The traditional chupinazo rocket launch and fireworks officially opened the 2026 San Fermín festival in Pamplona's Town Hall Square on Monday [1, 2].
The event marks the start of one of Spain's most famous cultural celebrations, drawing global attention to the city's unique traditions and the risks associated with its bull runs.
Tens of thousands of people packed the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to witness the ceremony [2]. The crowd, many dressed in the festival's signature red and white, gathered to celebrate the beginning of the nine-day event [1].
"The traditional rocket launch has officially opened San Fermín 2026," the Associated Press said [1].
The chupinazo serves as the formal signal for the festivities to begin. Following the blast, revellers celebrated in the square, with some reports noting that thousands of participants sprayed each other with red wine [4].
The festival is known for its daily bull runs, where participants run ahead of bulls through the narrow streets of the city. The first bull run of the 2026 sequence is scheduled for Tuesday [1].
Local municipal authorities coordinated the opening to ensure the safety of the massive crowds. The celebration continues through the week, blending religious observance, and high-adrenaline public spectacle [1, 3].
“The traditional rocket launch has officially opened San Fermín 2026.”
The San Fermín festival remains a critical economic driver for Pamplona, balancing the preservation of ancestral traditions with the modern challenges of crowd management and animal rights scrutiny. The successful execution of the chupinazo sets the tone for the city's ability to maintain public order during a period of extreme tourism and high-risk activity.
