Every year at the end of August, Nuoro becomes the stage for the island’s most identity-defining folk festival. It’s called the Sagra del Redentore, but calling it simply a “festival” almost undersells it: it’s a week of parades, tenor singing, horses, faith and thousands of people who travel from every corner of Sardinia not to miss it.
The 2026 Redentore in Nuoro runs from August 22 to 29, with the main day on Sunday, August 23, and the spiritual close on Saturday the 29th on Monte Ortobene. You can take the chance to explore Barbagia in the days that follow. It’s probably the most authentic experience for truly understanding Sardinian culture.
Dates and the 2026 programme
The 126th edition runs from August 22 to 29, 2026. The programme opens on Saturday, August 22, with “I riti de su carrasecàre“: a torchlight procession and parade of the traditional carnival masks of the Barbagia region, followed in the evening by roaming music in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele.
The main day remains Sunday, August 23, with “Il cammino del Redentore“ (the Redeemer’s Walk): the grand parade of traditional Sardinian costumes, with thousands of participants from dozens of towns across the island, followed at noon by the parade of horsemen and horsewomen in full dress uniform, and by the solemn blessing given by the Bishop of Nuoro at the Cathedral.
The week continues with the Regional Folklore Festival, evenings of poetry, music and Sardinian culture, closing on Saturday, August 29, with the most intimate and spiritual moment: the dawn pilgrimage up to Monte Ortobene, where the statue of Christ the Redeemer stands, followed by the Solemn Mass celebrated at the foot of the monument.
📅 The 2026 programme
🎭 Saturday, August 22 – 6:00 PM
Parade of Sardinia’s traditional masks: the Mamuthones and Issohadores of Mamoiada, the Boes e Merdules of Ottana, the Sos Colonganos of Austis and more. In the evening, roaming music and a recital by Piero Marras in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele.
👗 Sunday, August 23 – the main day
- 10:00 AM – “Il Cammino del Redentore”: the grand parade of traditional costumes with folk groups from over 50 Sardinian towns
- 12:00 PM – Parade of horsemen and horsewomen, escorted by the Carabinieri’s mounted corps
- 1:00 PM – Solemn blessing at the Cathedral
- 6:00 PM – Regional Folklore Festival, closing the day in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele
🎶 Evenings in Piazza Satta
- August 24 – Cantu a chiterra singing competition
- August 25 – Concert by Moses Concas & Band
- August 26 – “A Bolu”, improvised poetry competition
🎬 August 28 Screening of the film about Grazia Deledda at the Chiesa della Solitudine.
⛰️ Saturday, August 29 – the grand finale
- 6:00 AM – Religious pilgrimage on foot from the Cathedral to Monte Ortobene
- 11:00 AM – Solemn Mass at the foot of the statue of the Redeemer, celebrated by Mons. Antonello Mura
🍢 Throughout the week, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele hosts a food truck area dedicated to Sardinian street food, while the city also hosts the International Nuoro Jazz Festival lineup.
Why it’s worth going
The festival was born in the early 1900s to celebrate the placement of the bronze statue of the Redeemer atop Monte Ortobene, in 1901. Since then it has become the biggest showcase of Sardinian folklore: here you get an up-close look at the traditional costumes of towns that normally never come together in one place, you hear tenor singing (a UNESCO heritage), and you breathe an atmosphere that blends popular devotion with a town-square party. It’s not an event designed for tourists: it’s Sardinia celebrating itself!
Practical tips
- How to get there: Nuoro has no airport or direct train station. It’s best to fly into Olbia or Cagliari and drive from there (about 1h15 from Olbia, 2h from Cagliari).
- Where to park: during the August 23 parade, the city center is closed to traffic. It’s best to leave your car on the outskirts and reach the center on foot or via the shuttles organized by the municipality.
- What to bring: a hat and water for the morning parade (it gets hot), and comfortable shoes: you’ll walk a lot, and some areas are uphill.
- The pilgrimage on the 29th: it starts very early, often before dawn. Anyone wanting to take part should get organized the night before.
Where to stay in Nuoro and the surrounding area
During Redentore week, accommodations fill up fast: booking well in advance is almost a must. Convenient areas: the historic center (a short walk from the parades) or the countryside toward Ortobene, quieter and more scenic.
👉 Search hotels and B&Bs in Nuoro for the Redentore dates
Getting around: car rental
For those arriving by plane, having a rental car is almost essential: it lets you reach Nuoro comfortably and explore Barbagia in the days after the festival (Orgosolo, the murals, the Supramonte, Oliena).
🚗 Compare car rental prices in Sardinia for the month of August — it’s best to book at least 4-6 weeks ahead, as availability drops quickly during peak season.
⇢ Car rental prices in Sardinia
What to do in the area beyond the festival
The Barbagia region around Nuoro is worth a few extra days:
- Monte Ortobene: woodland, scenic viewpoints and the statue of the Redeemer, accessible even outside festival days.
- Orgosolo: famous for its socially and politically themed murals, half an hour by car from Nuoro.
- Su Gologone and the Su Gorropu gorge, among the most spectacular canyons in Europe, for trekking lovers.
- Sardinian Ethnographic Museum (ISRE): to learn more about the costumes and traditions seen during the parade.
🥾 Book guided tours and excursions in Barbagia (trekking, the Orgosolo murals, tastings) — hand-picked activities with free cancellation.
⚠️ Disclaimer: The programme is subject to change by the organizers: always check updated times and routes on the official channels of the Municipality of Nuoro before you travel. This article also contains affiliate links (hotels, car rentals, tours and experiences): if you book through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
