La Tomatina Festival Returns to Buñol
The world-famous La Tomatina tomato fight festival will take place on August 28, 2024, in the town of Buñol, near Valencia, Spain. This annual event attracts thousands of participants from all over the world who come together to take part in a grand battle, throwing over one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes at each other in the streets of Buñol.
During La Tomatina, Buñol's population significantly increases. Before 2013, the festival attracted between 40,000 to 50,000 people, causing participants to crowd the town's narrow streets. With the introduction of an official ticketing system in 2013, the number of participants has been limited to 20,000 to ensure safety and manageability.
The festivities begin around noon when trucks loaded with tomatoes arrive at Plaza del Pueblo, the town's central square. The tomatoes, sourced from Extremadura due to their affordability, are unloaded, and the fight officially starts after someone climbs a greased pole to reach a ham at the top—a task often left unfinished. Regardless, the signal for the fight's start is the firing of water cannons, kicking off an hour of chaotic tomato throwing where it's every person for themselves.
Due to limited accommodation in Buñol, many visitors opt to stay in nearby Valencia, which is only 38 kilometers away and easily accessible by bus or train. Shopkeepers in Buñol prepare for the tomato attack by covering their storefronts with huge plastic sheets to protect against the mess.
After the hour-long battle, no more tomatoes can be thrown. Cleanup involves fire trucks hosing down the streets with water from a Roman aqueduct. While the town is thoroughly cleaned, participants often wash off the tomato pulp in the nearby Buñol River or receive a helpful hose-down from friendly locals.
The origins of La Tomatina date back to 1944 or 1945, though the exact beginnings are unclear. Various theories suggest it started as a local food fight, a juvenile prank, or even an attack on city councilmen during a town celebration. Despite its mysterious origins, the event has grown in popularity and is now held in honor of Buñol's patron saints, Luis Bertran and the Mare de Deu dels Desemparats (Mother of God of the Defenseless).
Buñol, located 38 kilometers west of Valencia, is easily accessible by various airlines. Early bookings can secure competitive flight rates to Valencia, with airlines such as EasyJet, Ryanair, and Iberia offering regular flights from various UK airports.