Have you heard of the Tomatina Festival? 

La Tomatina is known as the “worlds biggest food fight”, where thousands of people come every year to this Spanish city to throw tomatoes at each other!

The Tomatina Festival, which originated back in 1945, takes place every year on the last Wednesday of August in the city of Buñol, Spain in the Valencian Community (just 30 minutes outside of Valencia!)

The Tomatina Festival now draws 20,000 people from around the world to join in on the food fighting festivities! Around 130 tons of tomatoes are used each year for this event, but don’t worry — they say the tomatoes used are not eating quality. This festival is so popular the city had to put a limit on capacity — in 2012 there were 50,000 people in attendance, in a city whose population is only 9,000! Now participants need to buy tickets in advance. 

So how did La Tomatina start? 

As we mentioned, The Tomatina Festival began in 1945, which is actually not that long ago considering most Spanish holidays are hundreds of years old! There are a few legends as to how the food fight started. Some say it first happened when a food stand was knocked over during a parade leading to the the people involved throwing tomatoes at one another. Others say it began with a group of kids. Either way, the holiday was forbidden for a few decades during the time of Franco since it was not a religious holiday. In the 1970’s after Franco was not in rule any longer, La Tomatina came back to life and grew to be one of the most popular Spanish holidays!

What actually happens during the food fight? 

Everyone gathers in the city center to wait for the big event. Trucks full of over-ripe tomatoes are then brought into the Plaza del Pueblo, and the fighting begins! The actual tomato throwing lasts for just about an hour or so. 

What happens other than throwing tomatoes?

Just like many Spanish holidays, La Tomatina isn’t just a one day event. In the days leading up to the actual holiday, there will be parades, fireworks, and parties in the streets. The night before the big event, you’ll find the main squares full of people in the evenings cooking paella over wood fires in the streets. 

For more cultural activities coming up, check out our Blog or our Activities page!