Over 22,000 People Throw Tomatoes At La Tomatina Festival

The annual “La Tomatina” festival in Buñol, Spain, saw 22,000 revellers engaging in a chaotic tomato-throwing spectacle.

This event, which began spontaneously in 1945 during a local festival, has grown into a global phenomenon, attracting visitors from around the world.

Held on the last Wednesday of August, the festival transforms the streets of Buñol into a sea of red, with 150,000 kilos of tomatoes used as ammunition, supplied by Frutas y Verduras Massanassa from nearby Silla.

The event kicks off at noon and lasts an hour, but the town hosts music and activities throughout the day. Tickets start at €15, with VIP options offering the chance to ride in trucks and participate in the tomato-throwing from above. However, these VIP tickets, priced over $500, saw limited sales.

The tomatoes, of the soft Valencian pear variety, are specifically grown for the festival and are not suitable for consumption.

Local authorities aim for a smooth event, ensuring safety and cleanup by 2 p.m. This festival, now a major international attraction, reflects the town’s unique heritage and showcases Buñol’s festive spirit to the world.

#MaltaDaily