About Running of the Bulls (San Fermín)
The Running of the Bulls, the encierro, is the most famous event of the San Fermín festival in Pamplona, Spain, held in honour of the city's patron Saint Fermín. Each morning of the festival, hundreds of white-clad runners sprint ahead of six fighting bulls along an 875-metre course through the cobbled streets of the old town to the bullring. The dash lasts only a few adrenaline-charged minutes but draws thrill-seekers and spectators from around the world.
San Fermín opens at noon on July 6 with the chupinazo, a rocket fired from the town hall balcony that sets off a sea of revellers dressed in white with red neckerchiefs and sashes. The bull runs take place each morning from July 7 to July 14, followed by bullfights in the evenings, alongside parades of giant figures, music, fireworks and round-the-clock celebration. The festival gained global fame through Ernest Hemingway's novel The Sun Also Rises.
San Fermín runs on the same dates every year, from July 6 to July 14, with the first encierro on the morning of July 7. The live countdown above ticks down to the next running for you. If you would like to keep the dates in view, you can add this countdown to your own page in a few clicks.
Upcoming dates
| 2027 | Wednesday, July 7, 2027next |
| 2028 | Friday, July 7, 2028 |
| 2029 | Saturday, July 7, 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday, July 7, 2030 |
| 2031 | Monday, July 7, 2031 |
FAQ
When is the Running of the Bulls?
Running of the Bulls (San Fermín) is on Wednesday, July 7, 2027. That is 248 days from today. The San Fermín festival runs from July 6 to July 14 every year, and the bull runs take place each morning from July 7 through July 14. The countdown above tracks the next running.
Why is the Running of the Bulls held?
It is the centrepiece of the San Fermín festival, held in honour of Pamplona's patron Saint Fermín. The tradition grew out of the practical task of moving bulls from their corrals to the bullring.
How does the Running of the Bulls work?
Each morning at 8am, runners in white with red scarves sprint ahead of six bulls along an 875-metre route through Pamplona's old town to the bullring. The run usually lasts only a few minutes.
Where does the Running of the Bulls take place?
It is held in Pamplona, the capital of Navarre in northern Spain, through the narrow streets of the historic old town leading to the Plaza de Toros bullring.