FESTIVALS OF SAN SEBASTIÁN DE LOS REYES
CRISTO DE LOS REMEDIOS FESTIVITY
This festivity to honour Cristo de los Remedios, the patron saint of San Sebastián de los Reyes, begins on the 28th of August and lasts for a week. The most significant events of this festivity are bullfighting, free concerts, and amazing fireworks generally hosted at Anfiteatro Municipal, Plaza de la Constitución and Plaza de Toros La Tercera. This festivity is very well-known for its bull runnings early in the morning every day during the festivity, being compared to "sanfermines," the festivities in celebration of San Fermín in Pamplona. There are usually six traditional bull runnings until the bull ring, a contest of bullfighters, etc.
The bullfighting events have a long tradition in San Sebastián de los Reyes, since 33 years right after the foundation of the city by the Spanish Catholic Monarchs there was already evidence of bullfighting events in the streets. For this reason they are really significant during the local festivities, being the bull runnings the most important bullfighting event.
The itinerary of the bull running comprises the streets Leopoldo Gimeno, Real Vieja, Postas, Real, Estafeta, and Avenida de la Plaza de Toros.
The total length of it is 820 metres, whereas its mean duration ranges from 2 minutes to 15 seconds. Obviously it is impossible to do the whole itinerary, and that is why runners usually pick one section of it. For beginners, the first sections are recommended for having an easier sketch to hide from the bull more quickly and safely.
THE 2 OF MAY
The 2nd of May is an important festivity day in San Sebastián de los Reyes for two reasons: that is the Community of Madrid Day and also it is the date of Real Cédula (Royal Decree) by the Spanish Catholic Monarchs officially founding the city.
During this day the people of San Sebastián de los Reyes carry out food contests in an enclosure at Dehesa Boyal, being the beef (from the bull) stew the most typical food.