San Fermín takes place in Pamplona from 6 to 14 July every year. Those nine days are easy to remember, but planning a journey around them requires more than marking dates in a calendar. Arriving for the Chupinazo, choosing a Running of the Bulls morning, staying for the procession or remaining until Pobre de Mí each changes your arrival night, the time you need and the way you experience the city.
This guide sets out the fixed dates and major milestones. It does not replace the annual official programme: concert times, cultural events, routes and traffic arrangements are confirmed for each edition. Use the calendar as a framework, then verify the live information as your trip approaches.
When is San Fermín?
San Fermín is celebrated from 6 to 14 July inclusive. The official opening is at noon on 6 July; the festival closes at midnight on 14 July with the singing of Pobre de Mí.
Check Pamplona City Council’s official San Fermín information for annual notices and the programme of the edition you will visit.
6 July: the Chupinazo opens the festival
The Chupinazo marks the official start at noon on 6 July from Town Hall Square. In seconds, the city moves from expectation to collective celebration. For many people it is the main reason for travelling; for others it is the symbolic opening of days they prefer to explore at a calmer pace.
If the Chupinazo is your priority, plan more than the date itself: consider the previous night, luggage, movement through the city and the place from which you will follow the event. Centre access changes at this time and should always be checked against current instructions.
Read our Chupinazo guide for its history and meaning. If you want to consider an elevated perspective, see Chupinazo balconies; an enquiry explores the moment, group and conditions but does not confirm availability.
7–14 July: Running of the Bulls mornings
The usual calendar includes eight runs, from 7 to 14 July, beginning at 8:00 am. Although the run lasts only minutes, it shapes the entire morning: the route is prepared beforehand, access changes and the city starts the day at a particular intensity.
Choose the morning that matters to you first, then plan the previous night and your route to the viewing point. Watching does not mean you can arrive in any street just before eight; municipal instructions and route closures are part of the event and must be respected.
Our Running of the Bulls guide gives context on the route and the difference between attending and running.
7 July and the days in between
Rather than trying to cover everything, give each day one clear idea: a morning run, a walk through festival streets, a cultural activity confirmed in the official programme or an unhurried conversation after a crowded moment. This avoids an impossible schedule and leaves room to notice the city around you.
14 July: Pobre de Mí and the official close
The festival ends at midnight on 14 July with Pobre de Mí in Town Hall Square. The farewell song, candles and gesture of removing the red scarf create a closing very different from the opening: quieter, more reflective and shaped by shared memory.
The event takes place at the end of 14 July, as the date turns to 15 July. If you plan to stay, include that night and onward transport in your arrangements rather than assuming an immediate departure will fit the city’s movement or your group’s pace.
How many days should you stay?
There is no correct length for every trip. Two nights can work when you have one priority moment. Three or four nights allow you to combine a run with another event, explore the old town and avoid an over-tight schedule. A longer stay offers a wider view only when it fits your interests and the group’s energy.
Start with the central moment and add time before or after it. For the Chupinazo, the previous night often matters; for a run, where you sleep the night before matters; for Pobre de Mí, consider whether you will remain until midnight on the 14th.
Order arrival, accommodation and departure
Before enquiring about accommodation or transport, write down three things: the event you want to experience, the night you need to be in Pamplona and the moment you intend to leave. This prevents choosing accommodation only by the date of an event while overlooking the arrival and departure that make it possible.
Fixed calendar and annual programme: what to check
The principal festival dates are stable, but the detailed programme is annual. Confirm specific event times, cultural listings, mobility measures, closures and access conditions in the official information for your edition. Do not treat older programmes or online videos as a substitute for current notices.
The festival’s fixed dates make it easier to choose a rhythm, but they do not replace the annual programme. The opening on 6 July, the eight morning runs and the farewell on 14 July are the framework; concerts, cultural events, processions, access arrangements and local timetables should always be checked for the particular year of travel.
For a shorter visit, choose one or two moments that genuinely interest you and leave space between them. Arriving before the busiest point, staying close to the old quarter or planning a quieter day beyond the centre can change the experience more than trying to fit every event into one itinerary.
For a longer stay, Pamplona also offers another pace: its walls, markets, parks, cafés and routes into Navarre. San Fermín can be the centre of the journey without being the only thing you see. A good plan balances the intensity of the festival with time to rest and observe.
Frequently asked questions about San Fermín dates
When does San Fermín start?
It officially starts with the Chupinazo at noon on 6 July.
When does it end?
It closes with Pobre de Mí at midnight on 14 July.
Which days have a Running of the Bulls?
Usually 7–14 July inclusive, at 8:00 am. Check the official edition programme.
How long is the festival?
Nine days, from 6 to 14 July inclusive.
Is the next edition’s programme confirmed?
Only the competent official sources can confirm its detailed programme, conditions and notices.
