Chupinazo Festival 2012 Festival / Party Jul 6, 2012 12:00 pm

Chupinazo is the opening ceremony of San Fermín and takes place in the Plaza del Castillo.

Every inch of the square is gradually filled by a massive crowd that begins to trickle in early in the morning and continues to gather force until noon, when the palpable energy and excitement reaches its peak. At that point, the mayor of Pamplona gives a rousing speech from the balcony of the Town Hall to the enthusiastic crowd below and fires a rocket to officially start the festival. Thousands of spectators then raise traditional red bandanas (pañuelicos) above their heads, which are worn by almost everyone all week long and are sold on nearly every street corner.

Madness ensues as merrymakers pop open bottles of champagne and wine, spraying their neighbors with foam, pouring wine on their heads, and just getting downright messy. The cheering, singing, and general melee thus sets the tone for the week’s festivities.