La Tomatina Festival Spain – Everything You Need to Know
General Information
La Tomatina is one of the most popular festivals in Spain. It happens every year in the small town of Buñol, which is near Valencia. The festival is famous for its tomato fight, where people throw tomatoes at each other for fun.
The history of La Tomatina is quite interesting. It started in 1945 when a group of young people joined a parade with musicians. They wanted to be part of the event, but they accidentally knocked someone down. This caused a commotion, and the crowd began throwing tomatoes from a nearby vegetable stand at each other. They had so much fun that they decided to do it again the next year. Since then, it has become a yearly tradition.
Over the years, La Tomatina has grown in popularity. People from all around the world come to Buñol to take part in this unique and joyful event. It is now one of Spain’s most famous and well-loved festivals.
During La Tomatina, the streets of Buñol are filled with thousands of people. The town transforms into a sea of red as participants throw ripe tomatoes at each other. It’s a friendly and exciting event that lasts for about an hour. After the tomato fight, the streets are washed down, and everyone cleans up, leaving the town looking normal again.
La Tomatina is not just about the tomato fight. There are also many other activities and events in Buñol during the week of the festival. These include parades, music, dancing, and fireworks. The town has a festive atmosphere, and there is plenty to see and do.
Rules for La Tomatina
- No Hard Objects: Only tomatoes are allowed to be thrown. Do not bring any hard objects, such as bottles or other items, that could hurt someone.
- Crush the Tomatoes: Before throwing a tomato, you must squash it in your hand. This helps to reduce the impact and prevent injuries.
- Keep Safe Distance: Always keep a safe distance from the trucks that deliver the tomatoes. Do not climb on the trucks or interfere with their movement.
- No Tearing Clothes: Avoid tearing other participants’ clothing. While the event can be wild, respect others’ property and space.
- Stop When You Hear the Signal: The tomato fight starts and ends with a cannon shot. When you hear the second cannon, stop throwing tomatoes immediately.
Event Dates
La Tomatina takes place on the last Wednesday of August every year. Mark your calendar so you don’t miss it!
Schedule Info
The event starts early in the morning. Here’s the typical schedule:
10:00 AM: The event begins with the “palo jabón,” where people try to climb a greased pole to get a ham.
11:00 AM: Trucks bring in the tomatoes. The tomato fight starts when the cannon fires.
12:00 PM: The fight ends with another cannon shot.
Place
La Tomatina is held in Buñol, a small town near Valencia in Spain. The town gets very crowded, so it’s good to arrive early.
Price
The ticket price for La Tomatina is usually around 12 euros. Sometimes, special packages are available that include transportation and other activities.
How to Get There
Buñol is easy to reach from Valencia:
- By Train: Take a train from Valencia’s main station (Estación del Norte) to Buñol. The journey takes about 1 hour.
- By Bus: There are buses that go directly to Buñol for the festival.
- By Car: If you have a car, you can drive. It takes about 40 minutes from Valencia.
Make sure to wear old clothes and shoes. Bring goggles to protect your eyes. Have fun and enjoy La Tomatina!
