San Fermín Festival 2025
Bull running, though wildly popular, is only one facet of the San Fermin Festival, a nine-day celebration that draws more than a million visitors to Pamplona each summer.
The fiestas de San Fermin kick off at noon on July 6 and culminate with a candlelit ceremony on July 14th at midnight. The festival honors the city’s patron saint and first bishop, Saint Fermin, but over the years, it has evolved into a frenzied week of street parties, dancing, processions, and fireworks displays, all punctuated by morning bull runs and afternoon bullfights.
The fiestas de San Fermin kick off at noon on July 6 and culminate with a candlelit ceremony on July 14th at midnight. The festival honors the city’s patron saint and first bishop, Saint Fermin, but over the years, it has evolved into a frenzied week of street parties, dancing, processions, and fireworks displays, all punctuated by morning bull runs and afternoon bullfights.
Discover the San Fermin Festival 2025
The festival starts with a rocket blast on July 6. At the moment the Chupinazo rocket is fired, crowds milling below city hall erupt with cheers and shouts of joy. Champagne corks are popped, and sangria flows freely. For the next nine days, the FIESTA atmosphere dominates everything else.
San Fermin Festival is more than just a big party, however. It's a celebration of cultural roots and centuries-old traditions that engenders a sense of camaraderie. The festival brings together people from all walks of life and all corners of the globe – the young and old, the pious and the secular.
Many people know about the Running of the Bulls® thanks to Ernest Hemingway, who penned The Sun Also Rises, romanticizing the adrenaline, bravado, and gore of the event. The Pamplona bull runs are undoubtedly the world’s most famous encierros, and our San Fermin Travel Center is your gateway to a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Our team leverages more than 15 years of experience hosting travelers at the Running of the Bulls and provides expert guidance and booking services for:
San Fermin Festival is more than just a big party, however. It's a celebration of cultural roots and centuries-old traditions that engenders a sense of camaraderie. The festival brings together people from all walks of life and all corners of the globe – the young and old, the pious and the secular.
Many people know about the Running of the Bulls® thanks to Ernest Hemingway, who penned The Sun Also Rises, romanticizing the adrenaline, bravado, and gore of the event. The Pamplona bull runs are undoubtedly the world’s most famous encierros, and our San Fermin Travel Center is your gateway to a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Our team leverages more than 15 years of experience hosting travelers at the Running of the Bulls and provides expert guidance and booking services for:
- Pamplona Hotels 2024 featuring hotels in the city center
- Tours and Bull Run Balconies
- 2024 Pamplona bullfight tickets (both sun and shade seats)
- All-inclusive and custom Pamplona tour packages
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Brief History of San FerminThe festival of Sanfermines was originally observed on September 25 (the patron saint’s feast day) but was moved to July in 1592 to overlap with the summer cattle markets. Though largely religious, the festival also included bullfighting events, dances, and agricultural fairs. The focal point of the festival slowly shifted away from a religious perspective to a more fun-loving celebration of life. As the people of Pamplona became more concerned with enjoying themselves, new rituals and activities were added, making the Fiestas de San Fermin the extravaganza it is today.
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The festival now features hundreds of activities and events, none more popular than these:
Before planning your trip, check out the complete 2025 San Fermin Festival event schedule! Book your customized tour package with us today and get the best deals on hotels, bull run viewing spots (you can select your balcony after viewing the Pamplona bull run map), bullfight arena seats, and much more.
- Chupinazo: A chosen representative fires a rocket, or chupinazo, signaling the start of the fiesta on July 6.
- Riau Riau dance: townspeople and festival-goers sing and dance during a procession from city hall to the cathedral of San Lorenzo on July 6.
- San Fermin Procession: On July 7, a statue of Saint Fermin is carried through town by religious leaders. The procession includes performances by the marching band and the Gigantes y Cabezudos.
- Pobre de Mi: The San Fermin Festival comes to an end at midnight on July 14th, when thousands of people sing “Pobre de Mi” (Poor Me) at city hall. Everyone takes off their red scarves in this somber closing ceremony, which is followed by fireworks.
Before planning your trip, check out the complete 2025 San Fermin Festival event schedule! Book your customized tour package with us today and get the best deals on hotels, bull run viewing spots (you can select your balcony after viewing the Pamplona bull run map), bullfight arena seats, and much more.