San Fermín facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Fermín |
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The Town Hall of Pamplona just before the San Fermín festival begins with the chupinazo.
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| Official name | San Fermín |
| Also called | Sanfermines, Sanferminak |
| Main location | Pamplona (Spain) |
| Begins | July 6th; 12 PM |
| Ends | July 14th; 12 AM |
The San Fermín festival is a huge party held every year in the city of Pamplona, which is in Navarre, Spain. People also call it Sanfermines or Sanferminak. It kicks off exactly at noon on July 6th with a special rocket called the "chupinazo." The festival wraps up at midnight on July 14th with a sad but traditional song called Pobre de Mí (which means "Poor Me"). A bullfight is also a big part of the celebrations. This festival honors Saint Fermin, who is one of the special protectors (or patron saints) of Navarre. San Fermín has become the most famous Spanish festival, attracting over 1,000,000 people each year!
By midnight on July 6th, Pamplona is already buzzing with people. Locals and tourists fill the streets, all waiting for the fireworks. These fireworks mark the official start of the fiesta, or party.
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What Happens at San Fermín?
The San Fermín festival is packed with exciting events. It's not just about the famous bull run. There are also parades, music, and traditional dances. The whole city comes alive with a festive spirit.
The Running of the Bulls
Every morning, the day starts with the "encierro," also known as the running of the bulls. This is when brave (and sometimes daring) people run in front of real bulls. The bulls are let loose to run through the narrow streets of Pamplona. Their journey ends at the bullring, where they will be part of a bullfight later in the day.
The runners usually wear a special outfit. They dress in white trousers and a white shirt. They also tie a red scarf around their neck. Many wear a red beret on their head too. It's a very traditional look for the event.
Music, Dance, and Parades
Before and after the daily bullfights, which happen every evening at 6 pm, the streets are full of life. You'll hear bands playing music. There are also "txistularis," who are musicians playing traditional Basque instruments. People enjoy regional dancing in the streets.
You'll also see amazing processions with "big giant heads." These are huge, colorful figures that parade through the city. While the Sanfermines festival in Pamplona is the most famous, other towns in Navarre also have their own versions of the running of the bulls.
Images for kids
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Pamplona Prayer
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Facade of the City Council of Pamplona decorated for the San Fermín festivities.
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Statues dedicated to the Sanfermines festival, in Pamplona
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Monument to Ernest Hemingway outside the bullring in Pamplona.
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Chupinazo
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A small shrine (hornacina) of the saint on the slope of Santo Domingo, where young people ask San Fermín for help.
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The running of the bulls as it passes through the town hall square.
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Bulls running on July 7, 2005, in Consistorial Square, Pamplona.
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Pamplona's Giants and Big-heads parade family photo. From back to front and left to right we can see the American, Asian, African and European pairs of giants (last row), the six kilikis and the 5 big-heads (second row), the zaldikos, and members of the parade who carry the figures (front row).
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Pamplona Bullring.
See also
In Spanish: San Fermín para niños
