# data[].attributes.headline
Thailand's Yi Peng Lantern Festival Is Absolutely Magical

# data[].attributes.subject
Thailand's Yi Peng Lantern Festival Is Absolutely Magical

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.travelawaits.com/2482222/thailand-yi-peng-festival/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Related:

Due to changing advisories, please check local travel guidelines before visiting.

One of the most wonderfully beautiful things about world travel is the exploration and discovery of different cultures, the festivals they have, and the traditions and belief systems they adhere to. Religious festivals are some of the most unique and eye-opening experiences to have in another country and can make for a meaningful reason to visit a new land.

The Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai is one such festival that is definitely worth attending. Not only is it incredibly beautiful, but it is loaded with meaning for anyone who chooses to participate, regardless of your religion or personal belief system.

1. Yi Peng Is The Traditional Lantern Release Festival You've Seen Imagined In Film

Remember that scene in Disney's Tangled where they release the lanterns into the sky? That comes from the concept of the lantern festival of Yi Peng. There are other lantern festivals as well, such as Loy Krathong, which is a release of lanterns onto the water rather than into the air. The imagery of Yi Peng, specifically, is transcendent, while its personal meaning, for many, is unmatched by any other celebration of the year.

2. Yi Peng Takes Place In Chiang Mai In Northern Thailand

The Thailand Lantern Festival -- or Yi Peng -- is celebrated primarily in the northern part of Thailand, specifically in Chiang Mai. Each participant releases their sky lantern into the air at approximately the same time in the evening after music, other celebratory entertainment, or prayer. Thousands of lanterns ascend simultaneously, lifting at various speeds, introducing various levels of brightness to the night sky. Many of the areas where the releases happen -- including the release at Maejo University -- are exceptionally crowded.

3. Yi Peng Is Deeply Rooted In Buddhism And Is A Religious Festival

The Yi Peng celebration is deeply rooted in Buddhism. In fact, many people believe it originated in India and is inspired by the legend of the candle-carrying bird that visited Buddha to speak with him about merit. Today, some celebrants believe paying respects to the Buddha is a way to be reborn into the next life with great joy, purity, and popularity.

4. The Lanterns Used In The Ceremony Are Called Khom Loi

The beautiful paper lanterns, which are released into the air each year in November, are called khom loi or khom fai. Khom loi are made from thin material such as rice paper with a candle or fire starter attached. The fire generates hot air that is trapped inside the lantern, which accounts for the lightweight sky lantern's lift. As the lantern rises, the fire produces energy that allows it to drift in different directions as it flies into the night sky.

5. The Festival Takes Place Each Year On The Evening Of The 12th Full Moon In The Thai Calendar

Yi Peng is held each year for three nights, starting with the night of the full moon. In 2019, for example, the festival will begin on November 11 and end on the night of the 13th. This year, Loy Krathong coincides with Yi Peng, meaning lotus-shaped baskets decorated with flowers and candles will be released into the rivers as the lanterns of Yi Peng are released into the sky.

6. The Festival Is Believed To Be A Time To "Make Merit"

The history books of Thailand tell us that this time of year -- the time of the twelfth full moon -- is when the moon will appear its fullest and brightest. This makes this full moon the perfect time to "make merit" -- or a wish for good fortune in the new year.

The release of the lanterns can be understood as an act of releasing your bad luck and mistakes into oblivion. If your lantern disappears into the darkness before the candle burns out, it is said that you will have extremely good luck that year. If it crashes while still lit, you may have bad luck all year long.

7. You Can Buy Khom Loi From Street Vendors Or In Stores

If you make it to Thailand for the incredible Yi Ping experience, you can purchase khom loi almost anywhere before the celebration begins. Many street vendors will have them for sale, and local shops will as well. Be sure to make a purchase fairly early on, though, as they may run out. The crowds are pretty heavy during this festival, so thinking and purchasing ahead will be helpful.

You'll also want to book your accommodations well in advance if you don't want to wander the streets all night. Finally, arrive at the location where you plan to participate in or observe the festival early.

Tips For Releasing Your Own Khom Loi

If you're able to journey to Chiang Mai for Yi Peng, you'll probably want to release your own lantern.

