La Tomatina Festival 2025: Interesting Facts + Key Spanish Terms

You probably know that tomatoes are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, making them great for your health. But did you know they're also perfect for learning about Spanish culture? This August 27th, the small town of Buñol in Spain will once again transform into a red, pulpy battleground as thousands gather for La Tomatina—the world’s largest tomato fight.

In this post, I’ll explain everything you need to know about La Tomatina 2025 and share some essential Spanish terms to help you join conversations about this wonderfully chaotic celebration.

What Is La Tomatina?

La Tomatina is Spain's annual tomato-throwing festival held in the small town of Buñol, located about 40 kilometers west of Valencia. Every last Wednesday of August, this quiet town of 9,000 residents becomes the stage for the world's largest food fight, attracting roughly 20,000 participants from around the globe.

The entire event lasts just one hour (from 11 AM to 12 PM), but during that time, around 150,000 kilograms of overripe tomatoes transform the streets into a sea of red pulp. The festival begins when someone successfully climbs a greased pole to retrieve a ham hanging at the top, a tradition called "palo jabón" or soap stick.

Once achieved (or after a set time limit), trucks roll through Buñol's narrow streets distributing specially grown, soft tomatoes to eager participants. The rules are straightforward: squash tomatoes before throwing them to avoid injury, no bottles or hard objects allowed, and everyone must stop when the second cannon fires.

When Is La Tomatina Festival?

La Tomatina always takes place on the last Wednesday of August, which in 2025 falls on August 27th. The actual tomato throwing happens during a precise one-hour window from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, making it one of the world's shortest festivals in terms of the main event.

The timing of this festival coincides with the tomato harvest season in Spain, ensuring plenty of overripe tomatoes are available for the festivities. While the tomato fight itself lasts just 60 minutes, the celebration extends throughout the morning with traditional activities, music, and the famous "palo jabón" pole-climbing contest.

Here's when La Tomatina will take place over the next ten years:

• 2025: August 27th
• 2026: August 26th
• 2027: August 25th
• 2028: August 30th
• 2029: August 29th
• 2030: August 28th
• 2031: August 27th
• 2032: August 25th
• 2033: August 31st
• 2034: August 30th

What Type of Tomatoes Are Used for La Tomatina?

The tomatoes are supplied by local growers from Extremadura, Castellón, and Xilxes in Spain. These are specifically grown for the festival and are not good enough to eat, which keeps costs significantly lower than premium eating tomatoes.

These tomatoes are intentionally soft and overripe, designed to splatter easily on impact without causing injury to participants. Around 150,000 kilograms of these festival-grade tomatoes are delivered by truck on the morning of the event, providing ammunition for the hour-long battle while ensuring no good food goes to waste.

History Of La Tomatina

La Tomatina started in 1945 as a spontaneous food fight among teenagers in Buñol's town square during a local festival parade. What began as young people throwing tomatoes from a nearby vegetable stand quickly spread to bystanders, creating such chaos that local authorities initially banned the event. However, residents loved the tradition so much they continued it unofficially for years, even during Franco's dictatorship when it was banned for being "un-Christian."

The town council finally recognized it as an official festival in 1957, and it remained mostly local until Spanish television coverage in the 1980s brought national attention. Eventually, it became the international phenomenon it is today.

How To Participate In La Tomatina Festival 2025?

Joining in the fun at La Tomatina is easier when you know what to expect. Whether it's your first time or you're returning for more, being prepared will help you have a safe and memorable experience. In this section, we'll go over what you need to know to participate in this tomato-throwing festival.

Getting Your Ticket

Participating in La Tomatina requires advance planning since tickets are mandatory and sell out quickly. The festival is capped at 20,000 participants, so you'll need to purchase your entry ticket online through the official La Tomatina website months ahead of time. Tickets typically cost around €12-15 and include access to the tomato fight area during the designated hour.

What to Wear and Bring

Wear old clothes you don't mind destroying and closed-toe shoes with good grip, as the streets become incredibly slippery with tomato pulp. Bring goggles or sunglasses to protect your eyes, and consider wearing gloves. Leave valuables at home or in waterproof bags, since everything will get covered in tomato.

Day of the Festival

Arrive in Buñol early—most participants get there by 9 AM to secure good spots near the action. The rules are simple: squash tomatoes before throwing them to avoid injury, don't bring bottles or hard objects, tear off clothing tags to prevent cuts, and stop immediately when you hear the second cannon shot at noon. Most importantly, respect other participants and follow the safety guidelines—this is meant to be fun, not dangerous.

After the Battle

After the battle ends at noon, local fire trucks hose down the streets and participants, so stick around for the cleanup if you want to rinse off before heading home.

Vocabulary Related To La Tomatina

Learning key Spanish terms related to La Tomatina will help you navigate conversations about the festival and communicate with locals during your visit. These words range from basic festival vocabulary to specific actions and phrases you'll hear throughout the day.

FAQs About La Tomatina Festival

Below, we will share some of the most common questions about La Tomatina festival.

1. What Happens At La Tomatina Festival?

La Tomatina is a festival in which participants participate in a massive tomato-throwing event. Thousands of people gather in the streets to throw overripe tomatoes at each other, creating a lively and chaotic spectacle.

2. How Long Does The Tomatina Festival Last?

La Tomatina is a one-day event, usually held on the last Wednesday of August. The tomato fight itself lasts about an hour, from 11 AM to around noon. However, the celebrations surrounding the festival can go on for several days.

3. Can Everyone Participate In The Tomatina Festival?

Currently, children also have the chance to participate in the festival. The children's Tomatina is celebrated on August 24th and is the opportunity for children from 4 to 12 to enjoy the event.

Closing Words

La Tomatina is a fantastic festival full of fun and excitement, giving you a glimpse into Spanish culture in a lively and colorful way. Regardless of whether you're taking part in the festivities or just learning about them, getting to know different cultures can make these experiences even richer.

If you’re interested in learning Spanish, check out Lingopie! It’s a great tool that makes language learning entertaining and effective by using TV shows and movies to teach you new languages through authentic content. It's a fantastic way to engage with language and culture, making every learning experience as exciting as La Tomatina itself.