Spain has a never-ending list of interesting events, but none quite as iconic as La Tomatina. A giant tomato fight on the streets of Buñol, it attracts people from all over the world who come to take part in this exciting (and messy) annual festival.
But like any big event, careful planning is required. For La Tomatina 2026, you’ll need to figure out how to get tickets, choose where to stay, and understand what happens before and after the fight to ensure you get the most out of your trip.
Here’s our La Tomatina guide!
What is La Tomatina, and why does it exist?
Often described as the world’s largest food fight, La Tomatina brings together up to 20,000 people in Buñol, 40 km west of Valencia, for an hour-long tomato-throwing showdown every year. Traditionally, the event has been held on the last Wednesday of August, with this year’s festival scheduled for the 26th August.
There was a time when La Tomatina had no cap at all, but that slowly changed as its popularity grew. When attendance started reaching around 50,000, organizers decided to introduce a 20,000-ticket cap to prevent overcrowding, and it has remained in place since 2013.
The history behind La Tomatina
It is believed that the unusual tradition of La Tomatina began in 1945, when a group of young people joined a parade of musicians marching through Buñol. The situation quickly escalated when one of the participants fell over, sparking a fight. People began grabbing tomatoes from nearby market stalls and throwing them at one another, leading to what would eventually become La Tomatina.
The festival faced opposition in its early years and was banned for a period before later being recognized as an official event.
La Tomatina 2026: Date, location, and key facts
- Date: Wednesday the 26th of August 2026 (always happens on the last Wednesday of every August).
- Location: The town of Buñol in Spain, which lies 40 km west of Valencia.
- Duration: The fight is held for a total of one hour, starting at 12:00 and ending at 13:00.
- Tickets: To attend La Tomatina, you must purchase a wristband from official authorized sellers.
- Availability: With only 20,000 spots available for the event, tickets are in high demand, so you’ll need to get them early to secure your spot.
- La Tomatina for Kids (Tomatina Infantil): A children’s version of La Tomatina is on Saturday the 22nd of August for kids aged between 4 and 14. It is a much safer event that is fenced in an enclosed space.
- How it works: First gunfire: start throwing tomatoes. Second gunfire 1 hour later: everyone must stop throwing tomatoes.
- Throwing rules: You’re only allowed to throw squashed tomatoes; throwing full tomatoes is not permitted.
- Pre-fight ritual ‘The Palo Jabón’: Before the fighting commences, there is a ritual where people from the crowd climb a greased pole to retrieve a piece of ham from the top.
How to get tickets for La Tomatina 2026
Since La Tomatina is a ticketed event, you have to purchase your passes beforehand to attend. Entry tickets can be bought through authorized sellers like the official Tomatina.es website, with certain packages including transport from nearby cities, such as Valencia, Alicante, and Benidorm.
Some companies also give you the option to pay extra for locker space and add on a food and drinks package.
La Tomatina 2026: What to wear (and what not to bring)
Figuring out what to pack (and what not to pack) for La Tomatina can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time.
Essential Items to Pack
Most people wear shorts, ideally swim or gym shorts that dry quickly, and a white T-shirt. Since La Tomatina is in Spain during August, the weather is usually hot, so lightweight clothing is the most comfortable option. It’s best to wear something you don’t mind throwing away afterward, as the tomato stains can be difficult to remove.
One La Tomatina tip we recommend is to wear closed-toe shoes, as the streets can be quite slippery. A decent pair of goggles will also come in handy to prevent the tomato juice from getting into your eyes. Don’t forget a waterproof phone case either, as you don’t want your device getting destroyed.
You should also bring a spare change of clothes for afterward, unless you want to spend the rest of the day covered in tomatoes. Paid storage lockers are provided on site if you need somewhere secure to leave your belongings during the event.
Key items for women
Many women choose to wear a sports bra or swimwear underneath their clothes for extra coverage, as outer layers can sometimes get damaged during the tomato fight.
Items you should leave behind
Skip the flip-flops; you’ll only end up slipping on the street. Hard objects aren’t permitted either, for obvious safety reasons. Bags are allowed in town but not in the fighting area, so you’ll need to find somewhere to leave them.
La Tomatina rules 2026—Read these before you go
- Do not pull at other people’s clothes: Dragging or tearing someone’s t-shirt or shorts is prohibited.
- Squash your tomatoes before throwing them: Crush them with your hands first; don’t throw them whole.
- Stop throwing once the second gunshot sounds: The first shot is your signal to start; the second signal means to stop.
- Listen to security staff at all times: They’re there to keep order and make sure the event runs safely, so follow their instructions.
- No hard or foreign objects are allowed in the battle zone: Leave bottles or anything else that could cause harm at home or in a locker.
- Give way to the tomato trucks: Don’t crowd around them or try to climb on them, or you’ll find yourself in trouble.
What the day actually looks and feels like
On the morning of La Tomatina in Buñol, the town gradually gets busier as the trains and buses start arriving from nearby cities like Valencia, bringing in people who are taking part. The atmosphere builds slowly throughout the morning, especially around Plaza del Pueblo, the town’s main square where all the action happens.
Palo Jabón
About an hour before the first gunshot, the Palo Jabón will kick off.
A greased pole is put up with a chunk of cured ham stuck to the top, and ticket holders must then attempt to climb the slippery pole and reach the top to claim the prize. It used to be that whenever someone got to the ham, the tomato throwing would begin, but that has since changed. The fight now kicks off at noon regardless.
