La Tomatina 2025: a ripe and ready guide

A small Spanish town with its streets running red with tomato pulp, and thousands of people joyfully taking part in the world’s biggest food fight. It sounds completely mad, and honestly, it is – but in the best possible way. This is La Tomatina, a festival that turns a small Valencian town into a sea of red for one glorious, chaotic hour each August. It’s one of those properly surreal, bucket-list experiences you’ll talk about for years, but getting involved in the organised chaos does take a bit of forward planning.

When and where is La Tomatina 2025?

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La Tomatina always takes place on the last Wednesday of August, and for 2025, that date is officially 27th August.

The whole thing goes down in Buñol, a small town just inland from Valencia. While the tomato fight is what everyone talks about, it’s actually the headline act of a week-long festival honouring the town's patron saint, San Luis Beltrán. The fight itself usually kicks off around 11 a.m., but you'll want to be there earlier to soak up the atmosphere and watch the famous palo jabón – a greasy pole with a leg of ham at the top that people try to climb before the chaos begins.

How to get tickets for the La Tomatina Festival 2025

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Gone are the days when you could just rock up to Buñol on the day. Since the festival got so huge, entry is now strictly ticketed to keep things safe and manageable. You absolutely must buy an official ticket in advance to get into the festival area. It's good to get this sorted out as soon as you decide you're going, because spots are limited and they sell out every single year. You can buy tickets directly from the official festival websites or from certified tour operators who often bundle them with transport and other extras. It's one of the most famous Spanish festivals, so getting your ticket early is key to avoiding disappointment.

La Tomatina 2025 ticket prices and packages

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The cost can vary quite a bit depending on how much you want included. A basic entry ticket on its own can be quite reasonable, starting at around €15, but that just gets you through the gates. You would then need to sort out your own way to and from Buñol, which can be a bit of a scramble on the day.

This is why most people go for a package deal. These are offered by various tour companies and are brilliant for taking the stress out of the logistics. They usually bundle the entry ticket with a private bus from a nearby city like Valencia, or sometimes from even further away. Often, these bundles include a few extra perks, like access to an after-party, a glass of sangria, a plate of paella, an official festival t-shirt, or even a guide to lead the way. If you fancy a truly unique view, some premium packages even get you a spot on one of the tomato trucks rolling through the streets.

Official schedule for the Spanish tomato festival

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So, what does the day of the Spanish tomato festival actually look like? Well, it's a bit of a brilliant, mad scramble. While the fight itself is the main event, the day starts earlier. People start arriving in Buñol from the early morning to get a good spot in the main square, the Plaza del Pueblo.

• Early morning (from 9 a.m.)

  The town starts to fill up. It’s best to arrive early to find your spot in the main square.

• Around 10 am. Palo Jabón

  The traditional warm-up event begins. A long, soapy pole with a Spanish ham (jamón) at the top is put up. The official start of the fight has to wait until someone manages to climb it and claim the prize.

• 11 am - The fight begins!

  A loud signal, usually a water cannon, is fired to announce the start of the battle. Trucks loaded with tomatoes begin to roll through the streets.

• 11 am to 12 pm - Battle of the tomatoes

  For one hour, it's a massive, joyous food fight. Grab the tomatoes from the street and let them fly.

• 12 pm (midday) - Ceasefire!

  A second signal is fired. This is the crucial sign that the battle is over, and you must stop throwing tomatoes immediately.

• 1 pm- The Big Clean-Up

  Fire trucks hose down the streets, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly the town is washed clean, with the acidity from the tomatoes leaving the cobblestones sparkling.

Rules and tips for the Tomatina festival in Spain

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First, the official rules of the game. These are non-negotiable, and everyone sticks to them:

• Squash before you throw: this is the golden rule. You must squeeze the tomatoes before launching them. A hard tomato can really hurt, and this is meant to be fun, not an actual battle.
• No hard objects: leave bottles, backpacks, and anything else that could cause an injury at your accommodation or in a locker.
• Mind the trucks: when the large trucks carrying the tomatoes come through, give them plenty of space. They are massive, and the crowds are dense, so keep a safe distance.
• Stop at the second signal: when that second signal fires at midday, it means stop. Seriously. The fight is over.

Now for some words of wisdom, the things you'll be glad you knew:

• Wear clothes you can throw away: don't wear anything you're fond of. It will be completely stained and ruined. For your feet, wear old trainers or closed-toe shoes with a good grip. Absolutely no flip-flops – your feet will get trampled on and the streets are incredibly slippery.
• Goggles are a game-changer: the acid from the tomatoes really stings your eyes. A cheap pair of swimming or snorkelling goggles will make the experience so much more enjoyable.
• Protect your tech: if you want to take photos, use a waterproof phone case or a waterproof camera. Everything will get soaked in tomato juice.
• Have a meeting point: the crowds are huge, and mobile signals can be patchy. If you're going with friends, agree on a clear meeting point for afterwards in case you get separated.

Getting to Buñol for La Tomatina

Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez, CC BY-SA 3.0 Creative commons

Buñol is a pretty small town, and on festival day, it feels like the whole world is trying to get in, so a little planning goes a long way. Most people stay in Valencia and travel to Buñol just for the day. The most straightforward and stress-free way to do this is by booking a tour package that includes a return bus trip. These buses have dedicated access and save you a lot of hassle. 

You could also take the local train from Valencia, but be prepared for it to be incredibly crowded. Driving there isn't the best idea as roads into the town centre are closed off, and parking would be a real headache.

The history of the Spain tomato festival

It all started by pure chance back in 1945, when a street brawl broke out among some young people during a parade. They happened to be next to a vegetable stall and started grabbing tomatoes to throw at each other. They must have had a good time because they did it again the next year, and a tradition was born. For years, it was an unofficial and even banned event, but the locals kept it alive until the town finally embraced it. Now, it’s celebrated as one of the most unique traditional holidays in Spain and a Festival of International Tourist Interest, drawing people from all over the world.

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More unique Spanish festivals for your calendar

If La Tomatina's joyful chaos has caught your eye, you should know that Spain's calendar is packed with wonderfully unique events. In Pamplona, the San Fermín festival is famous for its heart-pounding "Running of the Bulls." 

For something just as messy but a bit less intense, the town of Haro in La Rioja hosts the Batalla del Vino (Wine Battle), where thousands of people gather on a hillside to drench each other with red wine. 

In a completely different vein, Sant Jordi's Day in Barcelona is a beautiful celebration of books and roses, while the Patios de Córdoba festival sees the city's private courtyards burst into spectacular floral displays, which are opened up for everyone to admire.