Discover San Fermin, the famous Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona, Spain

When you think of bull running, the image that probably comes to mind is the fiesta of San Fermín

The San Fermín festival, held annually in Pamplona, Spain , is one of the most famous and thrilling celebrations in the world. Known primarily for its daily running of the bulls, or ‘Encierro’, the festival is steeped in history, tradition and cultural significance.

Here is the history of the San Fermín festival, and why it is celebrated, as well as the main events that take place during the week-long festivities, the traditional attire of participants and the controversies surrounding animal welfare at the fiesta.

Why do they celebrate San Fermín? History and tradition

The San Fermín festival traces its roots back to the mediaeval period. Originally, the event combined two different celebrations: one honouring Saint Fermín, the co-patron of the region of Navarra, where Pamplona is, and another comprising summer trade fairs. Over time, these two events merged, and the running of the bulls became a central feature.

Saint Fermín, according to legend, was a 3rd-century Christian convert and the first bishop of Pamplona. The celebration in his honour initially involved religious ceremonies, but by the 14th century, bullfighting and other secular activities began to dominate the festivities. The modern format of the festival, with its iconic Encierro, evolved over centuries, becoming the internationally renowned event it is today.

When is San Fermín celebrated in Spain

San Fermín takes place from July 6 to 14 every year. The festival kicks off with the ‘Chupinazo’, a ceremonial rocket launch from the town hall balcony on July 6, signalling the start of the celebrations.

The days that follow are filled with various events, including traditional dances, parades, music and street performances and fireworks at 11pm every night of the week. It is also, like many Spanish fiestas, an event that is filled with a lot of eating and drinking.

The highlight of the festival for many (or lowlight, depending who you ask) is undoubtedly the Encierro, which takes place every morning at 8am from July 7 to 14. Participants, dressed in traditional white outfits with red scarves and sashes tied around their waists, run alongside six fighting bulls through the narrow streets of Pamplona to the bullring.

The run covers a distance of 825 metres (approximately half a mile) and lasts around three minutes, although the danger and excitement of being speared by a bull make it feel much longer for those involved.

In the afternoons, bullfights are held in the Plaza de Toros. These events, while controversial, are a significant part of the festival’s history and draw large crowds of spectators.

What do people wear to San Fermín?

At the Sanfermines, it is typical to wear white clothing because it symbolises purity, and red accessories, which are a nod to Saint Fermín, who is believed to have been martyred.

The traditional outfit includes a white shirt and trousers, a red scarf tied around the neck and a red waistband. The fact that just about everyone wears the same clothes not only creates a striking visual impact but it also fosters a sense of unity and belonging when you’re there, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Criticisms and controversies over animal cruelty

While the San Fermín festival is a beloved tradition for many, it is not without its criticisms. Animal rights activists have long condemned the event for its treatment of the bulls. The running of the bulls is inherently stressful and dangerous for the animals, and the subsequent bullfights, where the bulls are killed, are viewed as cruel and inhumane.

Organisations such as PETA and other animal welfare groups have campaigned against the festival, calling for an end to the bull runs and bullfights. They argue that the event glorifies animal cruelty and causes unnecessary suffering.

Despite these protests, the festival continues to enjoy widespread support, particularly among locals and those who view it as an essential part of Spanish culture and heritage.

Ornate facades of buildings on Historic Plaza del Castillo with restaurants and cafes in Old Town Pamplona, Spain famous for running of the bulls (Credits: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Each year from July 6 to 14, thousands of thrill seekers head to northeastern Spain, to Pamplona, for the Running of the Bulls.

Visitors from all over the world flock to the city, with its narrow, cobblestone streets, to watch the bulls charge along a half-mile stretch towards the Plaza de Toros bullring, a sea of fearless runners in front of them.

It’s a tradition that dates back to the 14th century, as part of the San Fermín fiesta. And while the race itself lasts mere minutes, the aftermath can be bloody.

There’s so much more to the city of Pamplona than its controversial Running of the Bulls (Picture: Getty Images)

Deaths from suffocation in pile ups have been recorded since 1910, with countless others injured. There have been several fatalities, most recently, in 2009, when a 27-year-old man was gored to death.

The event has also been criticised for animal cruelty — after the initial spectacle, the animals are killed by professional matadors. For years, animal rights groups have been calling for it to be banned, with PETA dubbing it a ‘cruel, disgusting gore-fest.’

