world´s largest food fight
Among the many colorful festivals that light up the Spanish calendar, La Tomatina stands out as one of the most playful, unique and exuberant. Held in the small town of Buñol, just a short drive from Valencia, La Tomatina is an annual event that has gained international fame, drawing thousands of visitors from around the world eager to take part in the world’s biggest food fight.
With La Tomatina starting tomorrow, Thursday, 28th August, our blog today dives into the history of the festival. We will explain all of the main events of the festival, what you can expect and how to enjoy it to the max. You should only keep reading if you´re a fan of tomatoes!
A brief history of La Tomatina
The origins of La Tomatina are somewhat what you would call «mysterious» with several stories circulating about how this eccentric festival began. The most popular theory dates back to the 1940s when a local parade in Buñol took a chaotic turn. A group of young people, eager to join the festivities, began throwing tomatoes from a nearby vegetable stand, causing a scene of friendly caos. The fun was so infectious that the event became an annual tradition.
Despite its initial popularity, La Tomatina faced a ban in the early 1950s due to concerns over public safety and food waste. However, the local community’s passion for the event led to its reinstatement in 1957 after a protest involving a symbolic tomato burial. Since then, La Tomatina has grown exponentially, becoming a symbol of joy and unrestrained fun.
What actually happens on the day of the festival?
Held on the last Wednesday of August, La Tomatina kicks off with a bang, literally. The festivities start around 11 a.m. with the «Palo Jabón,» a greasy pole with a ham placed at the top. Participants try to climb the pole to retrieve the ham, and once someone succeeds, a cannon is fired to signal the start of the tomato fight.
For the next hour, the streets of Buñol are transformed into a sea of red as thousands of participants throw overripe tomatoes at each other. Trucks loaded with tomatoes make their way through the narrow streets, ensuring that everyone has plenty of ammunition. The tomatoes used are specifically grown for the event and are not suitable for consumption, making the food fight more environmentally friendly.
Despite the apparent chaos, there are some rules to ensure the event remains safe and enjoyable for everyone. Participants are encouraged to squish the tomatoes before throwing them to avoid injuries, and protective eyewear is recommended. The event ends with another cannon shot, signaling the cleanup process, where fire trucks and residents hose down the streets, leaving Buñol clean and tidy once again.
After the tomatoes have been thrown and the streets are once again clean, the party doesn’t stop. Buñol hosts several after-parties where participants can enjoy food, music, and dance well into the night.
Some tips for first-time participants
If you’re planning to attend La Tomatina, here are a few tips to ensure you have the best experience:
Wear old clothes: Your outfit will be ruined by the end of the day, so wear something you don’t mind parting with.
Protect Your Eyes: Goggles are highly recommended to shield your eyes from the acidic tomato juice.
Leave Valuables at Home: The event is chaotic, so it’s best to leave anything valuable or breakable behind.
Arrive Early: Buñol is a small town, and the streets get crowded quickly. Arriving early ensures a good spot and time to soak in the atmosphere.
Stay Hydrated: August in Spain can be extremely hot, so make sure to drink plenty of water before the event starts.
Make sure to stay tuned through our Facebook and Instagram pages, where we will announce all the other fun plans you can get up to before the summer ends!
