La Tomatina 2026
cultureWednesday, August 25, 2027
344 days from today · next occurrence
About La Tomatina
La Tomatina is the world's most famous food fight, held each year in the small town of Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, on the last Wednesday of August. For about an hour, tens of thousands of participants pack the streets and hurl roughly 120 tons of overripe tomatoes at anyone within range, coating everything and everyone in bright red pulp. It is chaotic, messy, and, by all accounts, enormous fun.
The event follows quirky rules: tomatoes must be crushed before throwing so they do not hurt, the fight cannot start until someone claims a ham from the top of a greased pole, and water trucks rinse the town clean afterward, aided by residents with hoses. Participants are advised to wear goggles and closed shoes they do not care about.
The festival has grown from a local scuffle into an international draw, with tickets required in recent decades. If you go, accept that no outfit survives - and that the stories will last far longer than the stains.
When is La Tomatina?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | August 26, 2026 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | August 25, 2027 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | August 30, 2028 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | August 29, 2029 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | August 28, 2030 | Wednesday |
History of La Tomatina
La Tomatina's origins trace to 1945, when a scuffle broke out during Bunol's summer parade: accounts say young men grabbed tomatoes from a vegetable stall and bombarded the crowd, and the food fight became an annual prank. Authorities banned it at times, and in the 1950s participants staged a tongue-in-cheek tomato burial protest when the event was canceled. The ban finally lifted, and the festival's popularity exploded after national television coverage in 1983. Bunol, a town of fewer than 10,000 residents, now sells tickets capped in the tens of thousands, and the event contributes significantly to the local economy. Trucks deliver tomatoes grown specifically for the fight in Extremadura, chosen because they are too soft for sale. What began as a street brawl is now one of Spain's most recognized festivals.
How to Celebrate La Tomatina
- Join the fight in Bunol with goggles, closed shoes, and clothes you will never wear again.
- Follow the rules and crush tomatoes before throwing so nobody gets hurt.
- Host a smaller-scale tomato-themed cookout with gazpacho, pan con tomate, and paella.
- Watch festival footage first if you are deciding whether to make the trip.
- Arrive early to enjoy Bunol's week-long festival of parades, music, and paella contests.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is La Tomatina?
- La Tomatina falls on the last Wednesday of August every year in Bunol, Spain. In 2026, that lands on August 26.
- Is La Tomatina a public holiday?
- No. It is a festival, not a public holiday. Bunol treats it as the highlight of its week-long town fiesta, but normal Spanish national holiday rules still apply.
- How do people celebrate La Tomatina?
- Participants celebrate by joining the hour-long tomato fight, following rules like crushing tomatoes before throwing, and enjoying the surrounding week of parades, music, and cooking contests.
- Do I need a ticket for La Tomatina?
- Yes. Since 2013 the town has limited entry with paid tickets that sell out quickly, so book well ahead and plan accommodation in nearby Valencia.