San Fermín 2026 takes place from 6 to 14 July in Pamplona (Navarre, Spain). The Chupinazo rocket is fired on 6 July at 12:00 noon from the Town Hall balcony, followed by 8 daily Running of the Bulls (encierros) at 08:00 (7–14 July) along an 848.6-metre route. Watching from the barriers is free; a private balcony on Calle Estafeta costs £155–£195 per person. Book your accommodation now — the best places in the centre sell out by late March.
There is something extraordinary about standing in Plaza del Ayuntamiento on 6 July at midday, shoulder to shoulder with 12,000 people in white, waiting for the first rocket. When the Chupinazo explodes overhead and hundreds of litres of sangria arc through the air, you understand instantly why three million travellers make the journey to Pamplona every year. The San Fermín Festival, running from 6 to 14 July 2026, is more than a festival: it is nine days of dawn encierros, solemn religious processions, evening bullfights, peñas singing until sunrise, and a Navarrese gastronomy that is worth the trip on its own. Ernest Hemingway immortalised it in The Sun Also Rises (1926) — and a century on, the magic is undimmed. In this complete guide, I walk you through the official 2026 programme day by day, how the Running of the Bulls actually works (with real safety statistics), the best spots to watch, what budget to allow for your comfort level, and everything to organise before the festivities open.
The official San Fermín 2026 programme day by day
Nine days of festivities (6–14 July 2026)
Listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2013 and made world-famous by Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises (1926), the San Fermín Festival draws around 3 million visitors over nine days, making it the third largest festive gathering in the world according to Sanfermines.net.
| Date | Highlight | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6 July | Chupinazo — official opening rocket ceremony | 12:00 |
| 7 July | Día Grande — 1st encierro (Fuente Ymbro) + Solemn Procession | 08:00 / 10:00 |
| 8 July | Cebada Gago encierro (very fast ★★★) | 08:00 |
| 9 July | Victoriano del Río encierro + Andrés Roca Rey at the bullfight | 08:00 / 18:30 |
| 10 July | Álvaro Núñez encierro + Morante de la Puebla at the bullfight | 08:00 / 18:30 |
| 11 July | José Escolar encierro + Ojete Calor concert | 08:00 / 23:30 |
| 12 July | La Palmosilla encierro (bloodiest run of 2025 ★★★★) | 08:00 |
| 13 July | Miura encierro — the most feared bulls ★★★★★ | 08:00 |
| 14 July | Final encierro (Jandilla, new for 2026) + Pobre de mí at midnight | 08:00 / 24:00 |
A typical day at San Fermín
- 06:45 — the dianas wake the city (brass bands marching through the streets)
- 08:00 — the encierro (2–4 minutes), followed by capeas in the bullring
- 09:30 — Giants and Big Heads procession (ideal for families)
- 18:30 — bullfight at the Plaza de Toros (19,720 seats)
- 23:00 — fireworks from the Citadel ramparts
- 23:30 — free concerts at Plaza del Castillo until dawn
The Chupinazo: how to make the most of the opening ceremony
6 July, 12:00 noon — Plaza del Ayuntamiento
The Chupinazo is the opening rocket fired from the Town Hall balcony on 6 July at noon, which officially starts the festivities. According to the Ayuntamiento de Pamplona, the tradition dates to 1931 (Juan Etxepare, a tobacconist on Calle Mayor) and has been performed from the balcony since 1941. Since 2016, the rocket-launcher is elected by public vote.
At 11:57, clarinettists announce the arrival of the official launcher. The mayor and councillors greet the crowd with cries of « Viva San Fermín / Gora San Fermín ». At precisely 12:00, the rocket explodes in the sky — and with it hundreds of litres of drinks drench the crowd. It is at this exact moment, and not before, that you tie your red neckerchief (pañuelo) around your neck.
