UPDATE: The 2021 San Fermin has been cancelled.

The organizers of the San Fermin Festival have released the 2021 Running of the Bulls schedule and due to the cancellation of the 2020 edition, we are expecting a celebration unlike any other.

Per usual, the festival begins on July 6th and concludes on July 14th at midnight (going into the 15th). The weekend dates fall on July 9,10, and 11, which invites an extended celebration in 2021.

The following is an outline of the official Running of the Bulls 2021 schedule, including activities and events planned for each day. If you’re visiting Pamplona for the Opening Ceremony, plan on arriving Monday, July 5, 2021.

---

Booking advice from the Bucket List Events Staff:

We have had a program in Pamplona since 2007 and have seen all types of clients come through. Our familiarity with the festival and client expectations gives us the experience we need to plan your perfect stop in Pamplona.

There are different phases during the festival, and we would love to find which one fits you best. Read below for brief descriptions of each date, and scroll down for full package details.

Opening dates (July 5,6,7)

Known as the Chupinazo, the opening dates will always be a massive party with loud music everywhere and extremely congested streets. Some guests are seeking this experience, others would prefer to experience the festival with a little more legroom. With the 2020 San Fermin having been cancelled, the 2021 version could be one for the ages. This portion of the festival also carries a higher price tag than the dates that follow, and is popular with US travelers looking to take advantage of the 4th of July holiday. If you are looking for the biggest party and don’t mind a hot, sweaty crowd around you (and spending a good bit more), our Opening Ceremonies Package is for you. Please note that our package begins on July 5th.

Mid-Festival Dates (July 8,9,10,11)

Typically, the July 8-11 dates bring an influx of European travelers, including the French looking to celebrate Bastille Day. The 2021 version of these dates could be pretty boisterous since these are the only weekend dates of the year, so the city could be more full than usual. These dates traditionally have been some of the best dates to participate in the run as the number of participants are noticeably less than July 7th and 8th. The hotels have lower rates, and you get more bang for your buck during these dates.

Closing Dates (July 12,13,14)

Full of unique traditions not seen in the earlier festival dates, the closing dates are the least crowded time of the festival. This is perfect for those looking to experience the San Fermin, but prefer to avoid the massive crowds that come with the opening days. You can expect to enjoy all of the San Fermin traditions, including the intimate “Pobre de mi.” Since this is also the best dates for hotel rates, the closing is very popular with international travelers.

*Events written in italics are Bucket List Events specific activities

---

Tuesday, July 6 – Chupinazo!

12:00 pm – Chupinazo Opening Ceremonies at Plaza Consistorial and Plaza del Castillo

1:30 pm – Folkloric Festival at Plaza de Los Fueros, located just outside of the Citadel of Pamplona

4:30 pm – Giants and Big Heads parade around Pamplona’s city center, beginning by one of our hotels

6:30 pm – Rejones bullfights on horseback at Plaza de Toros 

8:30 pm – Live music at Plaza de Los Fueros

10:00 pm – Toro de Fuego (fireworks bull) begins at Santo Domingo Street

11:15 pm – Firework show at Citadel of Pamplona

11:30 pm – Concert at Plaza de Los Fueros

12:00 pm – Midnight marching bands throughout Pamplona

12:00 am – Outdoor concert at Plaza de Castillo

12:00 am – Outdoor concert at Parque de Antonuitti (Just behind Tres Reyes Hotel)

---

Wednesday, July 7 – First bull run and bull fight

8:00 am – First bull run of the festival starts at Santo Domingo street

12:00 pm – Marching bands through Casco Viejo

5:30 pm – Caballeros parade and music band from Plaza Consistorial

6:30 pm – First bullfight at Plaza de Toros

8:30 pm – Live music at Plaza de los Fueros

10:00 pm – Toro de Fuego (fireworks bull) begins at Santo Domingo Street

11:00 pm – Firework show at Citadel of Pamplona

11:30 pm – Outdoor music concert at Plaza de Los Fueros

---

Thursday, July 8

For Bucket List Events – Opening package ends, Mid-Festival package begins

6:15 am – Bucket List Events clients gather in hotel lobby for balcony escort

8:00 am – The Running of the Bulls

9:30 am – Giants and Big Heads around Pamplona’s City Center

4:30 pm – Bucket List Events first walking tour of Running of the Bulls course (Private for guests)

6:30 pm – Bucket List Events second walking tour of Running of the Bulls course (Private for guests)

6:30 pm – Bullfight at the Plaza de Toros

8:00 pm – Bucket List Events local dinner experience in Old Town (Private for guests)

