Running of the Bulls Brings Excitement to New Orleans This July
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You haven’t seen it all until you’ve witnessed New Orleans’ eccentric version of Running of the Bulls. This wild festival, known as San Fermin in Nueva Orleans, is modeled after the traditional event that takes place in Pamplona, Spain, each year.
But instead of the wild beasts running in the streets goring people, the Big Easy Rollergirls (plus the participants from the other roller derby leagues across the country) dress up like bulls and skate after runners, attempting to whack them with wiffle ball bats. This fest is sure to get your blood pumping!
The runners are encouraged to wear all white with red accents like sashes and kerchiefs (following the style of the traditional Spanish festival). The bulls sport black and red, and horned helmets. Both the runners and the bulls are known to get creative with their costuming, so you’ll have the chance to see some pretty eccentric creations out there.
This year, the festival will be held over the weekend of July 11-13, 2025. The Encierro (the run) itself is always held on Saturday, and the partying starts early. Around 6:30 a.m. people will start gathering around Gallier Hall (545 St. Charles Ave.) in downtown New Orleans, enjoying live music, food trucks, and sangria.
After the procession and the invocation honoring San Fermin, patron saint of Pamplona, the run begins at 8 a.m., making its way through the CBD and Warehouse District on a near-mile-long route.
Although you will get some exercise while running from the Derby Girls, Running of the Bulls is just as much about the food and drinks as it is about the “running.” Many participants will stick around after the run is done, at approximately noon, to continue partying at La Fiesta de Pantalones held at Espiritu Mezcaleria (520 Capdeville St.) or do some bar crawling in the area.
The festival’s opening party on Friday is an annual ticketed fundraiser with an open bar, an auction, and delicious food provided by local restaurants. This year, the food and the drinks will be provided by Atchafalaya, High Grinds, Juan’s Flying Burrito, and Sidecar Nola. The party, called El Txupinazo (pronounced “ el choo-pin-AHT-so”), is held at High Grinds Coffee (1724 St. Charles Ave.), 6-9 p.m.
The closing party on Sunday, called El Pobre de Mi (“Poor Me”), will wrap things up. This will be your chance to recover from the run with burlesque and cocktails at Gallier Hall, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
All events are ticketed. Proceeds go to Beth’s Friends Forever, a charity named after Nola Bulls cofounder Beth Hanning, which raises money for local women fighting cancer.
Interested? Register and get tickets online, and check out the rules of the run before you go.
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