Note that larger lanterns are easier to release than smaller ones. You may write a wish on your lantern before sending it off, or you can simply speak one in your heart. Dig your fingers into the wax circle coil to rough it up a bit before the release -- this makes it easier to light. When you feel suitable resistance after lighting the lantern, you can release it into the air.

Planning a trip to Chiang Mai? In addition to hosting Yi Peng, it's one of six places for an amazing supermoon experience in 2020.

Categories

Rita Juanita Pike View Full Profile

Rita Juanita Pike is the granddaughter of aviatrix Jerrie Mock, first woman to pilot an airplane around the world. Rita has taken inspiration from her grandmother's life and flight and pursued many of her own dreams in theater, podcasting, and novel writing. She now writes on travel, pets, faith, and the arts. She's happily married to Matt, and faithfully serves the very fluffy kitten queen, Lady Stardust.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Thailand's Yi Peng Lantern Festival Is Absolutely Magical

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Related: Due to changing advisories, please check local travel guidelines before visiting. One of the most wonderfully beautiful things about world travel is the exploration and discovery of different cultures, the festivals they have, and the traditions and belief systems they adhere to.

# data[].attributes.body
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pass_the_parcel

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Virtual Culture

Exploring Origami

Here you'll get a chance to actually make some origami figures! Here's what you'll find in this section:

Let's Make Origami!

Download Corner

Here you'll find origami squares that you can print out and use. There are practice origami sheets with lines to show you where to fold, and real origami for your final creations.

Origami Gallery

Here you can take a look at the different kinds of origami you can make.

Origami Trivia

Here you can learn the meaning of a thousand paper cranes, read the story of Sadako and her thousand cranes, and take a look at the Nippon Origami Museum.

* For more information on origami, including the history of this ancient Japanese art of folding paper, visit the Origami Overview.

Related Articles
Virtual Culture Explore Japan
Outside the Classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here you'll get a chance to actually make some origami figures! Here's what you'll find in this section: Let's Make Origami! Download Corner Here you'll find origami squares that you can print out and use. There are practice origami sheets with lines to show you where to fold, and real origami for your final creations.

# data[].attributes.headline
Beautiful Lantern Festival - Yi Peng - Thailand Holiday - Chiang Mai

# data[].attributes.subject
Beautiful Lantern Festival - Yi Peng - Thailand Holiday - Chiang Mai

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Beautiful Lantern Festival - Yi Peng - Thailand Holiday - Chiang Mai

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/pass-the-parcel

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This well-known classic birthday party game is a favorite with the younger age-group, although we have found that very young children don’t understand that they need to pass the parcel on and have suffered an embarrassing tantrum or two as a result!

# data[].attributes.headline
Japanese Art - Where did Origami come from? (Primary School Art Lesson)

# data[].attributes.subject
Japanese Art - Where did Origami come from? (Primary School Art Lesson)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Japanese Art - Where did Origami come from? (Primary School Art Lesson)

# data[].attributes.headline
Floating Lantern Festival. Everything You Need To Know About Yi Peng

# data[].attributes.subject
Floating Lantern Festival. Everything You Need To Know About Yi Peng

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Floating Lantern Festival. Everything You Need To Know About Yi Peng

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.cincy-cinco.com/history-of-the-pinata/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
History of the Piñata

The origin of the piñata is thought to date back over 700 years ago to Asia. Marco Polo discovered the Chinese fashioning figures of cows, oxen or even buffaloes, covering them with colored paper and adorning them with harnesses and trappings to greet the New Year. When they knocked the figure hard with sticks of various colors, seeds spilled forth. The remains were then burned and people gathered the ashes to bring good luck throughout the year.

When the custom passed into Europe in the 14th century, it was adapted to the celebration of Lent. The first Sunday became 'Piñata Sunday'. The Italian word 'pignatta' means "fragile pot." Originally, piñatas fashioned without a base resembled clay containers used for carrying water.

The custom then spread to Spain, the first Sunday in Lent becoming a fiesta called the 'Dance of the Piñata'. The Spanish used a clay container called "la olla", the Spanish word for pot. At first, "la olla" was not decorated. Later, ribbons, tinsel and fringed paper were added and wrapped around the pot.

