Hyderabad: Hyderabad is about to get splattered in the best way possible. The city is gearing up to host Toma Terra, India’s first large-scale tomato-throwing festival inspired by Spain’s iconic La Tomatina.
Scheduled for May 11 at Experium Eco Park, the event promises a full day of high-energy fun, music, and a whole lot of tomato-fueled chaos.
With a tagline billing it as “a tomato-throwing carnival with Indian masala,” Toma Terra offers more than just vegetable warfare. From dance zones and live DJ sets to food stalls and a global artist sundowner, the festival is being marketed as a mash-up of Holi, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD), and a giant Instagram photo op.
The idea behind Toma Terra is rooted in Spain’s La Tomatina, an annual street festival held in the town of Buñol where thousands engage in a no-holds-barred tomato fight. It was famously featured in the 2011 Bollywood film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, leading to fantasies of desi tourists who dreamed of tossing tomatoes in white tees to upbeat Spanish tunes.
TOMA TERRA is coming to EXPERIUM!
Get ready to splash, smash & laugh like never before! No rules. Just pure tomato madness.
A fiesta of RED, fun, and full-on energy is about to explodeTomaTerra Festival
🎟️ Tickets Available Now on BookMyShow! pic.twitter.com/8fBiJxs6AQ— Experium (@Experiumpark) May 8, 2025
Toma Terra aims to bring that dream closer to home. The organizers promise eight hours of uninterrupted fun, transforming the lush greens of Experium Eco Park into what they jokingly call a “pasta sauce crime scene.” However, the concept of a tomato-throwing event in a country where food insecurity remains a pressing issue has sparked controversy before. A similar event planned in 2013 was canceled following widespread backlash over the use of edible food for entertainment.
This time, organizers say they’ve learned from past missteps. All tomatoes used in Toma Terra are not fit for human consumption, and none will go to waste. Post-festival, the smashed produce will be collected and converted into organic manure, turning moments of fun into future growth.
The event is designed not just as a one-off thrill, but as a blend of Indian festival culture with global energy. Safety measures, crowd control, and eco-friendly disposal systems have reportedly been put in place, aiming to deliver an event that is equal parts wild and well-managed.
As the countdown begins, excitement is building across Hyderabad’s youth and festival-goers. For some, it’s a bucket-list event brought to life. For others, it’s a chance to experience something globally unique without needing a visa.
