The streets of Bunol, a small town in eastern Spain, turned into a sea of red on Wednesday as the world-famous Tomatina festival unleashed its annual tomato-fueled frenzy. In a vibrant spectacle that draws thousands from around the globe, some 22,000 participants, dressed in white, engaged in a joyous and messy battle, hurling overripe tomatoes at each other in what has become one of Spain’s most beloved traditions.
Bunol, located 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Valencia, hosts the Tomatina every year during the last week of August, transforming the quiet town into a playground for tomato enthusiasts. This year, seven trucks delivered a whopping 150 tons of ripe pear tomatoes, specially grown for the event, to the eager crowd. While non-residents paid a fee of 15 euros ($16.70) to join the festivities, Bunol’s locals enjoyed the event for free.
One of the highlights of the Tomatina is the surreal sight of participants, initially clad in pristine white, gradually becoming covered head-to-toe in red pulp as the battle ensues. “We love tomatoes! That’s why we decided to come, and we had a fab time,” said Taylor, an Australian visitor, her face smeared with tomato residue. She and her friends jokingly added that they planned to “make some spaghetti to have with the sauce” afterward.
The event kicks off with a unique and somewhat comical tradition: the palo jabón. A slippery pole, lathered in soap, is set up in the town square with a leg of ham dangling from the top. The fight only begins once a brave (and usually slippery) participant successfully climbs the pole and retrieves the ham. This year, the moment was signaled by the explosion of firecrackers, setting off an hour of chaotic, yet friendly, tomato warfare.
For many, Tomatina is more than just a food fight—it’s an experience of a lifetime. “Beautiful, wonderful, creative, mind-blowing,” Senam from Kenya described the festival, encapsulating the awe and excitement felt by first-timers and veterans alike.
As the hour-long tomato battle came to a close, Bunol’s streets were left carpeted in a thick layer of tomato puree. But thanks to the natural acidity of the tomatoes, which are too sour for human consumption and grown specifically for the festival, the town was soon sparkling clean. A dedicated cleaning crew armed with water hoses quickly washed away the remnants, leaving no trace of the chaotic fun that had just unfolded.
The Tomatina’s origins date back to 1945, when a spontaneous food fight broke out during a local parade. Legend has it that a group of youngsters, eager to get closer to the action, accidentally knocked over a participant, sparking a brawl that saw tomatoes from a nearby stand turned into makeshift projectiles. Though police quickly intervened to restore order, the impromptu fight left a lasting impression. The following year, the same group of youths, now armed with their own tomatoes, recreated the scene, planting the seeds for what would become an annual tradition.
The festival’s popularity only grew over the years, although it faced a brief ban in the 1950s under the rule of General Francisco Franco. Despite the prohibition, the townspeople’s love for Tomatina persisted, leading to its revival in 1959, albeit with a few rules to ensure safety.
Today, Tomatina stands as a testament to the joyous and playful spirit of its participants, capturing the hearts of those who travel from near and far to be part of this uniquely messy celebration. As the festival concludes each year, the town of Bunol quietly returns to its normal pace—until the next August, when the tomatoes will fly once more.