Practical tips for the Chupinazo
- Arrive 2 hours early (10:00) to secure a good spot in the plaza
- Wear disposable white clothes — you will be soaked in sangria and cava
- Closed, sturdy shoes (broken glass + crowd surging)
- Leave valuables — jewellery, watch, expensive phone — at the hotel
- Side streets with giant screens are an excellent, calmer alternative
The Running of the Bulls: everything you need to know
848.6 metres, 08:00, 2 to 4 minutes of pure intensity
Every morning from 7 to 14 July, 6 fighting bulls (around 600 kg each) and 6 to 8 steers run through the medieval streets of Pamplona from the Santo Domingo corrals to the Plaza de Toros. According to Sanfermines.net, the route has four distinct sections:
- Cuesta de Santo Domingo (280 m) — steep incline (10%), the most dangerous section
- Plaza Consistorial → Mercaderes (100 m) — flat terrain, gentle bend
- Calle Estafeta (300 m) — the iconic street, 90° corner at the entrance
- Telefónica → Plaza de Toros (120 m) — final chute, 3.5 m wide
Where to watch the encierro
You have four options to watch the run as a spectator:
- Free barriers (1,500 spots max) — arrive by 06:00 for the front row, view of 15–20 m of street
- Plaza de Toros — free standing tendidos on weekdays (arrive early), €7–€12 for seated; views of the bulls’ arrival
- Private balconies on Calle Estafeta — £155–£195/person, breakfast included, view over 100–200 m
- Giant screens (Paseo de Sarasate, Plaza de los Fueros) — free live TVE broadcast
Safety: the real numbers
Historical statistics from Sanfermines.net put the risks in perspective:
- 1 runner in 2,500 is gored (1 in 100,000 dies)
- 90% of injuries are caused by other runners, not the bulls
- 16 deaths since 1900, last in 2009
- 2025: 6 gorings; 2024: only 2
Official rules for runners
- Minimum age 18, sobriety required (tested at entry)
- Closed trainers or running shoes, no backpack, no phone in hand
- Enter the course before 07:30 (access is closed afterwards)
- Do not run unless you have already watched at least 2–3 runs from the barriers
The Procession, Feria del Toro 2026 and fireworks
7 July, Día Grande — procession and bullfighting
7 July is Día Grande, the feast day of Saint Firmin. At 10:00, the solemn procession departs from the Church of San Lorenzo (which houses the saint’s relics) and winds through the streets of the Casco Antiguo for 90 minutes. The cortège brings together the statue of the saint carried by devotees, the Giants and Big Heads (8 gigantes dating from 1860), civic dignitaries, and representatives of the 16 peñas. The contrast with the raucous fiesta is striking.
The Feria del Toro 2026
The Feria del Toro is managed by the Casa de Misericordia (founded in 1706). Ten evenings of bullfighting from 5 to 14 July, every evening at 18:30, in the third-largest bullring in the world (19,720 seats). According to Okdiario Navarra, the 2026 highlights are:
- Andrés Roca Rey (Peruvian, world star) on the card for a doblete on 9 and 14 July
- Morante de la Puebla — a long-awaited return on 10 July alongside Álvaro Núñez
- New for 2026: Jandilla (replacing Miura) closes the feria on 14 July
- Tickets from €7 (standing tendido) to €153 (VIP barrera), individual sales from 23 June 2026
Navarrese cuisine: pintxos, wines and must-try specialities
Navarrese food: between the Basque Country and Castile
Navarrese gastronomy is one of the strongest reasons to come to San Fermín. According to Sanfermines.net, here is what you must try:
- Pintxos — tortilla, jamón, croqueta, mushrooms, bacalao… €2–€4 each in every bar in the Casco Viejo
- Txistorra — thin spiced pork and lamb sausage, grilled; the star of the post-encierro breakfast
- Pochas — tender white bean stew, the quintessential summer dish of Navarre
- Navarrese white asparagus — the best in Spain, nicknamed « the white gold of Navarre »
- Churros from La Mañueta — century-old bakery open only during the festival (legendary queue from 07:30)
- Caldico — hot broth served at 06:00 before the dianas, a traditional festero ritual
What to drink in Pamplona
- Navarre wines (AOP) — tempranillo/garnacha reds and renowned Spanish rosés
- Txakoli — light, slightly sparkling white wine from the Basque Country
- Pacharán — Navarrese sloe berry liqueur, perfect as a digestif
- Kalimotxo — red wine and Coca-Cola mix, popular party drink
Recommended restaurants
- Europa (Calle Espoz y Mina) — refined Navarrese cuisine
- Don Pablo (Calle Navas de Tolosa) — gastronomic restaurant
- La Chistera — traditional pintxos bar in the Casco Viejo
- Café Iruña (Plaza del Castillo) — Hemingway’s favourite haunt, unmissable terrace
Where to stay and how to get to Pamplona from the UK
Accommodation and getting there
San Fermín enforces one of the strictest early-booking rules of any event in Europe. According to Runningofthebulls.com, the best central addresses are sold out by late March.
Accommodation options
- City centre during the festival: hostel dorm £85/night, 3-star hotel £175–£300/night, 4-star hotel £300–£520/night
- Nearby towns + bus: Tafalla (25 km, £35–£55/night), Logroño (90 km, £45–£70/night) — savings of up to 45% on accommodation
- Camping Ezcaba (5 min, bus stop 1.5 km away) — free shuttles on 7 and 8 July, guaranteed San Fermín atmosphere
How to get there from the UK
- Flight LHR/LGW → BIO (Bilbao, 100 km from Pamplona): from £80 return with Vueling or British Airways; direct ALSA bus BIO → Pamplona 1h30
- Flight to San Sebastián (EAS) (60 km): served by several European carriers, then bus or taxi to Pamplona
- Bus from Bilbao or San Sebastián — ALSA and Conda run direct services to Pamplona bus station (Estación de Autobuses)
San Fermín 2026 budget: how much to budget for 9 days?