At the beginning of the 14th century the Spanish missionaries to North America used the piñata to attract converts to their ceremonies. However the indigenous peoples already had a similar tradition. To celebrate the birthday of the Aztec god of war, Huitzilopochtli, priests placed a clay pot on a pole in the temple at year's end. Colorful feathers adorned the richly decorated pot, filled with tiny treasures. When it was broken with a stick or club, the treasures fell to the feet of the god's image as an offering. The Mayans, great lovers of sport, also played a game where the player's eyes were covered while hitting a clay pot suspended by string.

The missionaries ingeniously transformed these games for religious instruction. They covered the traditional pot with colored paper, giving it an extraordinary, perhaps fearful appearance.

The original & traditional piñata has seven points symbolizing the seven deadly sins: envy, sloth, gluttony, greed, lust, anger/wrath, and pride. The ten pointed piñata symbolizes the sins that come from breaking the Ten Commandments.

The stick which is used to break the pinata represents and symbolizes love. It is supposed to destroy the sins by hitting and breaking the pinata into pieces. The candies and treats that come pouring out from the broken piñata symbolize the forgiveness of sins and a new beginning.

As we come together to celebrate Cincy-Cinco, we honor a tradition that is over 700 years old. And we add a new chapter by making the world's largest piñata.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The origin of the piñata is thought to date back over 700 years ago to Asia. Marco Polo discovered the Chinese fashioning figures of cows, oxen or even buffaloes, covering them with colored paper and adorning them with harnesses and trappings to greet the New Year.

# data[].attributes.body
https://kids.kiddle.co/Pi%C3%B1ata

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A piñata is a container, often made of papier-mâché, pottery, or cloth, that is decorated, filled with candy, and then broken as part of a celebration. Piñatas are commonly associated with Mexico. The idea of breaking a container filled with treats came to Europe in the 14th century. The Spanish brought the European tradition to Mexico, although there were similar traditions in Mesoamerica, such as the Aztecs' honoring the birthday of the god Huītzilōpōchtli in mid-December. According to local records, the Mexican piñata tradition began in the town of Acolman, just north of Mexico City, where piñatas were introduced for catechism purposes as well as to co-opt the Huitzilopochtli ceremony. Today, the piñata is still part of Mexican culture, the cultures of other countries in Latin America, as well as the United States, but it has mostly lost its religious character.

The Spanish word probably derives from the Italian 'fragile pot,' itself from pigna lit. pinecone. It may also come from Spanish lit.  pinecone.

Although today, piñatas are typically used for a fun activity at parties, their origins lie in other customs. There is some debate but it appears that their origin is not Spanish but Chinese. The Chinese version was in the shape of a cow or ox and used for the New Year. It was decorated with symbols and colors meant to produce a favorable climate for the coming growing season. It was filled with five types of seeds and then hit with sticks of various colors. After the piñata was broken, the remains were burned and the ashes kept for good luck.

The tradition arrived in Europe in the 14th century where it was associated with the Christian celebration of Lent; in Spain, the First Sunday of Lent, "Piñata Sunday", became a celebration known as the Dance of the Piñata. As the word's Italian origin indicates, pignatta (also pignata and pignàta) meaning "earthenware cooking pot", the Spanish initially used a plain clay container, before starting to decorate it with ribbons, tinsel and colored paper. The origin of the Italian word is thought to be linked to the Latin word pinea, "pine cone".

The European piñata tradition was brought to Mexico in the 16th century; however, there was a similar tradition in Mesoamerica already. The Mayan tradition was similar to the modern piñata tradition, including blindfolding the participant hitting the piñata. The Aztec tradition commemorated the birthday of Huitzilopochtli. Priests would decorate a clay pot with colorful feathers. When the pot was broken with a stick or club, the treasures inside would fall to the feet of the idol as an offering. According to local records, the piñata was first used for the purposes of evangelism in 1586, in Acolman, in the modern State of Mexico, just north of Mexico City. The Augustinian monks there modified European piñatas and created the Las Posadas tradition to co-opt the celebration of the birth of Huitzilopochtli, which was celebrated in mid December.

