✨ What makes it special
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Madrid's patron saint (San Isidro Labrador—St. Isidore the Farmer, 12th-century Madrid peasant known for miracles with water wells
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woman: bun (moño) with carnation, high-heeled shoes (zapatos de tacón), polka dot dress or white blouse + polka dot skirt). Thousa
📷 Photos
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Fiesta de San Isidro Labrador — main event
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Fiesta de San Isidro Labrador — atmosphere
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Fiesta de San Isidro Labrador — crowd
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Fiesta de San Isidro Labrador — detail
Photos coming soon
📅 Calendar of events
08:00
Encierro — Running of the Bulls
Daily. Six bulls, six steers, 800m of streets. Lasts 3-5 minutes.
12:00
Chupinazo — Opening rocket
Opening day only (July 6). The entire city erupts.
14:00
Giants parade (Gigantes)
Daily parade through old town streets with street bands.
18:30
Bullfight (Corrida)
Daily at Plaza de Toros. Tickets required.
22:00
Toro de fuego (Fire bull)
Fireworks bull through the crowd. Chaotic, spectacular, unmissable.
24:00
"Pobre de mí" closing ceremony
Final night only. The most emotional moment of the festival.
Times approximate. Check official programme.
👁 Where to watch
🐂On the route (Free)
Register at town hall. Genuinely dangerous — first-timers should watch, not run.
🏛Balconies on Calle Estafeta (Paid €40-80)
Best view, safely above the action. Book 6+ months ahead.
🎭Plaza de Toros entrance (Free)
See the dramatic finish. Arrive by 7am.
📺Watch on RTVE (Free)
Spanish TV broadcasts the full run live at 8am.
📖 Full description
Madrid's patron saint (San Isidro Labrador—St. Isidore the Farmer, 12th-century Madrid peasant known for miracles with water wells, patron saint of farmers and day laborers). Madrid : "Romeria de San Isidro" pilgrimage to Ermita de San Isidro (hermitage built 1650) at Pradera de San Isidro park. "Chulapos y Chulapas" (Madrid's traditional 19th-century costume—man: flat cap (parpusa), checked waistcoat (chaleco), carnation in buttonhole; woman: bun (moño) with carnation, high-heeled shoes (zapatos de tacón), polka dot dress or white blouse + polka dot skirt). Thousands dress in "castizo" style (old Madrid working-class costume). "San Isidro" traditions: eat "rosquillas de San Isidro" (donuts)—4 types: "tontas" (plain, "stupid" because no sugar), "listas" (iced with lemon or chocolate, "clever" because decorated), "francesas" (almond), "de aguja" (pepper-flavored). Also: "Agua de San Isidro" (holy water blessed at hermitage's spring—origin of miracle: San Isidro made water spring from dry well). "Verbenas" (street parties) night of May 15 with orquesta (live bands) and dancing at Pradera de San Isidro and Plaza Mayor. Also: bullfights at Las Ventas bullring (corrida de San Isidro) from May 15-30 (San Isidro Fair)—most important bullfighting series of Madrid season
✈️ How to get there
✈️By air
Barajas (MAD) — Metro line 8 to centre 30min.
🚄By train
AVE to every major city. Atocha and Chamartín stations.
🚌By bus
Estación Sur — extensive national network.
🚗By car
M-30/M-40 ring roads. Central parking expensive.
🚇Getting around
Metro world-class — 12 lines. 10-trip Metrobus card best value.
🎟 Tickets
Main events
Running itself is free. Balcony viewing on route: €30-80. Book months ahead.
Additional events
Daily bullfights from €10 (sunny side) to €80+ (shade). Book at taquilla.com.
⚠️ Important tip
Avoid touts outside the bullring — they charge 3-5x face value.
💡 Insider tips
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Watch first, run later
The balconies on Calle Estafeta give a perfect view. Running blind your first time is how people get hurt.
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Arrive the night before
Hotels fill fast. Arriving the morning of is chaos.
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Phone in your pocket
You need both hands free at all times.