Pamplona (Navarra) is probably mostly known around the world thanks to the festival that it is home to from 6th of July at noon till 14th of July at midnight, SanFermines, or maybe better known as the bull run.
Mark this link if you plan to go, it comes with a lot of useful information.
The origin of the fiesta of San FermÃn goes back to the Middle Ages and is related to three celebrations: religious ceremonies in honour of San FermÃn, which intensified from the 12th century onwards, trade fairs and bullfights, which were first documented in the 14th century. Initially, the fiesta San FermÃn was held on October 10th, but in 1591 the people of Pamplona, fed up with the bad weather at that time of year, decided to transfer the fiesta to July so it would coincide with the Fair. This is how the Sanfermines were born. It initially lasted two days and had a pregón (opening speech), musicians, a tournament, theatre and bullfights. Other events were added later, such as fireworks and dances, and the fiesta lasted until July 10th. (Source)
The event became world wide known thanks to the book of Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises (1926) which tells the story "about a group of American and British expatriates who travel from Paris to the Festival of San FermÃn in Pamplona to watch the running of the bulls and the bullfights"(Source)
The Events
Chupinazo (aka txupinzo, Basque)
6 July, 12:00, Plaza Consistorial.
"The Opening Ceremony the "Chupinazo" is marked by a rocket being launched from the city hall. The explosion of the fireworks rockets at midday on the 6th of July is the signal for the start of 9 days of non-stop partying." (Source)
Riau - Riau
6 July, 16:30, City Hall
​​The members of the city council​ parade from the City Hall to a nearby chapel dedicated to Saint FermÃn with participants dancing to the Astrain Waltz along the way.[...] The procession was removed from the festival calendar in 1992 for the sake of public order, as political activists used the "Riau-Riau" to promote clashes with authorities. [...] Nevertheless in recent years it has been held unofficially without the participation of the members of the city council. In 1996 and 2012 there were two failed attempts to restore the original act with the participation of the city council, both of them being cancelled due to the violent clashes with some participants
Saint Fermin procession
7 July, 10:00, San Lorenzo church
"Thousands of people accompany the 15th-century statue of Saint Fermin through the old part of Pamplona. The statue is accompanied by dancers and street entertainers, and different political and religious authorities including the city mayor. During procession a Jota (an ancient traditional dance) is performed for the saint, a rose is offered in the Saint Cernin well, and the "gigantes" (enormous wood-framed and papier-mâché puppet figures managed from inside) dance and twirl while the cathedral bell named MarÃa (Mary) peals."(Source)
Struendo
no fixed date, 23:59, behind the Town Hall
"It started some thirty years ago and the idea is that a crowd collects behind the Town Hall with any kind of musical instrument or anything that can make a loud noise, and they set off on parade through the streets."(Source)
Pobre de mi
14 July, 0:00, Plaza Consistorial
"The last day of the Sanfermines is a bittersweet day because of the many farewells and overall melancholy- However it’s also a happy day, because the mayor of Pamplona, tells us that there are only 365 days until the next Sanfermines!" (Source). "This closing ceremony tradition started out in the 1920s". (Source)
Here the Lyrics to be prepared
Running of the bulls
every day, 8AM
El Encierro (the running of the bulls) "involves hundreds of people running in front of six bulls and another six steers down an 825-metre (0.51 mile) stretch of narrow streets of a section of the old town of Pamplona. The run ends in the Pamplona's bullring taking a mean time of around 3 minutes where the bulls would be held until the afternoons bullfight when they would be killed. Bullruns are held between 7 and 14 July."(Source)
Runners should start somewhere between the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square) and the pink-slab Education building in the Cuesta of Santo Domingo, and they should be there before 7:30am because entry to the run is closed from that time on. (Source)
Giants and big-heads parade
each monring, after running of the bulls
"Most Spanish festivals feature parading giants. (In Spanish, it’s called gigantes y cabrezudos, or giants and big heads.) [...] 8 giant-sized figures, about 13 feet tall, which were constructed by artist Pamplona Tadeo Amorena in 1860, are paraded through town, accompanied by men wearing 3-foot tall big head masks. They all groove to traditional Spanish music called passacaglia. The giants symbolize kings and queens from Africa, Asia, America and Europe." (Source)
Traditional sports
every day, morning, Plaza de los Fueros
You can see exhibitions and competitions of Basque rural sports: stone lifting, wood cutting, or hay bale lifting.
Jai alai tournament of Sanfermin is a prestigious competition of basque pelota.
Bullfight
July 7th to 14th at 18.30, Pamplona bullring
"6 bulls that have been driven to the bullring during the bullrunning of that day are killed. In addition the 5th bullfight with younger bulls and not fully trained bullfighters is performed while the 6th features bullfighters on horses (in Spanish "rejoneo"). While the bullring of the city is the fourth largest in size in the world, it is full every afternoon and tickets are hard to find". (Source)
Fireworks
every day, 23:00
"The best place to watch the fireworks is unquestionably the large stretch of grass in the area surrounding the citadel, the emblematic enclosure in the Vuelta del Castillo." (Source)
The Ruls
(Source)
People under 18 years of age, who must not run or participate.
Crossing police barriers placed to ensure that the run goes off smoothly.
Standing in areas and places along the route that have been expressly prohibited by the municipal police force.
Before the bulls are released, waiting in corners, blind spots, doorways or in entrances to other establishments located along the run.
Leaving doors of shops or entrances to apartments open along the route. The responsibility for ensuring these doors are closed lies with the owners or tenants of the properties.
Being in the bull run while drunk, under the effects of drugs or in any other improper manner.
Carrying objects that are unsuitable for the run to take place correctly.
Wearing inappropriate clothes or footwear for the run.
Inciting the bulls or attracting their attention in any manner, and for whatever reason, along the route of the run or in the bullring.
Running backwards towards the bulls or running behind them.
Holding, harassing or maltreating the bulls and stopping them from moving or being led to the pens in the bullring.
Stopping along the run and staying on the fence, barriers or in doorways in such a way that the run or the safety of other runners is jeopardized.
Taking photographs inside the run, or from the fences or barriers without due authorization.
Carrying objects that are unsuitable for the good order and security of the bull run.
Installing elements that invade horizontal, vertical or aerial space along the bull run, unless expressly authorised by the Mayor"s Office.
Any other action that could hamper the bull run taking place normally.
Some extra FAQ..you can find answers here.
Well now you have all the details...book far in adavane if you want to sleep at a hotel, and take note that masive alcohol amounts are consumed during this week, if a girl, avoid being on your own around the streets.
...and one more thing....dress in white!