Thousands flock to Buñol for the chaotic, tomato-splattered La Tomatina festival

On the last Wednesday of August, Buñol hosted its famed La Tomatina, with more than 20,000 revelers covering the town in red pulp as trucks delivered overripe tomatoes into the throng. The hour-long melee featured pop music, occasional pepper-spray deployment by police, and participants wearing goggles and earplugs for safety. Tickets cost 15 euros, and the festival continues to attract a growing share of foreign tourists—about 40% of attendees over the past three years, according to EFE—especially visitors from India inspired by the 2011 Bollywood film “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.”

Indian guests such as Romail Khokhar, Mazhar Khan and Sanya Khan described the experience as a long-awaited dream, while Polish attendee Joanna Wytrzyszczewska said it exceeded the movie’s portrayal. Similar tomato-fighting events have been staged in locations like Florida, London and Hyderabad. After the cannon signaled the end, participants rinsed off in communal showers and the streets were hosed down, often leaving the town cleaner than before.