Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Thousands Join La Tomatina Tomato Fight In Spain
La Tomatina is a giant tomato-throwing festival in Buñol, Spain.
Thousands of people come to join the messy celebration.
Trucks carry soft, overripe tomatoes through the crowd.
People throw the tomatoes after squashing them so they are less likely to hurt someone.
The fight lasts for about an hour.
Many participants wear goggles and earplugs to protect themselves.
When a cannon fires, everyone knows the event is over.
People wash off in communal showers, and the town hoses down its streets.
A Bollywood movie helped make the festival especially popular with visitors from India.
More than 20,000 people were expected to attend La Tomatina in Buñol, Spain.
Participants threw up to 165 tons of overripe tomatoes during the hourlong food fight.
The annual festival is held on the last Wednesday of August and began with a 1945 food fight.
Tourists from outside Spain made up roughly 40% of participants over the past three years, according to EFE.
Visitors paid 15 euros for tickets, and the event ended with a cannon blast, communal showers and street cleaning.
- Who
- More than 20,000 revelers, including many international tourists, were expected to participate.
- What
- Participants took part in La Tomatina, an annual food fight using up to 165 tons of overripe tomatoes.
- When
- The event took place on Wednesday and is held annually on the last Wednesday of August.
- Where
- Buñol, a small town in Spain.
- Why
- The festival is held as an annual tradition that began after a 1945 food fight and later became an international attraction.
- Event
- La Tomatina
- Location
- Buñol, Spain
- Tomatoes used
- Up to 165 tons of overripe tomatoes
- Expected attendance
- More than 20,000 people
- Ticket price
- 15 euros ($17.50) for non-local attendees
- Duration
- More than one hour
- Safety rule
- Participants must squash tomatoes before throwing them