Get Ready to Get Messy: La Tomatina
The La Tomatina Festival is a well-known and thrilling event that takes place in the town of Buñol in Valencia, Spain. When many people think of this festival, they may recall the film Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara, which highlighted La Tomatina as one of its many exciting travel destinations.
The festival features a massive food fight where tons of ripe tomatoes are thrown at each other by participants, drawing thousands of visitors each year who are eager to experience the event firsthand.
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, La Tomatina has returned to celebrate its 75th anniversary on August 31, 2022. The tomato fight is undoubtedly the highlight of the festival, but there are also other activities leading up to the main event, including paella cook-offs, parades, open-air parties, and fireworks.
La Tomatina is a renowned and exciting festival that takes place in the charming town of Buñol in Valencia, Spain. Getting there is easy as it’s just 40 km away from Valencia, and you can take a bus, train, or car to reach there.
The tomato fight is the primary attraction of the festival, but visitors can also enjoy other activities such as paella cook-offs, parades, open-air parties, and fireworks.
The festival kicks off at 12 noon with a bang! Trucks loaded with ripe tomatoes drive through the fight area, and some locals in the back of the trucks throw the tomatoes at the festival-goers.
As soon as the trucks pass by, everyone dives onto the ground to scoop up as many tomatoes as possible, getting themselves armed for the battle… and that’s when the real fun begins!
The next hour will be one of the most intense and hilarious experiences of your life, as you join in the tomato fight and let loose your playful side.
For the residents of Buñol, La Tomatina is a crucial part of their cultural identity and an opportunity to showcase their town to the world.
Rules:
Despite the festive chaos, the local town council has implemented several rules to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants at La Tomatina.
1. It is required to crush tomatoes before throwing them to prevent injuries.
2. Participants are prohibited from tearing or ripping t-shirts during the festival.
3. Only tomatoes are allowed to be thrown during the fight; no other objects are permitted.
4. Once the second warning signal has sounded, no additional tomatoes may be thrown.
5. Participants must clear a path for the tomato-carrying trucks.
REASONS TO ATTEND LA TOMATINA
● For those passionate about photography, the La Tomatina Festival presents an excellent opportunity to capture unique and memorable images.
The exuberant crowd engaged in the tomato-throwing frenzy provides a thrilling spectacle to photograph, and the resulting photos of hundreds of people drenched in red tomatoes are sure to be stunning. Therefore, attending this festival would be a photographer’s delight.
● The La Tomatina festival provides an opportunity to indulge in authentic Spanish cuisine, featuring a diverse range of dishes such as tostadas con tomate (toasted bread with tomato), Basque-style mini sandwiches called pinxtos, and Spanish bravas – fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
These are just a few examples of the extensive selection of delicacies available at the festival.
● Attending the La Tomatina festival offers a unique opportunity to witness one of the largest cultural celebrations worldwide. This festival showcases the vibrant and festive spirit of Spain through extravagant parades, breathtaking fireworks displays, and an impressive Paella cooking competition.
It is an ideal occasion to immerse oneself in the essence of Spain and relish its diverse offerings, all in one place.
Are you curious about when the amazing Tomatina festival is happening? Well, mark your calendars for August 30th, 2023, at 12 noon!
It’s going to be an absolute blast! And guess what?
The official ticket sales for 2023 are open now! Don’t miss out on this incredible experience!
