The San Fermin Festival takes place annually from July 6 to 14 in Pamplona, located in the Navarre region of Spain. This event is internationally famous for the running of the bulls. The bulls run through the streets of the old part of the city until they are surrounded by runners. Every year, thousands of people from Pamplona and visitors, dressed in clean traditional white clothing and red scarves tied around their necks, gather in the city’s streets to celebrate for a week in honor of San Fermin. However, in recent years, the religious aspect of the festival seems to have taken a secondary role.
About San Fermin Festival
Nowadays, the festival is seen as a gathering of people from all over the world. Celebrations, entertainment, and joy are all main elements of this festival. It is a combination of opposites: official and popular culture, religion and irreverence, the new and the old, and order and chaos.
The festival kicks off at midday on July 6 with the start of a fireworks display in the town square of the city. Let us now tell you more about this popular and celebrated event.
History of San Fermin
The origin of this event is to commemorate a religious figure of the same name, San Fermin. The Romans beheaded San Fermin and tied his body to a bull to bring him to the city. A brave woman dressed in white went after the bull to rescue his body.
Since that day, in memory of San Fermin and the brave woman who saved his body from the bull, a festival has been held in the city of Pamplona, where various competitions and events take place, including dancing, drumming, celebrations, and finally the release of bulls into the crowd.
During these days, it is customary for people to wear white and red clothing, and every morning, 12 bulls are released into the crowd. The bulls, distressed by the large number of people, become agitated and attack them, and the crowd must run away. The people then guide the bulls towards bullfighting arenas, where professional bullfighters take over.
What Is San Fermin?
San Fermin was the son of a Roman senator in the third century AD in the city of Pamplona. He was converted to Christianity by Saint Honestus, a follower of Saint Saturninus. San Fermin became an ordained priest in Toulouse and later returned to Pamplona, where he was chosen as the city’s first bishop. It is believed that he was martyred on December 25, 303 AD. However, there is no record of San Fermin being honored in Pamplona until the 12th century.
Today, some people in Pamplona claim that San Fermin was attacked by a wild bull while walking through the city streets, which made his name famous, and that he was not killed by the Romans as previously thought.
The festival is actually a combination of two medieval events. The first was a secular street market held in early summer, when merchants and traders brought their livestock, like cattle and sheep, to the streets for sale. Eventually, the bull became an integral part of this tradition, and the event was first recorded in the 14th century.
The second event was a religious ceremony held on October 10 to honor the saint. However, in 1591, the celebration was moved to July 7 so that both events could be combined into one festival, as the weather in Pamplona was better at that time.
San Fermin Chupinazo
The San Fermin Festival begins with the firing of a flaming rocket called the Chupinazo. In the Basque language, this rocket is referred to as Txupinazo.
It is launched at 12:00 pm from the main city hall, and as soon as the rocket is fired, thousands of people begin their celebrations in the city’s main square and various other places across the city.
Since 1941, the firing of this rocket has officially marked the start of the festival. Normally, the city’s mayor designates in advance who will fire the rocket. However, since 1979, after local elections are held, the mayor of the designated area usually announces who will be chosen to fire the rocket.
The city council of that area selects the person responsible for the launch. In each area, the criteria and exceptions for choosing this person are different. Some politicians choose themselves, while in other cases, athletes or well-known public figures are selected to start the ceremony.
The Struendo or Noise Ceremony
The Struendo, or the “Noise Ceremony,” is a one-day event with over 50 years of tradition. It is deliberately planned outside the main official schedule and takes place on a different day each year. During the San Fermin Festival week, a specific day is chosen for this celebration.
The purpose of this event is to manage and control the crowd. At exactly 11:59 AM, people gather in the city hall and make as much noise as possible. This noisy event lasts for several hours, during which people use drums, bowls, whistles, and any other objects they can find to make noise.