The Mexican Catholic interpretation assigned meanings related to the Catholic doctrine of struggle against temptation, and used for catechism purposes. In this tradition, the seven points represent the seven deadly sins, the pot represents evil, and the seasonal fruit and candy inside the temptations of evil. It was said that person with the stick is blindfolded to represent faith, and the turning, singing and shouting represent the disorientation that temptation creates. In some traditions, the participant is turned thirty three times, one for each year of Christ's life. As the participant beats the piñata, it is supposed to represent the struggle against temptation and evil. When the piñata breaks, some say (contrary to other interpretations) the treats inside then represent the rewards of keeping the faith.

However, since this time the piñata has all but lost its religious significance and has become popular in many types of celebrations, not just during December's Las Posadas. The clay pot has been replaced with a papier-mâché container. The creation of piñatas has even taken on an artistic aspect in some areas. David Gamez and Cecilia Meade sponsored a showing of piñatas as art rather than just as a party favor. The event was called Piñatarama, with 25 piñatas made of papier-mâché at the Vértigo Galería in Mexico City, all original works of art by graphic illustrators, from 23 countries including Australia. Some of the illustrators who participated include 1000 Changos, Allan Sieber, Apak, Ben Newman, Cecy Meade, Cristian Turdera, Cupco and Daniel Berman. In Tepatitlán, the world's largest traditional seven-pointed piñata was created in 2010. It measures 11.2 meters, is made of fiberglass and weighs 350 kilograms. It surpasses the former Guinness record holder which was made in 2008 in Pennsylvania.

The piñata is most strongly identified with Mexico. The art of making modern piñatas falls under the Mexican craft heading of "cartonería", which refers to the making of items from paper and cardboard. This puts piñatas in the same category as amate paper craft, Judas figures and Mexico City style alebrijes. The Museo de Arte Popular held the first "Concurso de Piñatas Mexicanas" (Mexican Piñata Contest) in 2007 with prizes of 15,000, 10,000 and 5,000 pesos. The purpose of the contest is to help retain this tradition and help it to be continued to be valued. The Museo del Caracol in Mexico City held a workshop on how to make traditional piñatas, as part of its outreach program to the public.

While the religious significance has been mostly lost, the ceremony that occurs with it has remained mostly intact. Piñatas remain most popular during Las Posadas with birthday parties coming in second. Each participant, usually a child, will have a turn at hitting the piñata, which is hung from above on a string. The participant is blindfolded, given a wooden stick, and then spun a number of times. As the participants works to hit the piñata, another moves it to make it harder to hit. There is a time limit to any one person's attempts, which is marked out by the singing of a traditional song.

Piñatas were traditionally made with a clay pot base and many artisans make a living selling just the pot for people to decorate as they wish. However, clay pot piñatas have mostly been replaced by those made with cardboard and papier-mâché, usually fashioned over balloons. One reason for this is that broken pot pieces can be dangerous to children. These are then decorated with crepe paper, other colored paper and other items. Piñatas today come in all shapes and sizes, with many representing cartoon or other characters known to most children. Popular shapes today can include Batman, Superman, Spider-Man or characters based on popular movies and television shows such as Nemo, the Lion King and more. For Christmas, the traditional style with the points is popular as it is associated with the Star of Bethlehem. However, for the most part, piñata designs have been completely commercialized.

Traditionally in Mexico, especially at Christmas, piñatas are filled with fruit and candies such as guavas, oranges, jicamas, pieces of sugar cane, tejocotes and wrapped candies. Some piñatas are "traps" filled with flour, confetti or water. Special baskets of treats may be given to children who come up empty handed after a piñata is broken. These are called colaciónes and are given to prevent hurt feelings.

There are a number of localities in Mexico that specialize in the making of piñatas for sale. Acolman, the origin of piñatas, along with neighboring Otumba are one. Acolman hosts an annual National Piñata Fair. This event includes cultural events, workshops on the making of piñatas, piñata contests and traditional Posadas. The event has attracted as many as 100,000 visitors over the days that it is held, many of whom come from Mexico City.

About 400 families in the town of San Juan de la Puerta, in the south of the Cuerámaro municipality in Guanajuato, are dedicated to the creation of piñatas, and produce about 16,000 pieces each month. The making of piñatas supports about half of the people in the town. It is the second most important economic activity after agriculture. This tradition began in 1960 by Juan Remigio Anguiano, who brought the craft to the town after living in Mexico City. Today, piñatas from the town are sold in various parts of the state.

