Lorraine Williamson
San Fermín 2026 is now fully underway in Pamplona, where the first bull run of this year’s fiestas took place at 8.00 am on Tuesday, July 7. The festival officially opened on Monday with the traditional chupinazo, but today marks one of its most symbolic moments: the first encierro through the narrow streets of the old city.
The first run was led by bulls from the Fuente Ymbro ranch, from Cádiz, and was described in Spanish media as fast, compact and largely clean. The herd stayed together for most of the route, reducing the risk of more serious incidents, although several runners were treated for bruises and injuries. Early reports said there were no gorings.
The run lasted around two minutes and 16 seconds, making it a quick opening encierro for the 2026 festival. The route followed the traditional course from Santo Domingo, past the Town Hall and through Mercaderes and Estafeta, before reaching the bullring.
Pamplona marks the day of San Fermín
Tuesday, July 7, is the feast day of San Fermín and one of the most important dates in the city’s festive calendar. The religious procession in honour of the saint was scheduled for the morning, following the first encierro, with the city balancing solemn tradition and mass celebration across the old town.
This year’s opening rocket was launched on Monday by two representatives of Navarra’s emergency health service: Clint Jean Louis Fernández, a doctor and deputy director of emergency services, and Araceli Sergio Aguilera, a nurse from the mobile ICU service in Tafalla. Their role in the chupinazo placed health workers at the centre of the festival’s opening moment.
San Fermín runs until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, when Pamplona will close the fiestas with the traditional “Pobre de mí”. Until then, the city’s programme includes more than 500 events, from concerts and fireworks to children’s activities, folklore, street music and the daily encierros.
Heat precautions remain in place this afternoon
The weather is also shaping the festival’s first full day. Pamplona City Council has reminded residents and visitors to take extra care after AEMET issued an orange warning for high temperatures on July 6 and 7, between 1.00 pm and 9.00 pm. The alert coincides with some of the busiest San Fermín opening events.
As a precaution, some children’s activities exposed to the sun are being closed between midday and 5.00 pm on Tuesday. The San Fermín procession was also due to be shortened, with fewer stops, to reduce the time people spend outdoors in the strongest heat.
City officials are urging people to drink water regularly, avoid long periods in direct sun, use shaded areas whenever possible and pay particular attention to children, older people and anyone vulnerable to heat. The advice is especially important for visitors who may be walking, standing in crowds or drinking alcohol during the day.
Seven more bull runs to come
The encierros will continue every morning at 8.00 am until July 14. Each run follows the same traditional route through Pamplona’s historic centre to the bullring, drawing runners, spectators and international media attention.
Participation is strictly controlled. Runners must be over 18, must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and must not carry items such as cameras, backpacks or anything that could obstruct the route. It is also forbidden to touch, provoke, grab or distract the bulls.
For most visitors, the safest way to experience the encierro is from authorised viewing areas or booked balconies. The run itself may last only a few minutes, but it remains dangerous and unpredictable.
A city transformed for nine days
Although the bull runs are the best-known image of San Fermín outside Spain, the festival is far broader than the encierro. For residents, much of its character is found in the streets: brass bands, giants and big-heads, family events, fireworks, religious tradition and long communal days in white clothing and red scarves.
Pamplona will remain in festival mode until July 14, with crowds expected across the city every day and night. After a fast first run and a hot start to the week, the next challenge for organisers is to keep the balance between celebration, safety and tradition as San Fermín 2026 continues.
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