SAN FERMIN

Beginning of the San Fermin Festival. Everyone wears white and red.

LOS GIGANTES During the festival, there are numerous parades and festivities that entertain the crowd. The huge figures called “Los Gigantes” wander the streets, just like the characters in our Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Parade of Los Gigantes through the streets of Pamplona…

LOS CABEZUDOS Besides los Gigantes, there are figures with huge heads called “Cabezudos.” These figures are often political in nature, and they allow the people an opportunity to poke fun at officials…

The Pig Bladder… One of the purposes of the San Fermin Festival is to ensure that people of all ages have fun. Children are often chased by characters throughout the streets. These characters wield an inflated pig’s bladder that they use to beat the fleeing children over the head. They also give out candy…

The Bulls are Coming!!! The first rocket is set off to announce that the doors of the corrals at Santo Domingo have been opened. The second rocket signals that the bulls are all out of the corrals and are approaching the area where the runners are waiting…

…and coming… Red and white attire signals that you are participating in the running. If not, you get out of the way!

Route of the Bulls

They are Large…and UNHAPPY

…and some of the runners are not so fast….

LA PLAZA The entire purpose of the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is to ensure that the bulls get into the arena. A final rocket signals that the bulls are in the corrida and the doors are locked behind them…

Los Matadores The matadores prove how brave they are by how closely they can bring the bulls to their bodies without being gored. Some are very good…

And some…not so much.

However, every night ends with a display of fireworks and lots of celebration.