In the penal facility of Huajuapan de León, prisoners make piñatas to sell. This began when several prisoners brought the craft with them when they were incarcerated about twenty years ago. These piñatas have become traditional for the population of the city for Christmas.

The busiest time for the sale of piñatas in Mexico is December for posadas. During bad economic times, sales of piñatas can fall as much as thirty percent as they did in 2008.

The star shape, or ball with points, still remains popular for the Christmas season, but for other events, traditional designs such as donkeys have almost entirely been replaced by cartoon characters based on U.S. movies and television shows. However, most of the piñatas produced based on these images are not following copyright law, which has caused problems. Copyright holders such as Marvel Comics have complained about infringement by piñata makers in Mexico. Federal authorities have responded by seizing such merchandise in stores in various areas of Mexico City. Vendors complain that they have sold these piñatas for decades and never have had problems. Those who have run into problems with copyright law state that it is difficult to sell other types as most customers prefer to buy those based on popular characters. Mexico exports piñatas to the United States and other parts of the world, but copyright has been an issue there as well. Piñatas based on Disney and other characters have been seized at the border for violating U.S. copyright law.

One niche market for piñatas in Mexico is of those themed for adults. These include political figures, especially those who are not particularly liked.

Piñatas are similarly popular in a number of other Latin American countries as well.

In the United States

Piñatas have also become popular in Mexican-American and other Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States, as well as non-Hispanic populations. They are used for birthday parties, Christmas and Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

The 2006 video game Viva Piñata is about a world where piñatas compete to be chosen for children's birthday parties. A spinoff television show, also titled Viva Piñata was created to push sales of the Xbox game created by Microsoft.

Similar traditions

A similar tradition in Denmark is slå katten af tønden ("hit the cat out of the barrel") in which a wooden barrel is struck to release candy.

In Catalonia, a Christmastide tradition known as "fer cagar el tió" is observed. A log is wrapped with a blanket several days in advance of Christmas and is "fed" grass. On Christmas Eve, the log is repeatedly struck with sticks. The blanket is then removed to reveal the gifts that have been "expelled" by the log.

In Italy feasts with a game similar to piñata, called pentolaccia, used to be celebrated the first Sunday of Lent.

In Maharashtra, India, another similar tradition called Dahi Handi is observed on the festival of Janmashtami, Lord Krishna's birthday. The iconography represents Lord Krishna's childhood portrayal as the mischievous Maakhan Chor (butter thief). Clay pots filled with buttermilk, money or treats, in lieu of butter, are hung in public squares or on streets at a height implicitly challenging youngsters to break them. Teams put in great planning, skill and effort to form human pyramids, each higher than the other, in an attempt to break the pot and claim the prize.

In South Indian villages, festivals feature a competition called Uri adithal (Pot breaking with blindfold) which closely resembles the piñata event.

In Japan, a similar game called suikawari is played where a watermelon shell is used.

In the Philippines, a similar game called hampas-palayok or pukpok-palayok (hit-the-pot) is played during Filipino fiestas and traditional parties (e.g., birthdays), in which a clay pot filled with treats and/or prizes is used. Also đập nêu (pot-hitting) appears in Vietnamese traditional custom.

In Spanish: Piñata para niños

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Watch a Downhill Cheese-Chasing Competition in Britain | National Geographic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
(VOVWORLD) - Every year, during Spring, the South West England Gloucester region hosts the annual cheese-rolling event where people from far and wide travel to watch competitors launch themselves down a hill in pursuit of a round of cheese. This is a historical event that originated hundreds of years ago and reflexes an indispensable part of England's culture. Today, we will talk to Callum Bacon, an English young man who is working in Hanoi, to know more about the festival.

Reporter: Hello Callum. Welcome to VOV's Culture Rendezvous. What is the history of the race?

Callum: The exact origin of the cheese rolling isn't known, but is believed to have started in the early 1800s. Some say the tradition goes as far back as the ancient Romans, who used to have a fort on Cooper's Hill and are credited as the first people to send objects hurtling down its steep slope. The practice is believed to have roots in pagan rituals. It is thought that bundles of burning brushwood were rolled down the hill to represent the birth of the New Year after winter.

