Cavalcata sarda in Sassari: the feast of beauty
The Cavalcata Sarda of Sassari – along with the Descent of the Candlesticks and the Feast of Sant’ Efisio in Cagliari – is one of the most important events in Sardinia. If you decided to visit Sardinia in May, this is the perfect month to experience this wonderful island and not to miss unique events full of charm and colour that take place in the beautiful month of May.
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When is the Sardinian Cavalcade in 2026?
The Cavalcata Sarda of Sassari – the only secular festival in Sardinia – is celebrated every year on the penultimate Sunday of May. This year, it will take place on Sunday, May 17.
Sassari comes alive ahead of time with “Aspettando la Cavalcata Sarda” (Waiting for the Cavalcata Sarda). A packed schedule of events and entertainment will keep the city buzzing right up to the main event on Sunday.
What is it the CAVALCATA SARDA?
A beautiful festival, with a parade of 2000 people representing the traditions of Sardinia, 200 horsemen and many folk groups.
Nothing is left to chance, the whole town prepares to create a welcoming and colorful event.
The scene comes alive with the triumph of traditional Sardinian attire: a parade of precious, hand-stitched garments arriving from every corner of the island. Embellishing the fabrics are handcrafted jewels – ancient and refined – shining amidst folk songs and dances. While majestic horses and floats parade through the city streets, the spectacle moves to the racecourse for the legendary Cavalcata, where the riders’ skill explodes into breathtaking acrobatics and daring pariglie.
A festival for the people, with historical origins. It was created in 1899 to pay homage to King Victor Emmanuel I during his visit to Sassari. Since then it has continued its tradition and is now held for the 75th time.
The Sardinian Cavalcade in numbers
- 75° edition
- 65/70 Folk groups from all over Sardinia
- 2000 participants
- 200+ knights and amazons divided into 20/22 groups
- 18 Pairs on horseback
- 230+ food stalls
Program highlights of the Cavalcata Sarda 2026: friday, saturday, sunday
The main events of the weekend dedicated to the Cavalcata Sarda
Friday, May 15th, 2026
The city begins to breathe in the festive atmosphere with events dedicated to children and artisanal culture:
- Afternoon (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM): The Children’s Parade, departing from Piazza Santa Caterina. Hundreds of young participants in traditional dress and Sardinian masks will march through the city center streets (organized by the Maria Carta Foundation).
- All Day: Opening of market areas and craft workshops, including demonstrations of traditional shirt-making and embroidery.
- Piazza Castello: Inauguration of the “Salude & Trigu” village, featuring food and wine tasting trails.
Saturday, May 16th, 2026
Saturday is characterized by technical events related to the world of horses and the first major musical performances:
- Morning (from 10:00 AM): At the “Pinna” Municipal Racecourse, demonstrations of blacksmithing and shoeing for racing and saddle horses.
- Afternoon: The “Caddhos” (Horses) event at the Racecourse, featuring equestrian displays in preparation for the pariglie.
- Evening (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM): In Piazza d’Italia, the folk festival “Sounds, Dances, and Voices of Sardinia,” hosted by Giuliano Marongiu, featuring performances by dozens of folk groups and tenores from all over the island.
Sunday, May 17th, 2026 (The Big Day)
The climax of the entire celebration:
- Morning (9:00 AM): The grand Cavalcata Sarda Parade. Starting from Via Asproni, the procession winds through the heart of Sassari (Via Roma, Piazza d’Italia, Portici Bargone e Crispo, Via Cagliari). Over 2,000 participants on foot, traccas (decorated ox-drawn wagons), and hundreds of riders representing about 60 Sardinian municipalities will take part.
- Afternoon (3:30 PM – 6:00 PM): The Pariglie take place at the “Pinna” Municipal Racecourse. Spectators can witness spectacular and daring horseback acrobatics performed at a full gallop, organized by the Società Ippica Sassarese.
- Evening (6:00 PM – Midnight): Grand Finale in Piazza d’Italia with the continuation of the traditional songs and dances festival, involving the entire square in a massive final ballo tondo (round dance).
