When does the Sanfermin Fiesta take place?
The Sanfermin Festival is celebrated in Pamplona from the 6th to the 14th of July. On the 6th the Fiesta opens with the txupinazo, - the fireworks rocket that is set off from the balcony of the Town Hall at 12.o’clock midday to announce the start of the Festival - and from then on its non-stop action until midnight of the 14th when the Pobre de Mí- the closing act of the Festival is announced from the same balcony of the Town Hall.

When does the Bull-running take place ? Is it necessary to sign-up somewhere if you want to run in it?
The first bull-running take places on the morning of the 7th of July at 8,00’clock in the morning and then each successive morning up to and including the 14th.

There’s no need to sign-up anywhere. It’s simply a matter of walking inside the fencing about one hour before the bull-running starts (before the fencing is closed) and waiting for the rocket to go off to announce the start of the run. The important thing is simply to be sure you want to run and to be conscious and considerate of the others runners so that you don’t disturb them through any reckless misbehaviour. It would be a good idea to check out the route of the run so that you can choose the particular spot you want to start from. You could have a look at our section about the bull-running, where we offer some tips about how and where to run.

Where can you get tickets for the bull-fights?
The fact is that it is not easy to get tickets to see the afternoon bull-fights since the vast majority of the seats belong to season-ticket owners. The only tickets sold to the public daily are about 10% of the total tickets and these are sold at the bull-ring at about 8,30 the evening after each fight (the tickets for the 7th of July are sold the 6th, from 10,00 to 14,00). There are usually large queues waiting for the box-office to open at 8,30 and most of these people are ticket louts who buy up as many tickets as they can so that they can resell them at much higher prices. In most cases you will have to buy from them if you want to get a ticket. You should be on your guard so as not to get ripped-off too much as most of these people are “sharp” cookies. However, if the price seems reasonable to you, you may like to see at least one afternoon’s fighting.

And when does the official program come out?
The official program of the Festival is published by the Town Hall about two or weeks before the Festival. As soon as it appears Kukuxumusu puts it on the web page. In any case, the program doesn’t change much from year to year, except for some of the music concerts and shows where obviously, there are new and different performances each year.

Where can the San Fermin Poster and The Feria de Toro Poster be got?
San Fermin Poster is printed and published by the Town Hall the same as the official program, and these are available from the book stores or in the Tourism Office. The Yoar distributor also sends it with a policy of payment on receipt by calling telephone  948 30 22 39 or by sending a fax to  948 30 27 08. The Feria de Toro Poster is printed and published by “La Casa de Misericordia” (better known as “La Meca”) which is the charity organisation which puts on the bull-fights. They have an office at No. 1, Vuelta del Castillo, where the posters can be got. Or you could also go to the “Tombola” (the Charity Draw) in Paseo Sarasate.

For a first-timer to the Fiestas what are the things that shouldn’t be missed?
There are lots of things going on each day and it’s difficult to say what would be the most interesting, but there are certainly some things which in our opinion shouldn’t be missed out. The first would be the txupinazo, one of the most emotional moments and which announces the opening of the Fiesta. Another would have to be the bull-running, which you must know about, even if only from hear-say. Here, is where the multitude gather in the narrow central streets of the town to run before the pack of bulls and lead them up to the bull-ring. Don’t miss the parade of the giants and their consorts every morning through the streets of the city; is a wonderful spectacle for children.

And in the afternoon bull-fights to see the same bulls in action in the ring. But even if you have no interest in bull-fighting, the scene on the terraces is a spectacle in itself and is certainly one of the highlights of the fiesta.

The fact is, the real spectacle of the San Fermin Festival is what is happening each day and night on the streets where there are all sorts of things worth seeing. The "Peñas sanfermineras" or social clubs, are usually the protagonists of the night life with their bands of music as they march around the streets of the old part of town. After the bull-fights they provide a raucous spectacle as they parade out of the bull-ring in unison and slowly head back to their club premises. The final act of the Fiesta, The Pobre de Mí is very emotional and a must for most people, while for others it is a depressing moment and best ignored. In any case, it seems to be getting more and more popular among many people to prolong the Festival well into the morning of the 15th. Some of them will go to the street where the bull-pen is found and, although there are now no bulls, they will run in front of the 8 o’clock -city transport-bus or have some such final fling.