The cheese rolling race in England (Photo: The Telegraph)

Reporter: How is the game played?

Callum: The cheese currently used in the event is 7-9 pounds (3-4 kilograms) Double Gloucester, a hard cheese traditionally made in a circular shape. To start the game, the Master of Ceremony will shout out loud: "One to be ready!", "Two to be steady!", "Three to prepare!", "and four to be off!". And, after that countdown, all the contestants hurl themselves down the incredibly steep slope on Cooper's Hill after the cheese roll. The first person over the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese. Actually the aim is to catch the cheese. But it's quite difficult, because it has around a one-second head start and can reach speeds up to 70 miles per hour.

Reporter: It sounds dangerous, doesn't it?

Callum: It is. Due to the steepness and uneven surface of Cooper's Hill, there are usually a number of injuries each year. There was 1 participant described the race as ""twenty young men chasing a cheese off a cliff and tumbling 200 yards to the bottom, where they are scraped up by paramedics and packed off to hospital". Up until 2009, the Cheese-Rolling was an official event. But it was called off over concerns for the safety of the spectators. This, however, hasn't stopped the locals from continuing the tradition. Regardless of the risks involved and the pressure from local council to address them, Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling keeps coming back every year. As a safety precaution, the cheese was replaced by a foam replica in 2013.

Chris Anderson is a 13-time winner (Photo: The Guardian)

Reporter: Are there any medical service on duty to help those who are injured during the race?

Callum: Of course, yes. A first aid service is provided by the local St John Ambulance(Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud Divisions) at the bottom of the hill. Members of the local rugby club and Young Farmers volunteer their services by acting as 'catchers' for any participants who lose their balance and also are on hand to carry down any casualties requiring first aid who do not reach the bottom.

Reporter: I can say that despite its dangerousness, the event is quite exciting and funny. Is there any fun things that ever happened?

Callum: There is a fun fact about the cheese. There has been only 1 person who made the cheese for the competition since 1988. That's Ms. Diana Smart in Churcham, Gloucestershire. She uses milk from her herd of Brown Swiss, Holstein and Gloucester cows. She is the only person in Gloucestershire making Double Gloucester cheese using traditional methods. In 2013, the police warned beloved cheese maker, Diana Smart, that she could be held responsible if anyone was injured while chasing her cheese down the hill. As a result a foam cheese was used for one year, but real cheese made a triumphant return in 2014.

And one more fact. During the second world war rationing prevented the use of real cheese for the event. From 1941 to 1954, a wooden 'cheese' was rolled down the hill with a small piece of real cheese in the centre. The Ministry of Food had to give special permission to use cheese in this way.

Reporter: Thank you so much for your fascinating story about the Cheese Rolling race in England. We hope to see you again soon.

Hoang Tung

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
(VOVWORLD) - Every year, during Spring, the South West England Gloucester region hosts the annual cheese-rolling event where people from far and wide travel to watch competitors launch themselves down a hill in pursuit of a round of cheese. This is a historical event that originated hundreds of years ago and reflexes an indispensable part of England's culture.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Flying Tomatoes, World's Largest Food Fight

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Some 20,000 took part in the annual Tomatina tomato fight in Brunol, Spain. The hour-long street party, inspired by a food fight amongst children in 1945. (Aug. 28)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
La Tomatina is a food fight festival held on the last Wednesday of August each year in the town of Buñol ( history) near to Valencia in Spain. Thousands upon thousands of people make their way from all corners of the world to fight in this 'World's Biggest Food Fight' where more than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets.

Prior to 2013 anywhere from 40,000 to 50,000 (reported to be 50,000 in 2012) people crammed into this huge tomato fight, greatly expanding Bunol's normal 9,000 person population. Since 2013 official ticketing has been in place limiting the number of participants to just 20,000 lucky people.

There is limited accommodation for people who come to La Tomatina, so many people take the easier option of staying in nearby Valencia just 38km to Bunol by bus or train. In preparation for the dirty mess that will ensue, shopkeepers use huge plastic covers on their storefronts in order to protect them from the carnage.

