Tenerife Neighborhood Replaces Bullfighting With Mechanical 'Running of the Bulls'

The neighborhood of La Hoya Ana Díaz in Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife, has found a creative way to celebrate its July festivities while moving away from traditional bullfighting. The event, which concludes this Monday, July 13, avoids animal welfare concerns by replacing live cattle with handcrafted, mechanical structures.

Rather than following outside traditions, this festival honors Doña Fermina, a local resident who donated the land where the neighborhood church now stands. To celebrate this history, residents participate in a "running of the bulls" using wooden frames and wheelbarrows—most notably a contraption nicknamed "Tora Lola." These are pushed by the locals themselves to interact with the crowd in a fun, safe way.

The initiative has gained official support, with Mayor Javier Sierra attending the races. The broader festival program, which began on July 8, has featured a variety of activities, including card games, children’s shows, mariachi music, and foam parties. This reflects a growing trend across Spain: communities are finding new ways to maintain cultural heritage and social bonds without the use of live animals.

This approach in northern Tenerife shows how local communities are adapting traditions to fit modern values, proving that collective fun and animal welfare can go hand in hand. By successfully reimagining these celebrations, Icod de los Vinos has become a model for how neighborhood creativity can keep local traditions alive and inclusive.