Pamplona, the capital of Navarre, launched its annual San Fermín festival on July 7 with the first of eight early-morning bull runs. Known locally as el encierro, the event saw six fighting bulls sprint through a 875-metre course of cobbled streets from the corrals at Santo Domingo to the Plaza de Toros. Thousands of runners, dressed in the traditional white clothing with red neckerchiefs, took part in the high-risk dash.
The festival, which runs until July 14, began with the traditional chupinazo — a rocket fired from the balcony of the town hall — at midday on July 6. That ceremony, which marks the official start of San Fermín, drew large crowds to the Plaza Consistorial. The first bull run followed the next morning at 8 a.m., as is customary.
San Fermín is one of Spain's most internationally recognised cultural events, drawing visitors from across Europe and beyond. The festival combines religious processions honouring Saint Fermín, the city's patron saint, with concerts, street parties, and the daily bull runs. For many in Pamplona, it is a week of intense local pride and communal celebration.
However, the event also attracts criticism from animal rights groups. In the weeks leading up to the festival, activists staged a protest in which they splashed red paint on the city's bullring and other landmarks, symbolising what they describe as the bloodshed of bullfighting. The protest, covered in a related report, highlighted ongoing tensions between tradition and evolving ethical standards in Spain and across Europe.
Despite the controversy, the bull runs remain the festival's main draw. Each morning, six bulls from the renowned Miura and Jandilla ranches are released to run alongside hundreds of participants. The runs typically last between two and four minutes, depending on how quickly the animals reach the bullring. Medical teams are stationed along the route, and ambulances follow the runners. Injuries are common, though fatalities have become rarer in recent years due to improved safety measures.
Pamplona's city council has invested in crowd control and medical infrastructure to manage the influx of visitors. Hotels in the city centre are fully booked months in advance, and local businesses report a significant boost in revenue during the festival week. The economic impact of San Fermín is substantial, with estimates suggesting it generates tens of millions of euros for the region.
For those unable to attend in person, the runs are broadcast live on Spanish national television and streamed online, reaching a global audience. The festival's international profile has grown steadily since Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises brought it to the attention of English-speaking readers. Nearly a century later, the event continues to fascinate and divide opinion.
Beyond Pamplona, other European festivals are also drawing crowds this summer. In Croatia, the Rab Sand Sculpture Festival is transforming the Adriatic island's beaches into a marine-life exhibition, offering a quieter alternative to the adrenaline of the bull run. Meanwhile, Munich has begun setting up for Oktoberfest 2026, with organisers prioritising atmosphere over attendance records.
As San Fermín continues, the focus in Pamplona remains on the daily runs and the broader cultural programme. For locals, the festival is a deeply rooted tradition that defines their city's identity. For visitors, it offers a unique — and polarising — glimpse into Spanish culture.