When is La Tomatina

La Tomatina 2024 : 28th of August

La Tomatina 2025 : 27th of August

What Happens at La Tomatina

At around 12 Noon a number of trucks haul the bounty of tomatoes into the centre of the town, Plaza del Pueblo. The tomatoes come from Extremadura, where they are less expensive. Technically the festival does not begin until one brave soul has climbed to the top of a two-story high, greased-up wooden pole and reached the coveted ham at the top. In practice this process takes a long time and the festival starts despite no one reaching the meaty prize. The signal for the beginning of the fight is firing of water cannons, and the chaos begins. Once it begins, the battle is generally every man for himself.

After an one hour the fighting ends. At this point, no more tomatoes can be thrown. The cleaning process involves the use of fire trucks to spray down the streets, with water provided from a Roman aqueduct. The authorities seem more concerned with cleaning the town than cleaning the visitors, so some people find water at the Bunol River to wash themselves, although some kind residents will hose passers-by down. Once the tomato pulp is flushed, the ground is clean due to the acidity of the tomato.

The Rules of La Tomatina

Do not bring bottles or hard objects as they can cause accidents and hurt other participants

Do not rip other people's T-shirts

You must squash the tomatoes before throwing them as this reduces the impact

Ensure you keep a safe distance from the lorries

As soon as you hear the second shot, you must stop throwing tomatoes

Useful Advice

Wear closed shoes that you do not mind throwing away afterwards. If you wear flip-flops, you may get hurt, or you could lose them easily during the battle

Wear old clothes, or clothes that you are not planning to wear again. They will most likely end up damaged from being ripped or incredibly dirty

You may find goggles useful. However, it is safer if you just ensure that you always have something clean to wipe your eyes with. The best thing is if you tuck your T-Shirt into your shorts to keep the bottom part of your T-shirt clean and dry

If you are planning to take pictures, bring a waterproof camera!

If you are not from Bunol, and you want to stay overnight, don't forget to look for and secure accommodation in advance

Do not miss the Palojabon - a greased pole with a Spanish ham at the top. Whoever can climb the pole and get the ham can keep it!

Stay safe and enjoy the festivities as much possible

How did La Tomatina Start

The tomato fight has been a strong tradition in Bunol since 1944 or 1945. No one is completely certain how this event originated. Possible theories on how the Tomatina began include a local food fight among friends, a juvenile class war, a volley of tomatoes from bystanders at a carnival parade, a practical joke on a bad musician, and the anarchic aftermath of an accidental lorry spillage.

One popular theory is that disgruntled townspeople attacked city councilmen with tomatoes during a town celebration. Whatever happened to begin the tradition, it was enjoyed so much that it was repeated the next year, and the year after that, and so on. The holiday was banned during the Spanish State period under Francisco Franco for having no religious significance, but returned in the 1970s after his demise.

The festival is in honor of the town's patron saints, Luis Bertran and the Mare de Deu dels Desemparats (Mother of God of the Defenseless), a title of the Virgin Mary.

Where is Buñol

Buñol is a town and municipality in the province of Valencia, Spain and is situated approximately 38 km west of Valencia. Read about the history of Buñol

There are several ways to get to Valencia from London. If booked reasonably early availability to Valencia is good and flights are quite competitive. Easyjet fly from London Stansted, London Gatwick and Bristol. Ryanair fly from London Stansted, Liverpool, East Midlands and Dublin. Clickair fly from London Heathrow. Iberia fly from London Heathrow.

Where to Stay for La Tomatina

Getting to Bunol and accommodation for La Tomatina

The Official La Tomatina After Party
Best Cities to Visit in Spain Six Unmissable Things about Valencia!
Valencia is a vibrant multi-cultural city with an ancient heart and here we bring you the best the city has to offer in terms of touristic sights and natural wonders.

Checkout our list of the five most fun cities to visit in Spain where there is loads more to enjoy than just sun, sea and sangria!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
La Tomatina - The World's biggest and most famous food fight

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Tomatina Festival, the Tomato Battle, or Tomatina Festival takes place in the small town of Bunol, about 1 hour inland from Valencia in Spain.

# data[].attributes.body
kimonos are my favourite costume.