The start of the fight
Just before 12:00, the trucks loaded with tomatoes arrive. People are already standing inside and throwing tomatoes down into the streets, which becomes everyone’s ammunition for the fight ahead. For the next hour, tomatoes will fly in every direction.
Keep in mind that La Tomatina can be exhausting. The town gets extremely busy, and being surrounded by so many people in the August heat is intense. Take breaks when needed and don’t push yourself too hard.
When the action is over
Fire trucks then move in with hoses to wash down the streets and help bring life back to normal for the locals. There’s also an afterparty, ‘La Tomatina After Party,’ held in Valencia, if you’d like to keep the celebrations going. Tickets for the after-party are sold separately.
After the fight: Cleaning up and getting back
The extensive clean-up operation that follows La Tomatina is quite remarkable. Fire trucks move through first to blast the tomato remains off the streets, followed by a team of cleaners who clear the drains, sweep up, and remove the leftover items like goggles and T-shirts. It takes a fair amount of work to clear the tomatoes from the buildings too, but many shop owners and local businesses pitch in to help.
Plaza del Pueblo is usually cleared first, but the surrounding streets can take a little longer. By the next day, you’d barely know anything had happened. People who live in the town don’t seem to mind that much, as the whole area ends up looking spotless once everything is cleaned up.
As part of the experience, the tomato trucks often hose down participants as they pass through the streets, so you won’t have to walk around covered in tomato. One La Tomatina first-time tip to remember is to keep an eye out for the designated wash-down areas around town, where you can rinse off after the fight.
Where to stay—Why Valencia is the right base
Most people attending La Tomatina Festival 2026 will choose to stay in Valencia because there’s far more choice when it comes to accommodation. It’s a bigger city, so with more options available, prices also tend to be better than in Buñol, which is a small town with very few hotels.
While staying in Buñol itself is convenient, after the event is over, the streets are quiet, with most people having already gone back to Valencia for the afterparty. As it’s only a 40 km journey, Welcome’s transfers make it easy to get there and back without having to compete with thousands of attendees for public transport.
Getting there: Valencia Airport and transport to Buñol
If you’re flying in for the La Tomatina festival experience, you’ll most likely arrive at Valencia Airport, which is around 8 km from the city center. From there, you’ll need to get to Buñol.
For those wondering how to get to La Tomatina from Valencia, the Renfe train takes around an hour, departing from stations like Fuente San Luis or Valencia San Isidro. There are also shared, organized bus transfers running from Valencia, Madrid, Barcelona, and other cities, with tickets included. However, you’ll be sharing with other passengers and have to stick to fixed departure times.
For a more comfortable travel experience, consider booking a private transfer in Valencia with Welcome. We’ll collect you directly from Valencia Airport or your hotel and take you to the festival in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle reserved exclusively for your group.
Frequently asked questions
When is La Tomatina 2026? 
The La Tomatina 2026 date is set for the 26th of August in Buñol. Every year, the world’s largest food fight is held on the last Wednesday of August, and it lasts for one hour, starting at 12:00 and ending at 13:00.
Where does La Tomatina take place?
La Tomatina is held in the Spanish town of Buñol, situated 40 km from Valencia. For those attending, it’s worth arranging transport ahead of time, as demand for trains and buses can be high. This is why many opt for private transfers instead, which offer fixed pricing with no hidden fees.
How do I get tickets for La Tomatina 2026?
Tickets can be purchased through the official La Tomatina website or with other licensed sellers. You can buy them individually or choose a package that includes transport, entry, and in some cases meals. Always compare your options to see what suits your plans best.
How many people can attend La Tomatina?
Only 20,000 La Tomatina tickets for 2026 will be available, a limit that has been in place since 2013. Before the cap was introduced, attendance often reached between 40,000 and 50,000 people, leading organizers to limit numbers.
What should I wear to La Tomatina?
Most attendees wear old clothing, typically white T-shirts and shorts. Opt for closed shoes like Crocs instead of flip-flops, as they offer better support and grip on the slippery streets.
A waterproof phone case and a pair of swimming goggles are also good items to bring to protect your phone and your eyes.
What are the rules at La Tomatina?
No hard objects are allowed into the fighting area, pulling at other people’s clothing isn’t permitted, and all tomatoes must be squashed before being thrown. The first gunshot marks the beginning of the fight, while the second signals that it is over. Additionally, attendees are also expected to follow staff instructions and give way to the tomato trucks as they arrive.
How long does the tomato fight last?
The fight lasts one hour, with the first tomatoes thrown at exactly 12:00 and the event ending at 13:00. Once 13:00 hits, you’re not allowed to throw any more tomatoes, and attendees must clear the streets to allow the trucks through for the clean-up.
How do I get from Valencia to Buñol for La Tomatina?
You can travel by Renfe train or by an organized bus transfer through a company selling ticket packages. Alternatively, a fixed-price transfer with Welcome Pickups means you have a reliable ride waiting for you, helping you avoid early starts and crowded public transport. We’ll pick you up from your chosen location at a time that suits you.
: Is La Tomatina suitable for children?
Yes, there’s a dedicated children’s event called Tomatina Infantil, which is held on the 22nd of August for kids between the ages of 4 and 14. It’s calmer than the adult version and takes place in a smaller, enclosed area, making it safe for younger attendees.
Where should I stay for La Tomatina 2026?
Valencia is the best base for La Tomatina, thanks to the sheer volume of accommodation available. You’ll find better deals there than in Buñol, and the drive between the two is only around 45 minutes, with plenty of transport options available, including Welcome’s fixed-price rides.
