Why You Can’t Miss El Chupinazo: The Opening of San Fermín

​On July 6th, Pamplona ignites with excitement for one of the most popular events for the City, El Chupinazo (Txupinazo in Basque), the Opening Ceremony and official kickoff of the San Fermin Festival. Though the bulls don’t run for the first time until the next morning, the town is packed with excited travelers ready to get the party started. To be able to enjoy the Fiesta including the Opening Ceremonies and the first day of all the excitement, many guests plan to arrive early on July 5th, so they have time to settle in at the hotel and make sure they get to take in the full cultural experience of the Fiesta. 

How the Ceremony Opens

At noon on July 6th, the Mayor of Pamplona fires the rocket from Town Hall, signifying the official beginning of the San Fermin Fiesta. Anticipation builds all morning as crowds gather in the Town Square with their white clothing, red sashes, and the traditional red scarf (pañuelo). They hold the Panuelo until the rocket fires and while shouting “¡Viva San Fermín! ¡Gora San Fermín!” Thousands of excited tourists tie their pañuelos around their necks, and the Fiesta begins.

Where to Celebrate

Plaza Consistorial (Town Hall Square)

​Town Hall is the center for the Opening Ceremonies, where the mayor positions himself to fire the rocket, and crowds gather so they can see the rocket fire. This is the heart of all the action, and it's loud, crowded, and gets a little bit wild during the Ceremonies. You also have to be careful or you might end up with a Champagne Shower, as guests bust them open in excitement!  This is a great area for anyone who wants to be in the center of everything, but if you dislike crowds or have kids this may not be the option for you, but we have you covered with better and safer places to watch from!

Plaza del Castillo

​Some travelers prefer to be able to experience the Opening Ceremonies with fellow travelers, but prefer a lighter crowd still sprinkled with excitement. Plaza del Castillo offers a different experience, where many families still gather for brunch and to watch the ceremonies live on the big screen! But don’t get it wrong, Plaza del Castillo can also get a bit crazy, with the occasional Champagne Shower, but also with locals bringing out Flour and Eggs and having a ‘food fight’ like celebration! Even with this option you still get to take part in the party, just a little differently! This is a great alternate option, but if you like to stay away from the craziness and have a safer and more exclusive watching point, we have options for that as well!

A Balcony Overlooking the Square

​For a safer, more comfortable view, many choose to rent a balcony with a direct line of sight to watch and see the festivities, while being at a comfortable distance. With the balcony option, you will have a small number of people gathered to watch from afar, but also to experience the excitement together, but in a safer and more secluded place. This is an ideal option for families with kids, or those who just do not like crowds or being in the center. The balconies do include Champagne to toast to the excitement! You can check those out on Running of the Bulls, in the Opening Ceremonies packages, or if you want to wait, closer to the fiesta we release some a la carte inventory on Bull Run Pamplona (if we have excess inventory, as these are highly sought after. As a side note, we do have a waitlist you can join on Bull Run Pamplona as well to get notified when these go live!)

Your San Fermín Start

Whether you’re in the middle of the action  in Plaza Consistorial, having a food fight  with friends in Plaza del Castillo, or watching and toasting from a private balcony, El Chupinazo is the official kick off for the San Fermin Festival and it is an unforgettable, high-energy celebration that you do not want to miss!

For the best way to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event, explore our travel packages on runningofthebulls.com and secure your Opening Ceremonies Balcony in Pamplona today!

¡Viva San Fermín!