10:00 pm – Toro de Fuego (fireworks bull) begins at Santo Domingo Street

11:00 pm – Firework show at Citadel of Pamplona

11:30 pm – Concert at Plaza de Los Fueros

11:30 pm – Concert at Plaza de la Cruz

12:00 am – Concert at Parque de Antonuitti (right behind the Tres Reyes)

12:00 am – Outdoor concert at Plaza de Castillo

---

Friday, July 9

6:15 am – Bucket List Events clients gather in hotel lobby for balcony escort

8:00 am – The Running of the Bulls

9:30 am – Giants and Big Heads around Pamplona’s City Center

4:30 pm – Bucket List Events first walking tour of Running of the Bulls course (Private for guests)

6:30 pm – Bucket List Events second walking tour of Running of the Bulls course (Private for guests)

6:30 pm – Bullfight at the Plaza de Toros

8:00 pm – Bucket List Events local dinner experience in Old Town (Private for guests)

10:00 pm – Toro de Fuego (fireworks bull) begins at Santo Domingo Street

11:00 pm – Firework show at Citadel of Pamplona

11:30 pm – Concert at Plaza de Los Fueros

12:00 am – Concert at Parque de Antonuitti (right behind the Tres Reyes)

12:00 am – Concert at Plaza de Castillo

---

Saturday, July 10 

6:15 am – Bucket List Events clients gather in hotel lobby for balcony escort

8:00 am – The Running of the Bulls

9:30 am – Giants and Big Heads around Pamplona’s City Center

4:30 pm – Bucket List Events walking tour of Running of the Bulls course (Private for guests)

6:30 pm – Bullfight at the Plaza de Toros

10:00 pm – Toro de Fuego (fireworks bull) begins at Santo Domingo Street

11:00 pm – Firework show at Citadel of Pamplona

11:30 pm – Concert at Plaza de Los Fueros

12:00 am – Concert at Parque de Antonuitti (right behind the Tres Reyes)

12:00 am – Concert at Plaza de Castillo

---

Sunday, July 11 

For Bucket List Events – Mid-Festival Bulls and Beach package departs for San Sebastian

6:15 am – Bucket List Events clients gather in hotel lobby for balcony escort

8:00 am – The Running of the Bulls

9:30 am – Giants and Big Heads around Pamplona’s City Center

4:30 pm – Bucket List Events walking tour of Running of the Bulls course (Private for guests)

6:30 pm – Bullfight at the Plaza de Toros

10:00 pm – Toro de Fuego (fireworks bull) begins at Santo Domingo Street

11:00 pm – Firework show at Citadel of Pamplona

11:30 pm – Concert at Plaza de Los Fueros

12:00 am – Concert at Parque de Antonuitti (right behind the Tres Reyes)

12:00 am – Concert at Plaza de Castillo

---

Monday, July 12

6:15 am – Bucket List Events clients gather in hotel lobby for balcony escort

8:00 am – The Running of the Bulls

9:30 am – Giants and Big Heads around Pamplona’s City Center

4:30 pm – Bucket List Events first walking tour of Running of the Bulls course (Private for guests)

6:30 pm – Bucket List Events second walking tour of Running of the Bulls course (Private for guests)

6:30 pm – Bullfight at the Plaza de Toros

10:00 pm – Toro de Fuego (fireworks bull) begins at Santo Domingo Street

11:00 pm – Firework show at Citadel of Pamplona

11:30 pm – Concert at Plaza de Los Fueros

12:00 am – Concert at Parque de Antonuitti (right behind the Tres Reyes)

12:00 am – Concert at Plaza de Castillo

---

Tuesday, July 13, 2020 – Penultimate day of San Fermin Festival

6:15 am – Bucket List Events clients gather in hotel lobby for balcony escort

8:00 am – The Running of the Bulls

9:30 am – Giants and Big Heads around Pamplona’s City Center

4:30 pm – Bucket List Events final walking tour of Running of the Bulls course (Private for guests)

6:30 pm – Bullfight at the Plaza de Toros

10:00 pm – Toro de Fuego (fireworks bull) begins at Santo Domingo Street

11:00 pm – Firework show at Citadel of Pamplona

11:30 pm – Concert at Plaza de Los Fueros

12:00 am – Concert at Parque de Antonuitti (right behind the Tres Reyes)

12:00 am – Concert at Plaza de Castillo

---

Wednesday, July 14 –  Pobre de Mi Closing Ceremony

8:00 am – Final bull run for the festival 

9:30 am – Giants and Big Heads around Pamplona’s City Center

8:00 pm – Bucket List Events local dinner experience in Old Town (Private for guests)

10:00 pm – Toro de Fuego (firework bull) 

11:00 pm – Final Fireworks show in the park

11:59 pm – Pobre de Mi candlelit closing ceremony at Plaza Consistorial