Bous al carrer (“bulls in the street”) are traditional bull events in the Valencian Community in which fighting cattle are let loose, led, run, caped or dodged in the street, without the animal ever being fought in the ring. They are part of the fiesta programme of many towns and are, as the Generalitat’s own regulation puts it, “the celebration par excellence” of the Valencian Community.
What the regulation says
The definition comes from the regional regulation: Consell Decree 91/2026 of 12 June, published in DOGV no. 10390 of 23 June 2026, which comes into force on 1 January 2027 and replaces Decree 31/2015 of 6 March.
Its preamble gives a sense of scale: some 9,000 events a year in more than 260 municipalities, half of all the traditional bull events held in Spain. Among the things the text regulates:
- Authorisation: the organiser applies to the regional ministry (conselleria) at least fifteen working days in advance, stating the day, time, route and types of event.
- Medical service: at least one doctor and one nurse, with their equipment, and an ambulance beside the medical post from an hour beforehand. If the ambulance leaves, even for a moment, the event is suspended.
- Vet: hiring one is optional except in the cases where the regulation requires it.
- Cadafals and stands: the platforms for the public will have to pass a technical inspection by an architect or building surveyor within six years of the regulation coming into force.
The rules also distinguish between spectators, who watch from where the animal cannot reach, and participants, who take part freely and assume the risk. Anyone in the street within reach of the animal counts as a participant, and the regulation bans anyone under 16 from taking part.
Types
| Type | What it is, according to the regulation |
|---|---|
| Roped animal or bou a la corda | A bull or heifer led through the streets with ropes attached to the animal, without the route having to be closed off. |
| Fire-horned animal or bou embolat | The animal wears metal fittings on its horns holding lit balls. A male has to be at least three years old and a female five. |
| Bull run (encierro) | The movement of the animals from one point to another along an authorised route, including versions on horseback, camperas (across open country) and mixed. |
| Release of animals | Release of heifers or of a toro de corro (bull for the ring). |
| Exhibition of cerril animals | Animals that have never been caped, fought or run before. |
| Bou a la mar | The type held beside the sea; if it uses the coast, it also needs authorisation from the Coastal Authority. |
| Recortes contest | Participants who dodge and swerve around the animal. |
Where and when
Bous al carrer can be held on public roads, in bullring-type enclosures and in fixed or portable bullrings. The dates are set by each town within its fiesta programme.
Peñas, committees and food
Behind each event there is an organiser or promoter, often the town council itself, and around it, peñas (social clubs) and fiesta committees that get together to eat during those days. Xepep prepares meals for local fiestas and committees, with kitchen and bar in the marquee and big get-together lunches. If the meal is for a large group, see how much rice per person.
Related terms
Between one event and the next, the Valencian fiesta is also measured in gunpowder: the mascletà. If you are interested in fiesta life in general, see what a comparsa is and what a casal faller is.
For more vocabulary from the table and the fiesta, explore Verbena.