Event Details
La Tomatina 2026: The World's Biggest Food Fight
On Wednesday, 26 August 2026, the small Spanish town of Buñol becomes the most colourful battlefield on earth. For exactly one hour, around 20,000 participants hurl overripe tomatoes at each other until the cobblestones of the Plaza del Pueblo are buried in red pulp. The starting gun fires at precisely 12:00 noon, and the second gun ends the fight at 13:00. No other festival in the world offers this unique combination of pure joy, community spirit and glorious chaos.
History and Background
La Tomatina traces its origins to 1945, when a spontaneous scuffle broke out during a local parade in Buñol and participants began throwing tomatoes from a nearby market stall. What started by accident quickly became an annual tradition. Briefly banned during the Franco era, the festival was reinstated in 1957 following public demand. In 2002, Spain officially declared La Tomatina an Event of International Tourist Interest. Since 2013, attendance has been capped at 20,000 and entry requires an advance ticket.
Festival Programme
- From 09:00 AM: Visitors arrive in Buñol and the atmosphere begins to build in the streets
- Around 10:30 AM: Palo Jabón, the traditional greased-pole climbing competition with a leg of ham as the prize
- 11:00 AM: Official pre-festival programme around Plaza del Pueblo
- 12:00 PM: Starting gun fires; tomato trucks roll into Plaza del Pueblo
- 1:00 PM: Second gun signals the end of the tomato fight
- 1:00 to 2:00 PM: Fire hoses clean the streets; shower facilities open for participants
- From 2:00 PM: After-party in Buñol and Valencia
Tickets
Since 2013, La Tomatina has been a strictly ticketed event. There is no walk-up entry and no tickets are sold at the gate. The official basic entry ticket costs €15 per person and grants access to the tomato fight area in Buñol. Tickets are available through the official website tomatina.es. Sales typically open in January or February; historically, 60 to 70 percent of tickets sell out within the first three months. Visitors who want transport, shower access, luggage storage and after-party included in one booking can choose a package from an official tour operator, with prices starting from approximately €139 per person including return transport from Valencia.
Rules of the Fight
- Always squash tomatoes before throwing to prevent injury.
- Throw only tomatoes, never any other object.
- Do not tear other participants' clothing.
- Keep clear of the trucks and do not climb on them.
- Stop immediately when the second gun fires.
- Glass bottles are strictly prohibited.
Visitor Tips
- Wear old clothes you are happy to throw away afterwards. Tomato stains are permanent.
- Closed-toe shoes with grip are essential. The cobblestones become extremely slippery.
- Wear protective goggles to shield your eyes from acidic tomato pulp.
- Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch or leave it behind.
- Stay in Valencia and travel to Buñol by Renfe Cercanías commuter train (line C-3, approximately one hour, around €4). Accommodation in Buñol itself is extremely limited.
- Book your Valencia hotel several months in advance as the city fills up during Tomatina week.
- Driving to Buñol is not recommended; parking becomes completely gridlocked after 1:00 PM.
- Bring water and light snacks as August heat in Spain can be intense.
Getting There
Buñol is located approximately 40 kilometres west of Valencia. The easiest and most affordable option is the Renfe Cercanías commuter train (line C-3) from Valencia Estación del Norte, taking around one hour for approximately €4. Visitors with a package ticket travel by organised shuttle bus from Valencia with their tour operator. Driving is strongly discouraged on festival day.
