THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS IN SARDINIA DURING THE YEAR
Sardinia is an island of centuries-old traditions and rituals. Events that recall hundreds of years of history and remain alive with the same strength and faith of a people strongly tied to their origins. Here, celebrations are not only a plunge into the past, with ancient rites such as the Sartiglia di Oristano or the Carnival di Mamoiada, but also an occasion for participation and belonging for entire communities. Each festival is an experience to be lived to the full. Sardinia, a special place all year round.
Every season in Sardinia is a fantastic journey with great events, festivals and fairs… discover the traditions of this thousand-year-old island!
CALENDAR OF THE EVENTS
Sardinia’s most important events month by month
JANUARY
Feast of Sant’Antonio Abate
📅 WHEN: 16-17 Jan
📍 WHERE: Mamoiada (NU)
📝 THE EVENT: The festival marks the beginning of the Sardinian Carnival with the lighting of large bonfires around which the community gathers. In Mamoiada, the Mamuthones and Issohadores, iconic masks that dance in procession around the fire, creating a mystical and evocative atmosphere, make their first annual appearance.
FEBRUARY – MARCH
The festival marks the beginning of the Sardinian Carnival with the lighting of large bonfires around which the community gathers. In Mamoiada, the Mamuthones and Issohadores, iconic masks that dance in procession around the fire, creating a mystical and evocative atmosphere, make their first annual appearance.
🗓️ WHEN: Sunday and Tuesday of Carnival
📍 WHERE: Oristano
📝 THE EVENT:The Sartiglia is the spectacular star race held in Oristano, where Carnival and this ancient tradition are practically inseparable. It is one of the oldest equestrian events in Europe and has been held for over 500 years. In addition to the race to the star, one of the most exciting moments is the pariglie, breathtaking acrobatic displays in which horsemen, standing on their running horses, demonstrate their skill and courage. With its historical costumes, evocative rituals and the adrenalin rush of the competition, the Sartiglia is one of the most spectacular and scenic Carnival events in Sardinia.
👉 Sardinia in March? What to expect if you visit Sardinia in this period
MARCH – APRIL
Easter in Sardinia combines faith and tradition with evocative rituals, such as S’Incontru, the procession of the encounter between the risen Christ and the Madonna. On Easter Monday, with the classic outing in search of typical flavours in agritourisms.
🗓️ WHEN:Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday
📍 WHERE: Alghero
📝 THE EVENT: The rites of Holy Week comprise the religious events organised throughout the week. The most intense ritual is the Good Friday procession when Christ is carried in procession through the streets of the old city. An evocative and intense celebration not to be missed.
The most evocative celebrations of Holy Week also take place in Santu Lussurgiu, Iglesias and Castelsardo.
👉 Is April a good time to visit Sardinia?
MAY
📅 WHEN: 1-4 May
📍WHERE: Cagliari
📝 THE EVENT: It is one of the most spectacular religious processions in Europe, born in 1657 to fulfil a vow made to the saint during a plague epidemic. Thousands of faithful in traditional dress accompany the simulacrum of Sant’Efisio from Cagliari to Nora, passing through towns and breathtaking landscapes in a journey of over 80 km of faith, devotion and folklore.
LA CAVALCATA SARDA (SARDINIA CAVALCADE)
🗓️ WHEN: the penultimate Sunday in May
📍 WHERE: Sassari
📝 THE EVENT: The Cavalcata Sarda is one of the oldest festivals in Sassari. It is an incredible parade of groups from all over Sardinia. People cross the city on foot, on horseback followed by the traccas (the characteristic allegorical floats decorated with flowers). The participants wear the original Sardinian costume of each village often embellished with embroidery and filigree jewellery. The event continues with horses and riders performing acrobatic figures, the classic Pariglie. In Piazza d’Italia, traditional Sardinian songs and dances are performed to the notes of the launeddas.
FEAST OF SAN SIMPLICIO
🗓️ WHEN: 15 May
📍 WHERE: Olbia
📝 THE EVENT: Olbia’s most important festival, dedicated to the patron saint of Gallura, is celebrated with processions and folk shows. The celebrations also include concerts, fireworks and the historic Mussel Festival. Olbia’s manna festival attracts thousands of visitors every year.
👉 May’s most important events and other things to do in Sardinia
JUNE
FEAST OF SAN GIOVANNI
🗓️ WHEN: 24 June
📍 WHERE: Alghero
📝 THE EVENT: The feast of St John the Baptist, patron saint of Alghero, is an event that combines tradition and spirituality. The celebration includes the evocative lighting of St John’s fires on the beach, a symbol of purification and renewal that involves the entire community. Food and wine stalls and concerts mark the actual start of the summer season on the Riviera.
