So you're wondering when is the Running of the Bulls this year? Let's cut straight to it: The event happens annually from July 7th to 14th in Pamplona, Spain. Every single morning at 8:00 AM sharp, those gates swing open and six half-ton fighting bulls charge through cobblestone streets packed with adrenaline-junkie runners. But if you think that's all there is to know, hold on – I learned the hard way that timing is just the tip of the horn.
I still remember my first time in 2018. Got there July 6th thinking I was early, only to find every hotel within miles sold out. Ended up sleeping on a park bench near the Plaza del Castillo. Rookie mistake. You don't just show up for this thing. The festival swallows the whole city whole, and you either prep like a pro or get trampled (sometimes literally).
Exactly When Does the Bull Run Happen?
Let's break down the schedule so you don't end up like me that first year:
| Date | Event Significance | Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| July 6th | Opening ceremony (Chupinazo) – Absolute chaos begins | 12:00 PM |
| July 7-14 | Daily running of the bulls (Encierro) | 8:00 AM sharp |
| July 14 | Closing ceremony (Pobre de Mí) | Midnight |
The runs last 2-4 minutes typically, but that's the most intense 240 seconds of your life. Gates at Santo Domingo corral open precisely at 8 AM. Not 8:01. Spanish time means on time. They fire two rockets: first when gates open, second when all bulls are in the bullring. Between those booms? Sheer pandemonium.
Why These Dates?
Honestly, I used to think it was random until I asked locals. It's tied to the Feast of San Fermín, the patron saint of Navarre. Originally a religious thing in the Middle Ages, now it's... well, what you see today. Some argue it's become too commercial, and after seeing €15 beers in side alleys, I get it.
Planning Your Trip: More Than Just Dates
Knowing when is the Running of the Bulls means nothing without logistics. Here’s what travel blogs won’t tell you:
Where to Stay (Book Yesterday)
- Budget: Hostels like Aloha Hostel (€120/night dorm during festival!). Book 6+ months ahead.
- Mid-range: Hotel Tres Reyes (€300-400/night). Walking distance to route.
- Splurge: NH Pamplona Iruña Park (€600+/night) – pool views of chaos
My advice? Stay outside the city center. I paid €180/night for a tiny room above a tapas bar that reeked of stale wine. Worth it for the stories though.
Getting There
Pamplona's small. Your options:
- Fly: Pamplona Airport (PNA) – limited flights, pricey
- Train: From Madrid (3-4 hours, €50-80)
- Bus: Cheapest (€30 from Barcelona, 6 hours)
Pro tip: Rent a car only if leaving immediately after. Parking is hell.
Festival Costs Breakdown
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Ball Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | €80-€150 | €200-€400 | €500+ |
| Food/Drink (daily) | €30 (supermarket) | €60 (tapas) | €120+ (restaurants) |
| Bullfight Tickets | €40 (nosebleed) | €100 (mid-tier) | €350 (barrier) |
| Sangria Pitcher | €8 (street stall) | €15 (bar) | €25 (hotel) |
Yeah, it’s pricier than Barcelona. Supply and demand.
💡 Insider Hack: Buy your all-white outfit (mandatory for runners) at Decathlon in Pamplona. Local shops triple prices during the festival. Got my pants for €12 instead of €35.
The Morning Madness: What Actually Happens
Let's walk through D-Day. Or rather, M-Day at 5:45 AM:
- 5:45-6:30 AM: Drag yourself to Calle Mercaderes. Already packed. Smells faintly of urine and anticipation.
- 6:30 AM: Police clear the route. Need wristband to run? Nope, that’s a myth. Just show up sober-ish.
- 7:30 AM: Crowd sings to Virgin Mary statue. Chills, even if you're not religious.
- 7:55 AM: Heart pounds like a drum. Idiots climbing fences get tasered (seen it twice).
- 8:00 AM: First rocket BOOM. Gates open. Silence. Then... thunder.
The bulls cover 875 meters in about 3 minutes. Key spots:
- Dead Man's Corner (Calle Estafeta): Where bulls slide into walls. Most gorings happen here.
- Telefónica stretch: Long straightaway. Bulls hit top speed.
- Bullring entrance: Stampede bottleneck. Saw someone lose a shoe here.
⚠️ Reality Check: 15 people died since 1910. Hundreds injured yearly. I watched a guy break ribs in 2019. Ambulances wait at every corner. This isn’t Disneyland.
Safety Tips They Don’t Tell Tourists
Forget those "10 Running Tips" lists. Real talk from someone who’s done it:
| DO: | Wear proper running shoes (no flip-flops!) |
| DON'T: | Touch the bulls – instant arrest |
| DO: | Stay near walls for escape routes |
| DONT: | Run drunk – blood alcohol limit is 0.0% |
| DO: | FALL AND STAY DOWN if tripped |
Biggest danger isn’t bulls – it’s other runners. Panicked people trample you. Saw a tourist vomit from fear mid-run. Not pretty.
Essential Gear Checklist
- White pants & shirt (required)
- Red scarf/sash (sold everywhere)
- Trail running shoes (cobblestones = ankle breakers)
- Fanny pack for ID/phone (pickpockets feast)
- NO selfie sticks (banned)
Ethical Stuff Nobody Wants to Discuss
Look, I love the rush. But after seeing exhausted bulls slip on corners? It sits wrong. Animal rights groups protest daily. Some facts:
- Bulls run only once before afternoon bullfights
- Most are killed same day in corridas
- Electric prods used if they stop (rare, but happens)
Alternative? Recortes – bull-leaping without killing. Less famous, more humane.
Beyond the Run: What Else to Experience
San Fermín isn’t just about bulls. My favorite parts:
- Gigantes parade: Massive puppets dance through streets
- Peñas parties: Private club parties (find a local invite!)
- Fireworks: Every night at 11 PM near Ciudadela
- Best tortilla: Café Roch (Plaza del Castillo) – €4.50
FAQs: Stuff You Actually Need to Know
Can I run if I’m a tourist?
Yep. No special permit. Just show up before 7:30 AM. But please, train first. My hotel mate from Ohio thought his treadmill sessions prepared him...
What if I miss the dates?
Other Spanish towns host bull runs. Tafalla (nearby): July 24-28. Cuéllar (August). But nothing matches Pamplona’s scale.
How far in advance should I book?
Hotels: 8-12 months. Flights: 5-6 months. Last-minute? Expect 3x prices or sleeping outdoors (bring a sleeping bag).
Is it safe for women traveling solo?
Daytime: yes. Nighttime: stick to crowded areas. Sexual assaults happen during parties. Police presence is heavy but be alert.
When is the Running of the Bulls least crowded?
July 7th (chaotic start) and 14th (final day exhaustion). Middle days peak. July 12th 2019 had 20,000+ runners. Pure insanity.
Can kids attend?
Watching? Yes, from balconies (rent one for €100-300). Running? Minimum age 18. Strollers? Suicide – streets are packed 24/7.
Final Straight: Should You Actually Go?
After three visits? Mixed feelings. The energy is electric – sangria flowing, strangers hugging, drums pounding till dawn. But the animal cruelty and tourist traps taint it.
If you crave the adrenaline, go once. Just know what you’re buying. Study the route map. Train for sprinting. And for heaven’s sake, learn basic Spanish. Saw a guy yell “Where bulls?!” at a cop. Not a good look.
So when is the Running of the Bulls? Mark July 7-14 permanently. But make your decision eyes wide open. For some, it’s a bucket list blast. For others? A €1,500 lesson in chaos. Personally, I’m done running. Next time? Balcony view with sangria in hand. Much smarter.
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