Others Party

Vespers

The Vespers sung in honour of the Saint take place in the chapel of San Fermin in the Church of San Lorenzo at 8 pm on the 6th and are the first religious act of the fiesta. The Corporation attends the service dressed in full ceremonial attire, the men in tail coats, gloves and top hats, and the women in a costume based on traditional dress from the Valleys of Roncal, Salazar and Aézcoa. In addition to the members of the council, hundreds of locals attend the mass, which involves the Music Chapel from the Cathedral of Santa María, accompanied by musicians from Orquesta Santa Cecilia and sopranos from the Loyola Boys’ Choir. Until a few years ago, the Vespers were preceded by the celebration of the Riau-Riau, a popular event at which the mozos (lads) tried to hinder the Council as it made its way to the Church of San Lorenzo to attend Vespers to the sound of the “Waltz of Astráin” played by the "Pamplonesa" Band. In the last few years it was held, the event, which also involved heralds, kettledrummers, macebearers, liveried escorts, Municipal Police and the Company of Giants and Bigheads, was cancelled due to troublemakers.

Little Bull Run

From the 6th to the 13th of July, just before 11 pm, the bulls to be fought the next day are led from the Gas corral to the Santo Domingo corral. The route, 440 metres, is performed in silence and with very little light. In order to attend, it is necessary to have one of the tickets which the Council hands out free of charge a few days before the fiesta begins.

The selection

At 1 pm from the 7th to the 14th of July, the bulls for the afternoon’s fights are allocated in the Bullring as part of a lively, colourful event. You need to buy a ticket to attend. In Pamplona, this is more a social than a strictly bullfighting event. In addition to bullfighting fans, it is also attended by well-known personalities intent on enjoying a good Andalusian dry sherry, criadillas de toro (bull’s testicles) and chistorra (spicy sausage).

Procession of mules and horsemen

At 5.30 pm from the 7th to the 14th of July, this attractive entourage covers the route from the Town Hall to the Bullring before the bullfights begin. Two horsemen dressed in black and wearing capes lead the group. Behind them come two groups of three mules (used to drag the dead bulls from the Bullring) decorated with bells and pack saddles, accompanied by 14 muleteers. The Municipal Band "La Pamplonesa" brings up the rear.

The bullfights

At 6.30 pm from the 7th to the 14th of July in the Bullring. Pamplona’s bullfights are unique thanks to the mozos from the Peñas (San Fermin club) and their charangas (brass bands), which take up position in the Sol section and entertain the crowd with songs and music. And if the bullfight is not up to scratch, they organise their own party with music and jokes, food, wine and champagne flying through the air.

Departure of the Peñas

After the bullfights, the Peñas leave the Bullring with their charangas and banners, filling the city with their music and revelry. Seeing them leave the Bullring with their shirts all stained and their buckets empty is quite a spectacle. In no time, they take over the streets, where everyone dances and sings along to the music of the charangas.

Festivals and music

Over the eight and a half days of the fiesta, there is a wide range of festivals in the city: dance exhibitions, rural sports, bull events in the Bullring, etc. Many forms of music also invade the streets. You can find anything from jota festivals and txistu (Basque pipes) concerts to live dance music and rock concerts. But the real music of the Fiesta of San Fermin is that of the charangas and the Peñas, playing in the streets throughout the day.

The Struendo

This event, although not on the official programme, has now become a tradition. It is held at 12 midnight, on no particular day, near to the Town Hall and the Plaza del Castillo. All you need in order to take part is a bass drum, tambour, txistu (Basque pipe) or a kettledrum to play non-stop to the "Pocico de San Cernin" (Saint Saturnine’s well). The party belongs to the bass drum, whose deafening rhythm threatens the ear drums of those taking part and those watching alike.

Firework displays

At 11 pm every day, firework displays are set off from the moats of the Citadel. These can be seen from a large part of the city, particularly Vuelta del Castillo. It is the most popular event on the fiesta programme.

The Octave

At 10.45 am on the 14th of July, the Council marches in procession once again to the Church of San Lorenzo to attend the Octave of the Saint’s Day. The Corporation attends in full ceremonial attire, accompanied by the Company of Giants, the "Pamplonesa" music band and other figures from the council entourage.