Estimated costs by profile (9 days from London)
| Item | Budget | Comfort | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight London–Bilbao return | £130 | £220 | £350 |
| Accommodation (9 nights) | £780 (camping/hostel) | £2,160 (3-star suburbs) | £4,700 (4-star centre) |
| Food (pintxos + restaurants) | €450 | €450 | €700 |
| Encierro balcony (1 morning) | — | €200 | €300 |
| Bullfight ticket (1 evening) | €40 (andanada) | €100 (tendido) | €250 (barrera) |
| Traditional outfit | €25 | €25 | €50 |
| Local transport | €30 | €50 | €80 |
| Miscellaneous (souvenirs, outings) | €100 | €200 | €400 |
| Estimated TOTAL | ~£1,500 | ~£3,300 | ~£6,600 |
What is free at San Fermín
- Watching the encierro from the barriers (arrive 2 hours early)
- The solemn procession of Saint Firmin (7 July)
- Giants and Big Heads procession (09:30 every morning)
- 14 free concerts at Plaza del Castillo + fireworks every evening
- The entire street atmosphere, the peñas, the dianas
Plan your trip: eSIM, travel insurance and flights
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From $56 / 4 weeksCompare the best fares to BIO (Bilbao, 100 km from Pamplona). Book early to avoid last-minute price spikes.
From £80 returnWatch the Running of the Bulls from a private Calle Estafeta balcony with a full breakfast buffet, local guide and optional Pamplona tour.
From £300/personFrequently asked questions about San Fermín 2026
Is the Running of the Bulls at San Fermín dangerous for runners?
The encierro carries real but statistically measurable risks: 1 runner in 2,500 is gored and 1 in 100,000 dies (16 deaths since 1900, last in 2009). A little-known fact: 90% of injuries are caused by other runners in crowd surges, not by the bulls. In 2025, 6 people were gored; in 2024, only 2. For spectators at the barriers or in the bullring, there is no physical risk from the run itself. Source: Sanfermines.net.
Do you have to pay to watch the encierro at San Fermín?
No, the encierro is free for spectators standing at the course barriers (arrive around 06:00 for a good spot) and for the tendidos (standing sections) of the Plaza de Toros on weekdays. Only seated places in the bullring are paid (€7–€12). Private balconies on Calle Estafeta cost £155–£195/person but offer a panoramic view over 100–200 metres, a breakfast buffet and a local guide. Source: Sanfermines.net.
When should you book accommodation in Pamplona for San Fermín 2026?
As early as possible — if you are reading this in May 2026, it is already very late for the city centre. Quality hotels in the Casco Viejo are fully booked by late March for 6–14 July. Alternatives include nearby towns (Tafalla 25 km, £35–£55/night; Logroño 90 km, £45–£70/night) with reinforced bus services, or the Ezcaba and El Molino campsites with shuttle buses. For comparison, the average hotel night in Pamplona outside the festival is around €63. Source: Runningofthebulls.com.
What budget do you need for 9 days at San Fermín 2026 from London?
The total budget varies by comfort level: approximately £1,500 on a budget (camping/hostel, pintxos meals, free encierro from barriers), £3,300 in comfort (3-star hotel in suburbs, encierro balcony, bullfight tendido seat) and up to £6,600 for a premium trip (4-star city-centre hotel, VIP balcony, barrera seat at bullfight). Many activities are free: watching the encierro from the barriers, the procession, the Giants parade, 14 concerts at Plaza del Castillo, fireworks every evening.
Can you enjoy San Fermín without running in the encierro?
Absolutely. The vast majority of the 3 million visitors never run in the encierro. The run itself lasts only 2 to 4 minutes per day — the rest of the festivities include: the solemn procession on 7 July, the Giants parade at 09:30 every morning (ideal for families), 14 free concerts at Plaza del Castillo, an international fireworks competition at 23:00, an optional evening bullfight (€40–€153), and neighbourhood life animated by 16 peñas until dawn. Source: Visit Navarra.
Sources
- sanfermin.pamplona.es — Official San Fermín Festival website, Ayuntamiento de Pamplona
- pamplona.es — The encierro — Official route, rules and programme
- sanfermines.net — Encierro route — Detail of the 4 sections, safety statistics
- sanfermin.com — 2026 Programme — Official day-by-day schedule
- feriadeltoro.com — Official ticket prices — Bullfight prices and 2026 sales calendar
- Okdiario Navarra — Feria del Toro 2026 line-up — Official matadors and ganaderías
- Noticias de Navarra — Confirmed Feria del Toro 2026 programme
- Runningofthebulls.com — Accommodation — Tips and prices for San Fermín accommodation
- sanfermines.net — Gastronomy — Navarrese specialities and restaurant recommendations
- Visit Navarra — San Fermín guide — Official Navarre tourism guide
Sources consulted on 29 May 2026.
Ready to experience San Fermín 2026?
Pamplona awaits you from 6 to 14 July. Book your encierro balcony, compare flights and get your white outfit ready — one of the world’s greatest festivals is within reach.
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