Have you heard of La Tomatina? Every year on the last Wednesday of August, the small town of Buñol in Spain hosts the world’s biggest food fight—a tomato-throwing event where tons of tomatoes fly through the narrow streets of the Plaza del Pueblo. What started in the early 1950s as a spontaneous street brawl among a group of young people has turned into an annual event that attracts a growing number of participants, including many seasoned travelers.
Though it began as an unofficial act of rebellion, La Tomatina is now an official event supported by local authorities, featuring festival tickets, crowd limits, and even a local parade. Participants often wear old clothes, white T-shirts, or even a bathing suit to prepare for getting soaked in tomato juice. After the massive tomato fight, fire trucks hose down the streets and the Buñol River (or Bunol River) is used to help with the cleaning process.
Teaching your students about this iconic festival is a good idea if you want to explore Spanish culture and introduce interesting facts about one of the most unique Spanish festivals on the Spanish calendar. Below are engaging, no-prep activities to help you bring La Tomatina into your classroom this school year.
A Brief History: Origins of La Tomatina
The origins of La Tomatina trace back to the 1945, when a group of teenagers in Buñol disrupted a local parade with an impromptu street brawl near the town square. Caught up in the moment, they began pelting each other with nearby tomatoes from a market stall. The local community wasn’t pleased at first, and Francisco Franco banned the event for a time.
Still, the townspeople loved the energy, and by the mid-20th century, the event was brought back and gained official support. In time, it became part of a week-long celebration honoring patron saints like Luis Bertrán and Mare de Deu dels Desemparats.
What began as youthful chaos became one of Spain’s most iconic festivals, now enjoyed by thousands from around the globe.
Fun Fact: There is an event designed for children from 4 to 14 to participate in La Tomatina called La Tomatina Infantil.
What Happens at La Tomatina?
Today, La Tomatina has grown into a structured annual event that draws a large number of participants, requiring a ticket for La Tomatina to join in.
Here’s what to expect:
- The day begins with the palo jabón or greasy pole challenge—a tall pole smeared in soap with a ham placed on top.
- Once a participant reaches the top, the main event begins: for the next hour, the streets erupt into a massive tomato fight.
- Participants toss overripe tomatoes, specifically grown for the event due to the acidity of the tomato, their brilliant red color, and soft texture.
- Local authorities truck in thousands of pounds of tomatoes—these aren’t your own tomatoes!
- After the chaos, fire trucks help with the cleaning process and the some participants use the nearby Buñol River to clean themselves off.
Resources to Bring La Tomatina into Your Spanish Class
Whether or not you make it to Buñol yourself, you can bring the spirit of the festival into your classroom with these no-prep resources.
1. La Tomatina Color by Number Activity
This activity is an artistic way to introduce students to the brilliant red of the tomatoes that cover Buñol during the main event. Students review numbers and colors in Spanish while learning about the acidity of the tomato and why only overripe tomatoes—not your own tomatoes—are allowed in the battle.
👉 Grab the Color by Number here.
2. La Tomatina Stations – Digital & PDF Format
These six stations guide students through the origins of La Tomatina, provide a mix of digital and printable activities that give students the chance to explore the festival in more depth about how it has evolved from a small group of teenagers to a festival of international fame. Stations include topics that teach the students about the fun and energetic chaos associated with the event. These stations allow for differentiated instruction and cater to various learning styles, making it a great resource for any Spanish classroom.
3. Pasaporte Cultural: La Tomatina Reading Passage
This reading passage helps students explore different points of view from brave participants who gather in the streets of Buñol to celebrate this wild food fight festival. With questions in English and Spanish, students reflect on local culture, La Tomatina facts, and the rich history of the event—even about how the event was once banned by Francisco Franco. This Pasaporte Cultural reading activity takes students on a virtual trip to Buñol, Spain, where they’ll learn the history and cultural significance of La Tomatina. With engaging reading passages and comprehension questions, this resource helps students deepen their understanding of this famous event while improving their Spanish reading skills.
👉 Get the reading passage here.
4. La Tomatina Research & Poster Activity
Students dive deep into La Tomatina’s history by independently researching the event. This version includes a digital version of the reseach activity and an additional poster activity that will be great for display. Let your students become La Tomatina experts! With this La Tomatina Cultural Research Activity, students can explore the festival’s origins, traditions, and global impact through guided research. This is a great project to assign individually or in groups, encouraging independent learning while fostering cultural appreciation.
👉 Check out the research activity here.
Whether you’re celebrating La Tomatina for a day or a week-long celebration, these activities highlight one of the most unforgettable Spanish festivals. They offer a playful but meaningful way to experience the world’s largest food fight and celebrate Spanish culture in your classroom. These activities are perfect for celebrating this vibrant festival in your classroom, whether you’re focusing on reading, speaking, or interactive tasks. Your students will love learning about this wild tomato-throwing event while engaging with the language in a fun and meaningful way.
For more cultural activities and resources, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store and bring Spain’s wildest celebration to your students!
