If there’s ever a time when it’s acceptable to play with your food, it’s at any of the world’s great food fight festivals. If you like to get messy, really messy, to get really down and dirty, well tbh, totally filthy, and all in the name of golly good fun, there’s plenty of opportunity at any of these food fight festivals.
1 Battaglia Delle Arance, Ivrea, Italy
The Battle of the Oranges, held every year during the carnival in February, is one of the best food fight festivals in the world. The festival commemorates the uprising against the tyranny of Raineri di Biandrate. Two parties take part in this epic three-day food fight – one representing the Emperor and the other, the people. Participants hurl over 250kg of fruit at one another during the battle, and it usually takes snow-removal equipment to clear the way after the festival. It's great fun though for locals and tourists alike, but if you're there, don't forget to feast on fagiolate; a specialty dish with cured pork and beans, which is free during the carnival.
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The Battle of the Oranges transforms the historical scenes into a vibrant and colorful display of local spirit. With origins dating back to the medieval period, the event has deep cultural significance, symbolizing the townspeople's fight for freedom. As a unique twist, spectators can signal their non-participation by wearing a red hat, which acts as a safe-conduct amidst the citrusy crossfire. Amidst the revelry, it's important to remember the festival isn't just a raucous affair but an homage to a pivotal moment in Ivrea's history.
Frequently asked questions
2 Els Enfarinats, Ibi, Spain
Every year on the 28th of December, the town of Ibi in Alicante plays host to the epic food fight known as Els Enfarinats, meaning “the ones coated with flour”. The live ammo here is eggs, flour, and firecrackers. This 200-year old battle takes place between two groups. Els Enfarinats is a group of married men with a sole duty to make ridiculous laws for one day, and the other group is “La Oposicio”, whose role is to restore order. Two rivals fight for power that leads to a messy yet fun conflict.
3 World Custard Pie Championship, Coxheath, England
Proof that custard pies aren’t just for slapstick and circus clowns! Since 1967, custard pie chuckers and flan flingers have converged on the small Kentish village for one almighty food fight. If you know anyone who deserves their just desserts, there’s a field in Kent waiting for you to drag them to every year in May.
4 La Merengada, Vilanova I La Geltrú, Spain
What is it about Spain and food fight festivals? They seem to have more than their fair share! This carnival is one of the most gluttonous and extravagant food festivals in Spain. In this delicious street party you will witness people throwing an estimated 90,000kg of food comprising of sweets, pies, and heaps of meringue. The story behind the festival dates back to the 1940s when Franco forbade carnival festivities. In retaliation, the locals protested every Thursday before Lent and threw sweets to vent their anger. Many years on, the people still remember the occasion by taking to the streets and turning them into a candy-filled battlefield.
5 La Tomatina, Sutamarchan, Colombia
It seems that the love of tossing ripe tomatoes has spread beyond Spanish shores. Inspired by the tomato festival that has happened in Brunol every year since 1945, the people of Sutamarchan in Colombia now follow suit with their own tomatofest in June. Hundreds of locals and tourists come together on a football field where 15 tons of tomatoes meet their demise.
6 The Great Fruitcake Toss, Manitou Springs, USA
It isn’t the muckiest and stickiest of the food fight festivals but it sure is a lot of fun. And let’s not beat about the bush here. There’s no let them eat cake! Fruitcake flingers come together in Manitou Springs to launch their cakes in the most imaginable ways possible including catapults, giant slingshots, cannons and any other gadget they can think of.
7 Batalla Del Vino, Haro, Spain
Ok, we’re back in Spain. Spanish food is delicious and I’d rather drink my wine, so just what drives the Spanish need to wear their food and drink is beyond me. Held on 29 June every year, La Batalla del Vino rolls into the village of Haro, in La Rioja. Participants must wear white clothes to get to frolic in wine until their clothes turn purple. Not wearing white? Shame! You’ll just have to stand and watch, and drink your nice civilized glass of Rioja.
Sometimes, just sometimes, you really have to let loose and give into to some childish instincts. Possibly no opportunities are better to do so than the world’s food fight festivals. What wouldn’t you mind being slathered in? (No Greek Yogurt or oatmeal allowed!)
