Sanfermines de Pamplona
The Sanfermines transform Pamplona into a nine-day collective celebration, recognisable by the white and red, music in the streets and a succession of religious, bullfighting and popular rites. The running of the bulls is its most widespread event, but the festival also includes processions, dances, comparsa, peñas, concerts and activities for all ages.
Celebration date
The festivities begin on 6 July a las 12:00 with the Chupinazo and end at midnight on 14 July with the Poor Me. 7 July is San Fermín Day and the procession and solemn mass are concentrated there. It is a local holiday in Pamplona when the municipal work calendar establishes it; The nine days of celebrations are not in themselves public holidays.
View the Sanfermines 2026 programme.
Where are they celebrated?
The Plaza Consistorial welcomes the beginning and the farewell. The bull run crosses the Old Town from the corrals of Santo Domingo through the Plaza Consistorial, Mercaderes and Estafeta to the bullring. The chapel of San Fermín, in the church of San Lorenzo, guards the image that goes out in procession every 7 July. Plaza del Castillo, Ciudadela, Antoniutti and numerous squares and streets complete the festive map.
Also check out the festivals of Pamplona.
Origin and history
The Pamplona City Council explains that the current festival merged three traditions: religious events in honour of San Fermín, documented since before the 12th century; trade fairs, since the 14th century; and the bullfights associated with those fairs. They were celebrated in autumn until, due to bad weather, the commemoration was moved in 1591 to 7 July.
Its international projection increased in the 20th century, especially after Ernest Hemingway published the novel The Sun Also Rises, traducida al español como Party.
El encierro
From 7 July to 14, at 8:00, six bulls and halters walk along the fenced route to the bullring. The origin is linked to the transfer of cattle to the urban centre; Since the 16th century some young people began to run in front of them. Before each race, the runners ask San Fermín for protection in front of the niche on the Santo Domingo slope.
It is a real risk activity, subject to rules of access, age, dress and conduct. Whoever wants to participate must consult the current municipal provisions and attend to the Municipal Police and pastors at all times.
Main events and traditions
- Chupinazo: inaugural rocket launched on 6 July from the balcony of the Town Hall.
- Vespers and procession: worship in the San Fermín chapel and tour of the image through the centre on 7 July, accompanied by the Corporation, music, dance and troupe.
- Gigantes y Cabezudos: The troupe travels different routes every day with giants, big heads, kilikis and zaldikos.
- Peñas y música: The peñas, their brass bands, La Pamplonesa, bagpipers and txistularis sustain much of the street atmosphere.
- Fuegos artificiales y espectáculos: Concerts, festivals, rural sports, theater and children's programming occupy squares, parks and the Ciudadela.
- Pobre de Mí: collective farewell song in the Plaza Consistorial at 00:00 at the end of 14 July.
Clothing, participants and atmosphere
The popular outfit combines white clothing with a red scarf and sash. Residents, associations, clubs, cultural entities, groups, musicians, religious communities, municipal services and visitors from numerous countries participate. The City Council coordinates the public programme, security, cleaning, mobility and prevention campaigns.
Reconocimiento turístico
The Sanfermines are declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest. This distinction recognizes its external projection; does not by itself convert all days of celebration into public holidays.