La Tomatina - the most exciting and characteristic event of the Buñol fiestas - takes place on the last Wednesday in August; days beforehand, however, the town is already alive with music, festivity and fun.

It all began in 1945 when some local teenagers, taking part in the traditional and folkloric giants and big heads procession, decided to create their own niche within the parade. One of them grabbed some tomatoes from a market stall and threw them at the others, who retaliated immediately, giving rise to a spontaneous vegetable fight. 

Today the town square fills up with “tomatinos” – people eager to throw tomatoes, dance, play and end up completely covered in crimson tomato pulp. At 11am the Tomatina begins and participants paint the town red – snatching, crushing and hurling tomatoes at everyone in sight until everything and everybody is submerged in red.

This unique tomato festival in Buñol attracts people from all over the world and its huge rapport has turned it into a Festival of International Tourist Interest, since 2002.