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Thousands flock to the streets every year for the thrilling race (Picture: Getty Images)

San Fermin Fiestas run from July 6 to 14 (Picture: Shutterstock/Unai Beroiz)

But, whether the event excites or horrifies you, that’s not the only reason for Pamplona to be on your radar. As Lonely Planet says, ‘even when the bulls aren’t thundering down the cobblestones through the centre of town, Pamplona makes a fascinating place to explore.’

There’s a stunning cathedral, beautiful green spaces, and the place even counts Ernest Hemingway as a fan.

Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know about a trip to Pamplona, for those who prefer to wander through the city’s street, rather than run.

Things to see and do in Pamplona

The Hemingway route

Café Iruña was one of Ernest Hemingway’s favourite haunts (Picture: Richard Baker/In Pictures via Getty Images)

Pamplona is located in northeastern Spain (Picture: Metro)

Ernest Hemingway visited Pamplona in the 1920s, falling in love with the people and culture, spotlighting it in his 1926 novel, The Sun Also Rises.

Since then, Pamplona has been woven into Hemingway’s legacy, with one of his favourite haunts being Café Iruña, located in Plaza del Castillo. Perfect for a light lunch, it also has a bar tucked away at the back that transforms into a nightclub.

The city is also known now for its Hemingway route, which takes you on a tour of some of his most cherished spots. These include Castillo Square, the first place he laid eyes on upon arriving with his wife, and Gran Hotel La Perla, one of the oldest hotels in the peninsula.

Pamplona Cathedral

Pamplona Cathedral is a sight to behold (Picture: Getty Images)

When not walking in Hemingway’s footsteps, you can explore cultural and historical landmarks aplenty in Pamplona.

Pamplona Cathedral stands proudly in the heart of the city, a 15th-century Gothic church that offers free entry before 10:15am.

Inside, you’ll discover Spain’s largest working bell—it’s 12 tons, and yes, it still rings today!—and some fascinating statues.

If you’re up for the climb, you can head to the top for breathtaking panoramic views of the city that look fresh off a postcard.

Museo de Navarra

Museo de Navarra is the perfect place to delve deeper into the city’s history (Picture: Getty Images)

If the cathedral has only whetted your appetite for learning about the city’s history, then head to the Museo de Navarra—entry is just €2.

Housed inside a former hospital, the four-storey museum displays exhibits from prehistoric works to the 20th century, perfect to help you peel back the layers on Pamplona’s past.

Highlights include the Map of Abauntz, which is one of Europe’s oldest maps etched into a stone, plus intricate artwork from Baroque and Renaissance creatives.

Archivo de Navarra

Immerse yourself in the offerings of the Archive (Picture: Getty Images)

Once you’ve got the history bug, head to Archivo de Navarra. It houses documents that are centuries old and is itself one of the most ancient and emblematic historical buildings in Navarre.

The Archive is the ideal spot for immersing yourself in the city’s history in a welcoming, warm atmosphere, whether it be the cultural, political, or social evolution of the community.

It also hosts special events, workshops, and guided tours to help deepen your understanding before you close the pages and head back outside to witness the buzz for yourself.

Walls of Pamplona

Take a trip back through time by strolling along the city’s walls (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

For when you’d simply prefer to be out in the open air, travel back in time by walking the walls of Pamplona.

The city walls are one of the most interesting and best-preserved military structures in Spain, with King Philip II building the fortifications in 1569.

Initially, as a medieval city, Pamplona erected the walls to defend itself against invaders.

Now, tourists can walk along the path between the Media Luna and Taconera parks, which offers the perfect juxtaposition of both serenity in the cold stones and an inviting green landscape in the background.

What to eat in Pamplona

Pamplona is home to 300 various bars and restaurants (Picture: Getty Images)

For the foodies, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Pamplona.

With more than 300 restaurants, bars, taverns, and cafés on offer, there’s something for everyone, whether it be a cosy café or a luxurious Michelin-starred experience.

Renowned for its delicious cuisine, Pamplona is especially loved for its fresh vegetables, such as asparagus, onions, and wild mushrooms.

As for traditional dishes you simply must sample before leaving, recommendations include txistorra, which is a type of thick sausage served in different ways, the most popular being chopped up in a bowl with scrambled eggs and fried potatoes.

From light bites to luxurious three-course dinners, you won’t go hungry here (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Circling back to the bulls, yes, the people of Pamplona eat them too! Estofado de toro is a traditional bull stew made from bull’s tails, carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, red wine, and saffron.

But if that’s not your vibe, why not try ajoarriero—salted cod mashed up with garlic—or cordero al chilindrón—lamb, in particular stew, is huge in the north of Spain—or, after all of that, one of the city’s creamy desserts?

