Spain’s Messiest Festival, La Tomatina, Returns Next Week
Every August, the quiet town of Buñol — set among the rolling hills of eastern Spain, just 40km from Valencia — undergoes a dramatic transformation. Normally known for its cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and medieval castle, this peaceful town becomes the unlikely stage for the world’s biggest food fight.
That’s right: La Tomatina is back. On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, more than 30,000 revellers will pack into Buñol’s central square to hurl overripe tomatoes at each other until the town is drenched in red.
The origins of the event go back to 1945, when a group of mischievous teenagers disrupted a parade by throwing tomatoes. Their playful protest escalated into a full-scale food fight, and though the authorities banned it for years, the tradition persisted and eventually became an official festival. Today, it draws curious travellers from all corners of the globe eager to join in the madness.
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The day itself follows a familiar rhythm: at 11am, trucks rumble into town, unloading over 100 tonnes of ripe tomatoes. When the starting cannon fires at midday, the square erupts into an hour of pure tomato mayhem, as strangers pelt each other until the streets are awash in crimson. At the sound of the final blast, the battle ends, and fire trucks hose down the town — and anyone still covered in pulp.
Yet La Tomatina is more than just a one-hour frenzy. In the week leading up to the big day, Buñol hosts an array of events: concerts, fireworks, parades, and late-night street parties that showcase the vibrant culture of this small Valencian town.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of diving headfirst into a living sea of tomato juice, next week is your chance. Just bring your goggles, a change of clothes, and a sense of humour.
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