Festival of San Fermín

The Festival of San Fermín is a week-long celebration held every July in Pamplona, Spain. Famous for its daily running of the bulls, the festival also features parades, music, and religious ceremonies, drawing locals and visitors into a vibrant mix of tradition and festivity.

• The chupinazo firework opens the festival at noon on July 6
• Daily running of the bulls takes place each morning from July 7 to 14
• Parade of giant puppets and big-heads occurs every morning
• The festival ends with the 'Pobre de mí' song at midnight on July 14
• Held in honour of Saint Fermín, co-patron of Navarre

What it is

San Fermín is a deeply rooted cultural festival that transforms Pamplona each July. While the running of the bulls is its most iconic event, the week is filled with processions, music, dance, and gatherings that honour Saint Fermín, the city’s co-patron. For locals, it is a time of community pride, devotion, and exuberant celebration, blending religious homage with centuries-old traditions. The city’s streets fill with people dressed in white and red, united in a shared spirit that pulses from the opening firework to the closing song.

Where it comes from

The festival’s origins lie in the merging of medieval summer fairs and religious ceremonies for Saint Fermín, a 3rd-century bishop and martyr. Originally, the saint’s feast was marked in October, but in 1591 the date shifted to July to coincide with the fair and better weather. Over the centuries, bullfighting and the running of the bulls became central, and new traditions like the Parade of Giants and the opening chupinazo firework were added. The festival’s international fame grew after Ernest Hemingway wrote about it in the 1920s.

How it is celebrated

Celebrations begin at noon on July 6 with the chupinazo, a firework launched from city hall, igniting a week of festivities. Each morning from July 7 to 14, hundreds run ahead of bulls through Pamplona’s narrow streets in the famous encierro. The city hosts daily parades of gigantes y cabezudos—giant puppets and big-headed figures—dancing to traditional music. On July 7, a statue of Saint Fermín is carried through the old town, accompanied by dancers, musicians, and officials. Throughout the week, the streets are alive with concerts, folk dances, and gatherings. The festival closes at midnight on July 14 with the singing of "Pobre de mí," as participants light candles and remove their red scarves.

Joining in

Visitors to Pamplona during San Fermín can expect crowded streets, lively music, and a city-wide sense of camaraderie. The main events—especially the running of the bulls—draw thousands, so early arrival and caution are essential. Most celebrations are centred around the city’s old quarter, with processions, parades, and open-air festivities accessible to all. While participation in the bull run is open to adults, many come simply to watch, join the parades, or enjoy the nightly concerts and fireworks.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Festival of San Fermín, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Festival of San Fermín on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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