Wherever you are in Pamplona, you won’t go hungry.

How to get to Pamplona

There are currently no direct flights to Pamplona from the UK, so you’ll have to make a pitstop, usually in another Spanish city, like Barcelona or Madrid.

For example, if you were to head to the city for a long weekend in August (August 8 to 11), you could get flights with Iberia from London Heathrow, making a stop in Madrid. The return journey would cost £351.

Alternatively, Bilbao Airport is about 100 miles away, or a 2 hour drive, operating a direct route every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from Bristol Airport with Easyjet. A return trip in August (August 7 to 12) costs £162.98.

If you don’t want to hire a car, trains with Renfe (Spain’s national railway company) between the two cities are easy to navigate, and start at £14 one way.

So much to see and do in Spain With locals in Spanish hotspots like Barcelona, Palma and the Canary Islands protesting against overtourism, why not try these alternative cities, with fewer tourists. Dénia is an unspoiled coastal city on Spain’s Costa Blanca, between the mountains and sea in the province of Alicante. There’s a quaint old town, full of those all important tapas bars, and for the water babies amongst us, Cova Tallada is a natural cave that was chiselled out of the rock face in the 12th century. And the best way to see it? Kayaking.

Cudillero, a small and unassuming fishing port in Asturias, northern Spain. Nestled in the Pico Paradiella mountains, with a surrounding landscape of rolling hills and horseshoe cliffs, it’s an Instagrammer’s paradise. It’s perhaps most famous for the the brightly-coloured ‘hanging houses’ that protrude from the hillside.

For the sunniest city in Europe, head to Cartenga, in the souteast. It boasts an impressive 283 hours of sun per month, with temperatures averaging 19.1°C and peaking at 29°C during the summer months of July and August.

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Participants run with the bulls during the annual San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, in northern Spain, on July 9. (Susana Vera/Reuters) (REUTERS)

On Saturday, Spain kicked off one of its most controversial and adrenaline-fueled traditions: the Pamplona bull run.

Held every year from July 6 to 14 during the nine-day San Fermin Festival, the event brings over a million thrill-seekers and spectators from across the globe to the city of Pamplona to watch hundreds of brave volunteers get chased through the streets by six large bulls.

Every morning during the festival, at the stroke of 8 a.m., the bulls are released from their corral and charge through the narrow alleys toward the Plaza de Toros, the city’s bullring, where they will later be killed by matadors during the evening’s bullfights.

The runs last roughly three and a half minutes each day. For participants, mostly young men, it’s a race against time — and horns.

Immortalized in Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 debut novel, The Sun Also Rises, the bull runs are dedicated to the city’s patron saint, San Fermin, and date back to the end of the 16th century, according to Time. Still, the excitement doesn’t come without perils.

Dozens of runners are injured every year, with a reported 16 deaths since 1924. On the first day of the festival this year, six people were injured, including a 54-year-old American from New York, highlighting the event’s inherent risks, with two more injured on Tuesday. Despite the danger, the event’s allure remains undiminished, drawing participants year after year despite the controversy it stirs among animal rights groups.

Here are some of the tense moments captured on camera during this year’s running of the bulls in Pamplona.

(Cesar Manso/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

(Susana Vera/Reuters) (REUTERS)

(Cesar Manso/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

(Miguel Riopa/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

(Cesar Manso/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

Vincent West/Reuters (REUTERS)

Vincent West/Reuters (REUTERS)

Susana Vera/Reuters (REUTERS)

(Alvaro Barrientos/AP) (AP)

(Susana Vera/Reuters) (REUTERS)

(Alvaro Barrientos/AP) (AP)

Alvaro Barrientos/AP (AP)

Alvaro Barrientos/AP (AP)

(Alvaro Barrientos/AP) (AP)

(Alvaro Barrientos/AP) (AP)

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Zach Bryan ‘Took a Horn to the Chest’ at Spain’s Running of the Bulls originally appeared on Parade.

Zach Bryan took on one of Europe’s most adrenaline-fueled traditions.

The 28-year-old country singer surprised fans this week by appearing at the famed Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

In an Instagram post, Bryan shared a video of himself playing a tune, followed by a photo of him hugging someone in the Spanish city.

The playful caption read: “Took a horn to the chest like I’m back in Oklahoma!”

While Bryan doesn’t seem to have been injured during the run, his presence at the high-risk event got the interest of some fans online.

“This is the song they play to calm down the bull,” one user wrote in the comments.

