Running of the bulls

What it is

A bull run takes place on a street or a set of streets that have been closed for the purpose. Somewhere between six and ten bulls are released, and a crowd of people moves ahead of them, trying to stay in front and reach the end unhurt. Towns often stage the event as part of a summer festival, and certain cattle breeds are chosen: the toro bravo in Spain, which is used in the ring afterwards as well, and Camargue cattle in southern France, which are never fought. Only male cattle that have not been castrated take part.

Origins and history

Spanish tradition places the beginning of the practice in the north-east of the country during the 1300s. The old task was practical: herds had to be moved from fields outside a town, or from boats, into the centre for sale or for the ring. Herders hurried the animals along, using noise and movement to keep them going. Over time young people started racing in front of the herd, and the errand turned into a contest to see who could reach the pens first. Rural England had its own version, and Stamford kept one until 1837.

Pamplona's route

The Pamplona encierro covers 875 metres and passes through four streets of the old town, Santo Domingo, Ayuntamiento, Mercaderes and Estafeta, by way of the Town Hall Square and the short stretch known as Telefónica. It starts at a corral on Calle de Santo Domingo and finishes inside the bullring. Wooden barriers line the way. Where the street is wide the fence is doubled; elsewhere the buildings themselves do the work. Roughly three thousand pieces of wood are used. Gaps are wide enough for a person but too narrow for a bull, and spectators must stand behind the outer fence.

Dress and meaning

Most runners wear the same outfit. It is a white shirt and white trousers with a red cummerbund at the waist, called a faja, and a red neckerchief, a pañuelo, knotted at the neck. Blue is sometimes worn instead of red. Those who wear the colours do so out of respect for San Fermín, the saint at the centre of the fiesta. The white is read as the purity of a saint, and the red as his death by beheading. Runners often carry a rolled newspaper, held out to draw a bull's attention away if the animal turns.

Today and change

The Pamplona run is shown live by Televisión Española and has been for more than three decades, which has turned a local custom into an international attraction. Hemingway's writing about the fiesta, and later films and documentaries, brought more visitors. The event was called off in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and returned in 2022. Rules for those taking part include a minimum age of 18, moving with the herd rather than against it, never provoking the animals, and staying off alcohol. Many people say the modern crowd is quite different from the older local festival.

How Running of the bulls is kept

Runners gather early and sing a benediction to San Fermín three times, in Spanish and in Basque, asking his protection, then call out the wish that he live long. At eight a rocket announces that the corral gate at Santo Domingo is open, and a second one means all the bulls are out. The herd, guided by steers, covers the route at about 24 km/h while people run ahead. Two more rockets mark the arrival of the animals in the ring and then in its corral, ending the event. From start to finish takes about two and a half minutes.

When and where

In Pamplona the run is held every morning of the Sanfermines festival, which begins on 6 July and ends on 14 July. The first run is on 7 July, and the rest follow on each later morning, always starting at eight. The festival itself honours Saint Fermín, the patron of the city.

The most watched is in Pamplona, in the Navarre region of Spain. Similar summer runs are held in towns and villages across Spain and Portugal, in parts of Mexico, and in the Occitan and Camargue area of southern France. The Pamplona event draws visitors from many countries, while the others tend to stay local and traditional.

What Running of the bulls means

For the people of Pamplona the run belongs to the feast of their patron, San Fermín, and the benediction asks his protection over those who take part. Wearing white and red is a sign of devotion to him. Running in front of the herd is read as a display of courage and skill, and finishing the course is a point of pride. For visitors the same event can mean something else, a dare or a spectacle, and the tradition is a contested one.

Days Running of the bulls is marked

Running of the bulls dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

Questions people ask about Running of the bulls

See also

HalloweenAn annual observance on 31 October marking the eve of All Saints' Day, rooted in Christian tradition and Celtic heritageDay of the DeadA Mexican remembrance of deceased family and friends with altars, marigolds and feastsTrick-or-treatingA custom where children visit homes in costume to ask for treats or face a playful prank.PicnicA meal taken outdoors in a park or scenic spot, often shared with friends and family.

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• BBC NEWS | UK | MagazineBBC, Article
• BBC NEWS | UK | MagazineBBC, Article

• Running of the bulls on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.