Fireworks Festival
Fireworks are an integral part of any celebration or festival, especially in Spain. During the San Fermin Festival, fireworks are held every night at 11:00 PM in the city’s central park. The fireworks display is famous for its beauty and has been a tradition since 1595.
Since 2000, an international fireworks competition has been organized in the city, attracting thousands of spectators who sit on the grass around the park and square to enjoy the show and the competition.
San Fermin 3,000-Piece Barriers
Along the route of the Running of the Bulls, security barriers made from over 3,000 wooden pieces are set up on both sides of the streets and alleyways. Some of these barriers are permanently installed along the route, while others are set up and taken down daily by workers and placed in new locations.
These barriers are designed to protect spectators and provide protection for those who might fall behind the crowd of runners, allowing them to climb over or take shelter within the barriers.
The Role of the Pastores (Bullfighters)
Many pastors, or people responsible for managing the bulls, are stationed along the entire route of the Bull Run. They place themselves behind the bulls and use long sticks to manage and guide them.
The main role of the pastor is to ensure the bulls are not disturbed by anyone poking or striking them with unusual objects from behind.
They also prevent the bulls from veering off course and help those that stop or stray from the main group get back on track towards the bullfighting arena, guiding them to start moving and running again.
Dobladores Bull Fighters
Another important group of people during the San Fermin Festival are the dobladores. These are highly skilled bullfighters, often former bullfighters, who position themselves in the bullfighting arena to help the runners. They help guide the runners safely to their positions and prevent injuries.
In other words, dobladores quickly direct the bulls toward the pens, and they must act quickly to ensure the bulls are safely contained without causing harm to the crowd.
What Does the San Fermin Festival Celebrate?
The San Fermin Festival celebrates the life of San Fermin, the patron saint of the Navarre region in Spain. Originally a religious event, it has evolved into a week-long celebration known for the famous ‘Running of the Bulls’.
During the festival, people wear white with red scarves, participate in traditional dances, music, and parades, and enjoy a variety of festivities. The highlight is the running of the bulls through the streets, symbolizing both the city’s traditions and the courage of participants.
What Do You Do on San Fermin?
During the San Fermin Festival, people participate in various activities. The main event is the “Running of the Bulls,” where participants run alongside bulls through the streets of Pamplona. In addition to this, there are parades, traditional music, dancing, and plenty of food and drink.
People wear white clothes with red scarves, gather in the streets, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. The celebrations last for a week, and each day begins with events, music, and fireworks, creating a lively and joyful experience for everyone.
Why Do People Run in San Fermin?
People run in the San Fermin Festival as part of a long-standing tradition known as the “Running of the Bulls.” This event is a way to honor the city’s history and its patron saint, San Fermin. The run involves participants running through the streets alongside bulls, creating an exciting and dangerous experience.
For many, it is a test of courage and a way to feel connected to Pamplona’s cultural heritage. The excitement and adrenaline of running with the bulls make it one of the most famous and unique parts of the festival.
San Fermin Festival Dates
The San Fermin Festival 2024 was held from July 6 to July 14 in Pamplona, Spain, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world. The famous “Running of the Bulls” and other festive events brought excitement to the city for a week.
The San Fermin Festival 2025 will take place from July 6 to July 14 next year, and if you want to attend, it is essential to plan early. Tickets for popular events, accommodations, and travel arrangements should be made in advance to ensure you can fully enjoy this iconic celebration.
Final Word
The San Fermin festival, as mentioned, is one of the most exciting festivals in Spain. This is why many tourists travel to the country during the festival. Hotels can get fully booked quickly during this time, so it is important to plan ahead and make reservations early. If you do not book a hotel in advance, you may have to stay outside the city, which can significantly increase your costs. We recommend that you look at the San Fermin festival photo before your trip to get a better sense of its atmosphere.
In this article, we provided detailed information about the bullfighting festival in Spain, and we hope it has been helpful to you.
Are you planning to visit Europe and looking for a Europe Travel Agency? Check out our Europe Tours and Feel free to contact us.