“I spent some time in Spain after growing up in Oklahoma,” another added. “Beautiful country. Never did the running of the bulls but it seems wild!”

“Blackout drunk by the looks of it 😂,” another playful comment read.

A concerned fan chimed in: “Zach, please be careful around them boy cows!”

The annual Running of the Bulls, known locally as San Fermín, draws thousands of thrill-seekers who sprint through narrow cobblestone streets alongside charging bulls.

The event is both a centuries-old tradition and a controversial spectacle due to its dangers and treatment of animals.

Bryan’s Pamplona detour comes on the heels of a major milestone in his career. Just days before, he performed at London’s Hyde Park, continuing a blockbuster tour that has drawn sold-out crowds across the U.S. and Europe.

Before stopping in Spain, the singer visited Ireland, where he left a $7,000 tip to a waitress in Dublin.

“One of the staff members just happened to pass a remark about working late, said he has to because he has to pay for his fees for college, and Zach said he might be able to help him,” Noel Tynan, the owner of The Celt pub in Dublin, told the Irish Independent after the encounter.

The Oklahoma native—known for hits like “Something in the Orange” and “Revival”—has become one of the biggest names in country and Americana music over the past two years.

Bryan is scheduled to return stateside later this month for three massive shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, part of his Quittin Time Tour.

Zach Bryan ‘Took a Horn to the Chest’ at Spain’s Running of the Bulls first appeared on Parade on Jul 9, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

Revelers sprint during the Encierro (running of the bulls), at the Mercaderes corner, during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, on July 8. (Albert Gea/Reuters)

Spain kicked off one of its most controversial and adrenaline-fueled traditions on Monday: the Pamplona bull run.

As part of the nine-day San Fermín Festival held every year from July 6 to July 14, the event brings more than a million thrill-seekers and spectators from across the globe to the city of Pamplona to watch hundreds of brave revelers get chased through the streets by six large bulls.

At the stroke of 8 a.m. on July 7 of the festival every year, the bulls are released from their corral and charge through narrow alleys, toward the Plaza de Toros, the city’s bullring, where they will later be killed by matadors during the evening’s bullfights.

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The runs last roughly three and a half minutes each day. Participants and spectators dress in white pants and a white shirt, with a red sash tied around the waist and a red handkerchief tied as a scarf around the neck. For the participants themselves, it’s a heart-pumping race against time — and sharp horns.

Made internationally famous in Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 debut novel, The Sun Also Rises, the bull runs are dedicated to the city’s patron saint, San Fermín. The tradition dates back to the 16th century when cattle herders used the bull run route to transport animals from the countryside into the city for bullfights, according to Time magazine.

Still, the excitement doesn’t come without perils.

Dozens of runners are injured every year, with a reported 16 deaths since 1924. On the second day of the bull run this year, a man, identified only as being older than the age of 25, was gored by a bull’s horn under his right armpit, highlighting the event’s inherent risks. Seven others were injured and suffered bruises and contusions to the shoulder or head.

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Despite the danger, the event’s allure remains undiminished, drawing participants year after year despite the controversy it stirs among animal rights groups.

Here are some of the tense moments captured on camera during this year’s running of the bulls in Pamplona.

Revelers run with bulls along Calle Estafeta on July 9. (Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images)

Participants wearing traditional white outfits and red scarves take part in the first running of the bulls event on July 7. (Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Bulls slip as they run through the Estafeta curve during the second running of the bulls on July 8. (Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Images)

Revelers run with bulls along Calle Estafeta during the San Fermin festival on July 9. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

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Participants run with a bull on July 7. (Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Images)

A fallen runner crouches low as the bulls ran past on July 8. (Ander Gillenea/AFP via Getty Images)

Runners get pinned down as a bull charges on July 8. (Cesar Manso/AFP via Getty Images)

Runners fall over as bulls charge past on July 8. (Cesar Manso/AFP via Getty Images)

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A young bull charges at a participant in the ring on July 9. (Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Images)

Participants and Alvaro Nunez bulls run during the San Fermin festival on July 9. (Ander Gillenea/AFP via Getty Images)

Runners fall as a bull that strayed from the pack charges on July 8. (Cesar Manso/AFP via Getty Images)

Participants run ahead of Alvaro Nunez bulls at the entrance of the ring on July 9. (Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Images)

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Bull runners on the streets during the San Fermin festival on July 8. (Fernando Pidal/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

A participant is tossed by an Alvaro Nunez bull on July 9. (Ander Gillenea/AFP via Getty Images)

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