Logistics Note: Throughout Sunday, Food & Beverage areas will be active in Piazza d’Armi, alongside commercial zones in Via Cavour and the public gardens.
Additional Information
- The event is organized by the Municipality of Sassari.
- The Cavalcata Sarda is the largest secular festival in Sardinia and takes place every year on the penultimate Sunday of May.
- The parade route winds through the historic city center, culminating in Piazza d’Italia.
Discover the soul of Sardinia: why you must experience the Cavalcata Sarda
Attending the Cavalcata Sarda means experiencing one of the most powerful cultural expressions of Sardinia. Over two thousand participants in traditional costumes from across the island and hundreds of horse riders parade through the streets of Sassari, offering a unique spectacle of color, music, and tradition.
This event, combining parades, horseback acrobatics (pariglie), and showcases of traditional songs and dances, allows visitors to immerse themselves in a vibrant and authentic cultural heritage. The entire city becomes an open-air museum, full of life and history.
The celebration begins in the morning from Corso Francesco Cossiga, with a procession led by the marching band, the mounted Carabinieri, the Gremio dei Massai, and traditional drummers. The parade features over two hundred riders and amazons on horseback.
Sardinian costumes take center stage, with 120 women wearing traditional dresses that vary from village to village. Each costume is distinguished by its own unique features, details, and colors—just like the Sardinian dialects, each with their own distinct tone and richness.
The afternoon at the racecourse of Pinna is dedicated to the Pariglie, where the bravest Sardinian riders perform spectacular acrobatics on running horses.
In the evening, from 6 pm in Piazza d’Italia, the sounds of launeddas, tenores and accordion songs will close the festival.
All the folk groups at the Parade
Walking Folk Groups (By Territory)
- Sassari: Gruppo Inoria Bande, Ass. “Città di Sassari”, “San Nicola”, “Thatari”, “Santa Caterina”.
- Gallura e Anglona: Aggius, Alghero (Sant Miquel), Castelsardo, Monti (San Paolo), Olbia (Olbiese), Tempio Pausania.
- Goceano e Logudoro: Benetutti, Bono (G.M. Angioy), Bonnanaro, Bortigali, Burgos, Ozieri, Pattada (Santa Sabina), Ploaghe (San Salvatore).
- Nuorese e Barbagia: Bitti (Sas Prennas), Bolotana, Dorgali (Tiscali), Fonni (Brathallos), Nuoro (Nugoresas), Oliena (Su Gologone), Ollolai (Balladores), Orune, Sarule.
- Oristanese: Cabras (Gli Scalzi), Ghilarza (Su Carruzu), Oristano (Città di Oristano), Paulilatino, Samugheo (San Sebastiano), Seneghe.
- Sud Sardegna e Campidano: Iglesias, Maracalagonis, Quartu Sant’Elena (Su Idanu), Selargius (Fedora Putzu), Sestu (I Nuraghi), Villasalto.
- Ogliastra: Tortolì (Sant’Anna), Urzulei, Villagrande Strisaili (San Gabriele).
Ancient and Traditional Masks
- Mamoiada: Mamuthones e Issohadores (Gruppo Atzeni).
- Ottana: Boes e Merdules.
- Orotelli: Thurpos.
- Samugheo: Mamutzones.
- Austis: Sos Colonganos.
Knights and Amazons
- Pattada, Osilo, Abbasanta, Bonorva, Ittiri, Pozzomaggiore e Santu Lussurgiu.
- Chiudono le Traccas (carri agricoli addobbati a festa) trainati dai buoi.
Folk Performances in Piazza d’Italia
Please note that many of these groups, along with choral ensembles such as the Tenores di Orgosolo or the Cantadores, will perform on the Piazza d’Italia stage on Saturday evening (6:00 PM) and Sunday evening (6:00 PM) for the traditional song and dance festival.
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Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on the official program of the 75th edition of the Cavalcata Sarda. Dates, times, and schedules are subject to change by the organizing bodies; therefore, we always recommend consulting the official channels of the Municipality of Sassari or the Sardegna Foundation for last-minute updates.
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