The last Wednesday in August marks Spain’s messiest festival. Held in Buñol, 40km (25 miles) west of Valencia, La Tomatina is a tomato-throwing spectacle that draws 20,000 revelers each year. If you’re planning on becoming part of the human passata, here’s all the information you need to squeeze the most out of this chaotic celebration.
Following a two-year COVID-19 hiatus, the festival is set to return on August 31, 2022. Here’s everything you need to go to before you go.
What is La Tomatina?
The (ticketed) mayhem takes place in Plaza del Pueblo (Buñol’s main square) and Calle Cid. At around 9am the palo-jabón, a large greased pole with a ham attached to the end of it is hoisted into the air and there’s a mad scramble as people struggle against each other to pull it down.
At precisely 11am, regardless of whether someone has successfully grabbed the ham (which is rare), a firework signals trucks to start tipping over 100 tonnes of overripe, squishy tomatoes onto the square. For the next hour, everyone joins in a frenzied, cheerful, anarchic tomato battle until a second firework signals the end of play.
You haven’t done La Tomatina unless you…
Aren’t still finding bits of tomato in your hair, up your nose, under your nails and between your butt cheeks for days or even weeks after the festival.
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What to pack
A change of clothes (including shoes), which can typically be left on the coach you arrived on (if not, bring a backpack-style dry bag). Buñol City Council now provides showers, so you can freshen up to a degree before you get back on the bus.
Pack a chest strap if you’re planning to film the action with a GoPro, as you’ll need your hands free for hurling tomatoes (or shielding yourself from tomatoes being lobbed at you), and a fully waterproof phone case with a sturdy neck strap for your phone – if you dare to bring it.
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What to wear
Wear old clothes and closed-in shoes with decent grip, and a pair of swimming goggles to protect your eyes – the acidic tomato juice can sting. Ski goggles will also work,…
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