👉 Sardinia in June: between beaches and activities
JULY
S’ARDIA DI SEDILO – S’ARDIA HORSE RACE
🗓️ WHEN: 6th Jul (evening) – 7th Jul (morning)
📍 WHERE: Sedilo (Oristano)
📝 THE EVENT:S’Ardia is a wild horse race in honour of Saint Constantine. It is led by the first rider, called the first pandela, followed by two other riders and his companions. Every year, around 100 horsemen participate in the event. Wild, intense and exciting!
👉 Ideas on what to do in July in Sardinia (and not just the sea!)
AUGUST
LA DISCESA DEI CANDELIERI (CANDLESTICKS PARADE)
🗓️ WHEN: 14th August
📍WHERE: Sassari
📝 THE EVENT: la discesa dei Candelieri la faradda de li candareri) is Sassari’s festha manna. Ancient origins for this festival that dates back as far as the 13th century and has been elected a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Candlestick procession is a rite involving an entire island. A procession in which the bearers of the enormous candles (I candelieri), the gremi and gremianti, Sardinian groups in traditional costume, music, dancing, food and local products take part. Not to be missed!
FERRAGOSTO – AUGUST SUMMER FESTIVALS
🗓️ WHEN: 15th August
📍 WHERE: in the main towns of Sardinia
📝 THE EVENT: The traditional Ferragosto – especially in Sardinia – is the much-awaited event for all Sardinians and tourists. It is the day when summer is celebrated with friends and family. People usually spend the day on boats, having lunch with friends and having parties on the beach. In many places, there is music, singing and dancing all night long. The fireworks display in many beautiful towns in Sardinia cannot be missed at Ferragosto!
FESTIVAL OF REDENTORE
🗓️ WHEN: last sunday of August
📍 WHERE: Nuoro
📝 THE EVENT: The Feast of the Redeemer is the most authentic festival rooted in the culture of central Sardinia. Every year it always sees huge participation from all over the island and the presence of Italian and foreign tourists. This end-of-summer event is for many a unique opportunity to admire the variety and richness of traditional Sardinian costumes and traditional music and food.
👉 Festivals and concerts in August in Sardinia
SEPTEMBER
🗓️ WHEN:every weekend from September to December
📍 WHERE: Orune, Bitti, Orgosolo, Lula, Mamoiada and 30 other small towns around Barbagia
📝 THE EVENT: an incredible cultural and gastronomic tour among more than 30 small towns in the interior of Sardinia. The region of Barbagia – the soul of the island (and land of centenarians) – opens the doors of its cortes to discover ancient arts and crafts, local products and overwhelm you with true hospitality!
👉 Mark these 3 events in Sardinia in September
OCTOBER
FOOD FESTIVALS
🗓️ WHEN: october
📍 WHERE: many towns around Sardinia
📝 THE EVENT: In October, Sardinia comes alive with numerous autumn festivals, celebrating the typical products of the season. Among the most eagerly awaited are the chestnut and wine festivals in Aritzo, the apple festival in Ussassai, and the bread festival in Villaurbana. These events combine food and wine, local traditions, offering an immersion in the flavours of the island.
👉 7 Reasons why September and October are ideal months in Sardinia
NOVEMBER
FEAST OF SAN MARTINO
🗓️ WHEN: 11th November
📍 WHERE: Sanluri
📝 THE EVENT: Sanluri celebrates San Martino with a solemn procession and a big party in the streets of the village. In the preceding days, the fave festival is held, a symbolic dish cooked in large cauldrons with aniseed, dried tomatoes, garlic and pork rind. The event also includes civraxiu bread, typical sweets, concerts and the lighting of bonfires at various points in the village.
DICEMBER
🗓️ WHEN: 25th Dicember / 3st Dicember
📍 WHERE: many towns around Sardinia
📝 THE EVENT: Christmas in Sardinia is celebrated with living nativity scenes and traditional Christmas rituals. Each town has its own events, such as artistic nativity scenes and Christmas fairs throughout the island. On New Year’s Eve, cities come alive with concerts by the greatest Italian artists and fireworks to welcome in the New Year in style!
👉 What do you do on New Year’s Eve? The most important festivities in Sardinia
Sardinia’s most important events month by month
January – Feast of Sant’Antonio Abate (various villages in Sardinia)
February/March – Sardinian Carnival + Sartiglia (Oristano)
March/April – Holy Week (various towns in Sardinia)
May – Feast of Sant’Efisio (Cagliari) – Sardinian Ride (Sassari) – San Simplicio (Olbia)
June – Feast of Saint John (Alghero)
July – Ardia of Sedilo (Sedilo)
August – The Descent of the Candlesticks (Sassari) – Festival of the Redeemer (Nuoro)
September – Autumn in Barbagia (cultural and gastronomic itinerary in Barbagia)
October – Chestnut and Wine Festival (Aritzo)
November – Festival of San Martino and Fair of broad beans (Sanluri)
December – Christmas and New Year Concerts (various villages in Sardinia)