What is the story about?
If you’ve watched Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD), you probably remember Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, and the gang hurling ripe red tomatoes at each other
in the sun-soaked streets of Spain. That scene wasn’t a Bollywood exaggeration but an imitation of a real slice of Spanish culture: the legendary La Tomatina Festival in Spain. Since then, the festival has become a bucket-list dream for many Indians (and just about anyone with a sense of humour and a love of chaos). And this year, La Tomatina will be held on August 27!
A Quick Dive Into History
While there is no official word on how this festival began, some stories date the origin of this slush fest back to 1945. A parade of Giants and Big Heads culminated in a massive brawl, with both sides picking up anything and everything as a makeshift weapon. Some tomatoes kept on a vegetable cart were also used by people to their advantage, and well, the rest is history. While the festival was banned for a brief period, it was reinstated on popular demand (and a few protests).Nonetheless, Spain’s biggest food fight sees the quiet town of Bunol, with a population of roughly 10,000 swell in number by the thousands. While earlier the number of people attending the event were pegged at around 45,000, the event is now ticketed to control the crowd to 20,000 attendees each year.
How La Tomatina Is Celebrated (It Is Quite Messy But Fun)
On the last Wednesday of August, Buñol transforms into the world’s biggest food fight arena. Trucks loaded with over 100 metric tons of overripe tomatoes roll in, and the town’s narrow streets flood with locals and tourists armed with squishy ammunition.The party starts with the “palo jabón,” a zany contest where participants scramble up a slippery pole to grab a tantalising ham hanging at the top. Once the ham is snatched (or not, doesn’t matter for long), it’s game on! Trucks packed with ripe, squishy tomatoes roll into the streets, and the tomato battle begins.
But hold your horses, there are rules in this juicy chaos. Squashing the tomatoes before throwing them is the name of the game to minimise injuries. And before launching a tomato torpedo, it’s customary to shout ‘Tomate!’ to alert your target. For one hour, the streets become a tomato-flinging frenzy, painting the town red in the most literal sense. Then, as suddenly as it starts, the fight is over, and the fire trucks arrive to hose down the streets, and the participants.
Guide To Surviving La Tomatina
If you’re planning to attend La Tomatina 2025 in Spain, here are some survival tips:- Wear old clothes, since everything you wear will be ruined.
- Goggles are your best friend! Tomato juice stings more than you’d think.
- Squash before you throw (it’s actually a rule, to avoid injuries.)
- Closed shoes over flip-flops
- Don’t bring valuables — your phone won’t love a tomato bath.
- Hydrate and eat well before
FAQs on La Tomatina Festival Spain 2025
1. When is La Tomatina 2025?La Tomatina Festival 2025 will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in Buñol, Spain. It’s always celebrated on the last Wednesday of August.
2. Where is La Tomatina celebrated?
La Tomatina takes place in Buñol, a small town near Valencia in Spain. Every year, thousands of locals and tourists join the massive tomato fight.
3. How do I get tickets for La Tomatina 2025?
Tickets for La Tomatina Festival 2025 can be booked online through the official Buñol tourism website or authorised travel operators. Prices usually start around €15–€20.
Also Read: Locals vs Tourists: Protests Break Out In Spain, Italy & Portugal Over Overtourism
4. What are the rules of La Tomatina?
Squash tomatoes before throwing to avoid injuries.
No bottles or hard objects allowed.
Follow the firecracker signal which marks the start and end of the tomato fight.
5. How many tomatoes are used in La Tomatina?
Over 120 tons of ripe tomatoes are used every year, turning the streets of Buñol into a red sea of pulp.
Also Read: Do You Know Spain's New Tourist Rules? Read Before You Plan Your Vacation
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