TOP SARDINIA EVENTS
Find the best things to do and the most special popular events scheduled in Sardinia
Sardinia is often associated with summer holidays. While a beach holiday can of course be fantastic, and areas such as Costa Smeralda, Stintino, Alghero tend to be very crowded in the summer months. In winter time, Sardinia is visited way less by tourists and has an entirely different kind of charm.
From May until October lasts the summer season with its beautiful beaches. Autumn as well is a great time for visiting Sardinia. The rough of the sea, the edgy wind, the forests with carpets of leaves paint a charming and romantic landscape and by the way don’t forget, you are in Sardinia, the sun will be always shining during the coldest days either.
Every season is an amazing journey in Sardinia and you definetely make the most of it by the greatest events, summer festivals and food feasts all year round
Calendar of the best popular Sardinia events
including free things to do & activities
Sardinia is more than sun and beach – it’s also fun & traditions! Find a party, food festival, folk mucic or other event that brings out the creative energies that make Sardinia a great place to be in love with!
CALENDAR EVENTS
MARCH
SARTIGLIA – THE ORISTANO HORSE RACING CARNIVAL
SARTIGLIA OF ORISTANO | 3 – 5 MARCH 2019
WHEN: each year every last sunday and tuesday of Carnival
WHERE: Oristano
THE EVENT: Sartiglia is the race to the star that is held in Oristano, where carnival and Sartiglia are practically synonymous. It is one of the oldest equestrian events that still take place for more than 500 years. It’s one of the most spectacular and choreographic forms of Carnival in Sardinia. It echoes rites of agrarian regeneration.
Sartiglia Calendar Event 3 – 5 March 2019
APRIL
SETMANA SANTA IN ALGHERO – Holy week & Easter Celebration
THE HOLY WEEK IN ALGHERO | 14 – 21 APRIL 2019
WHEN: the Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday
WHERE: the most spectacular celebrations are held in Sassari, Cagliari, Alghero, Iglesias and Castelsardo (perhaps the most striking)
THE EVENT: the rites of Holy Week are the religious events organized in different places of Sardinia. Beside the most popular are also worthy the rites and processions that take place in other small Sardinia villages like Oristano, Villacidro, Bosa, Cuglieri, Mamoiada, Oliena, Orosei, Desulo, Sarule, Santulussurgiu, Aidomaggiore, Domusnovas, Sorso and Aggius
Setmana Santa in Alghero 14 – 21 April 2019
MAY
LA CAVALCATA SARDA – the great festival of beauty
LA CAVALCATA SARDA (THE SARDINIAN RIDE) | 19th MAY 2019
WHEN: usually the penultimate Sunday of May. This year will be on the 19th May
WHERE: SASSARI
THE EVENT: the Sardinian Cavalcade is an ancient cultural festival that takes place in Sassari. It’s an amazing parade of groups from all over Sardinia. People walk troughout the city by foot, horseback or traccas (the characteristic floats decorated with flowers). The participants wear the Sardinian costume original from each village often enriched by well-finished embroidery and filigree jewelery. The event continues with horses and riders performing acrobatic figures. In the evening in Piazza d’Italia traditional Sardinian songs and dances, on the notes of launeddas.
See the entire program of La Cavalcata Sarda 2019
JULY
S’ARDIA OF SEDILO – the reckless horse race
S’ARDIA OF SEDILO | 6 JULY- 7 JULY 2019
WHEN: on the evening of 6th July and repeats on the morning of 7th July
WHERE: Sedilo (Oristano)
THE EVENT: S’Ardia is a wild ride made in honor of San Costantino. It’s led by the first horse-man, called the first pandela, followed by two other riders and from three companions. Every year about 100 riders participate in the event. Wild, intense and exciting!
See the full calendar of S’Ardia 2019
AUGUST
LA FARADDA DEI CANDELIERI – festha manna of Sassari
LA DISCESA DEI CANDELIERI (THE DESCENT OF CANDELIERI)| 14th AUGUST 2019
WHEN: 14th August
WHERE: SASSARI
THE EVENT: the descent of the Candelieri (la faradda de li candareri) is the festha manna of Sassari. Very old origins for this celebration dating back to the thirteenth century and elected by UNESCO heritage of humanity. The Candelieri procession is a ritual that involves an entire island. A procession attended by the bearers of the huge candles (I candelieri), the Gremi and the gremianti, Sardinian groups in traditional costume, music, dances, food and local products. Unmissable!
The full schedule program of La Discesa dei Candelieri 2019
FERRAGOSTO – Best Mid-Summer Parties of Sardinia
WHEN: 14th -15th AUGUST
WHERE: all over Sardinia
THE EVENT: the traditional Ferragosto – especially in Sardinia – is the much awaited event by all Italians. It’s the day when the summer is celebrated with friends and family. People will spend the day out on boat, having lunch with friends and parties at the beach. In many locations, there is music, singing and dancing throughout the night. The show with fireworks in many beautiful Sardinia towns it can’t be missed!
See where are the best parties to spend Ferragosto in Sardinia
LA FESTA DEL REDENTORE – the greatest Sardinia festival
FESTA DEL REDENTORE (FEAST OF THE REDEEMER) | 25th AUGUST 2019
WHEN: last Sunday of August. This year will be on August 25th
WHERE: Nuoro – between the city and the mountain – Monte Ortobene
THE EVENT: the Feast of the Redeemer is the more authentic and rooted festival in the culture of central Sardinia. Every year always sees a huge participation from all over the island and the ever-increasing presence of Italian and foreign tourists. This late summer appointment is for many a unique opportunity to admire the variety and richness of traditional Sardinian costumes and traditional music and food.
See the entire event calendar of La Festa del redentore 2019
SEPTEMBER
AUTUMN IN BARBAGIA – discover the heart of Sardinia
AUTUMN IN BARBAGIA (AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA)
WHEN: every week-end from September to December
WHERE: Orune, Bitti, Orgosolo, Lula, Mamoiada and other 30 mountain villages
THE EVENT: an amazing winery and food tour amongst more than 30 small towns located in the interior of Sardinia. The Barbagia region is the most authentic part of Sardinia – the land of centenarians – where you can discover the ancient arts and crafts, the local products and be overwhelmed by the true hospitality!
See the full calendar of Autumn in Barbagia 2019
SPORT EVENTS
WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
ALGHERO – SARDINIA: north west & east coast
13th – 16th June 2019
Rugged and sun-baked gravel tracks offer gruelling conditions amid stunning scenery on the Mediterranean holiday island. Rally base and service park are in the west coast town of Alghero with special stages in the north of the island and Olbia in the opposite coast
The Italian round of the World Rally Championship (WRC)
SURF FESTIVAL
CAPO MANNU (ORISTANO)
October 2019
A cultural event with the aim of enhancing the combination of surfing and discovering Sardinia, through a two-day event with parties and entertainment, called “Capo Mannu Surf Festival”. A mix of surfing activities, culture and local food, to gather both experienced surfers and enthusiasts.
GIRO D’ITALIA 100° EDITION
SARDINIA: ALGHERO – OLBIA – TORTOLI – CAGLIARI
5th – 7th May 2017
The 2017 Giro d‘Italia will start in Sardinia with three road stages. The race sets off from Alghero on Friday, May 5. second stage Olbia-Tortoli. Third stage Tortoli-Cagliari. See the full route
MUSIC EVENTS
INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Musica sulle bocche
SANTA TERESA DI GALLURA
23th – 26th AUGUST
The extraordinary scenary of Santa Teresa Gallura will be the cornerstone to many international stars and young talents. Concerts held at sunset and dawn will make a magical atmosphere and unforgettable experience