Nothing compares to Sardinia when it comes to amazing landscapes and breath-taking sea view. But what about events and festivals? Is there any event worth mentioning?
Of course, there are many of them; let’s look at the main Sardinian events for 2018 divided by month so it’s easier for you readers to choose which event to attend and when.
Sa Sartiglia This year this prominent equestrian event is going to take place in February in Oristano. More on this event on the dedicated page of our blog: Sa Sartiglia Starts: February 11 2018 Ends: February 13 2018
Oristano Sardinia 09170
March
Chocolate Festival (Festa del cioccolato) The Chocolate Festival is a cultural event that tries and popularise the culture of the artisan chocolate and the art of its workmanship. Starts: March 01 2018 Ends: March 04 2018
Alghero Sardinia 07041
Sea urchin Festival (Rassegna del riccio del mare – Bogamarì) The fishing of the sea urchin (called “Bogamarì” in Catalan) and its festival is a long-awaited tradition not only by the Alghero inhabitants and by tourists. Starts: March 01 2018 Ends: March 30 2018
Alghero Sardinia 07041
April
The Holy Week in Alghero Alghero is also popular for the rituals remembering the Crucifixion with a mix of Italian and Catalan traditions. Starts: March 25 2018 Ends: April 02 2018
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American motors festival 2018 The American motors festival 2018 held in the harbour of Alghero is an international event for American cars (like the classic Cadillac or the more modern muscle car, hot rod and dragsters) and motorcycles. Starts: April 7 2018 Ends: April 8 2018
Alghero Sardinia 07041
Rally Terra Sarda This is the 7th edition of the Rally Terra Sarda also known as Rally d’Ogliastra as it takes place in the province of Ogliastra (east coast of Sardinia) usually in the nearby villages of Lanusei, Tortolì, Urzulei, Bari Sardo and more. Starts: April 14 2018 Ends: April 15 2018
Province of Ogliastra Sardinia 08040
Festa di Sant’Antioco Martire The festival of Sant’Antioco is one of the most important events of the island that embodies tradition, folklore, faith, food and entertainment. Sant’Antioco is the patron saint of Sardinia. Starts: April 14 2018 Ends: April 16 2018
Sant’Antioco (Carbonia-Iglesias province) Sardinia 09017
May
The festival of Sant’Efisio A colorful parade going through the streets of Cagliari and surrounded by beautifully dressed attendants. Starts: May 01 2018 Ends: May 04 2018
Cagliari Sardinia 09010
Festa di San Simplicio One of the most important events in Olbia, the “Festa di San Simplicio” represents an appointment deeply felt by the citizens of this town: this festival includes dress parades, poetry and songs in Sardinian language and local gastronomy. Not to be missed the fireworks show at night. Starts: May 15 2017 Ends: May 15 2017
Olbia (Olbia-Tempio) Sardinia 07026
The Cavalcata Sarda The Cavalcata Sarda is a parade held in Sassari and organized to celebrate the visit to the city of Sassari of King Umberto I. Starts: May 20 2018 Ends: May 20 2018
Sassari Sardinia 07100
GiroTonno The GiroTonno event is basically an international culinary competition held in the island of San Pietro in the southwest of Sardinia where gastronomes promote the local ancient tradition of the “tonnare” (tuna traps). Starts: May 24 2018 Ends: May 27 2018
Carloforte (San Pietro island) Sardinia 09014
June
Rally Italia Sardegna 2018 WRC The Italian round of the International Rally WRC will be held once again for the fourth year in a row in Sardinia from 7 to 10 June 2018. Do not miss this opportunity to attend the Rally in this amazing island. Starts: June 07 2018 Ends: June 10 2018
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Bosa wine Festival The 5th edition of the Bosa Wine Festival is a food and wine event dedicated to the best Sardinian and national products. Bosa is located in the province of Oristano, in the west coast of central Sardinia. Starts: June 09 2018 Ends: June 10 2018
Bosa (Oristano) Sardinia 08013
Rally Parco Geominerario The 2018 edition of the “Rally Parco Geominerario” will take place across the old mines and industrial sites of the province of the Medio Campidano and the villages of Arbus, Guspini and Montevecchio. Starts: June 23 2018 Ends: June 24 2018
Arbus, Guspini, Montevecchio Sardinia 08040
Feast of St Giovanni (Focs de Sant Joan) This event is held each year in Alghero on the St Giovanni beach; it is a feast that celebrates the beginning of the summer, the friendship and brotherhood with its famous fires (called Focs in Catalan). Friends (must be dressed in white) who want to seal their friendship are invited to the propitiatory Jump of the Fire (Salto del Fuoco) on the beach. Starts: June 22 2018 Ends: June 24 2018
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Alghero International beach soccer The national teams of Brazil, France, Italy and Switzerland will compete in the first “Trofeo Città di Alghero” for 3 days. Starts: June 29 2018 Ends: July 01 2018
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July
S’Ardia A wild horse ride made in honour of Saint Constantine (with 100 knights), which takes place every year on July 6 and is repeated on the morning of July 7; this horse ride remembers the battle of the “Milvian Bridge” between Constantine and Maxentius. Starts: July 06 2018 Ends: July 07 2018
Sedilo (Oristano) Sardinia 09076
Sting Summer Tour 2018 Sting will perform in Santa Margherita di Pula (Cagliari province) in the Forte Arena the open-air theatre of Forte Village Resort. Starts: July 26 2018 Ends: July 26 2018
Santa Margherita di Pula (Cagliari) Sardinia 09010
August
Time in Jazz Berchidda (located in the province of Sassari) and the neighbouring villages are hosting the most important Jazz event in Sardinia and one of the most important in Italy. This is the 30th edition of the festival: a lot of special guests are attending (Andy Sheppard, Chicago Art Ensemble, Markus Stockhausen and more) coordinated by the founder Paolo Fresu. Starts: August 08 2018 Ends: August 16 2018
Berchidda Sardinia 07022
Calici di stelle 2018 This is the most awaited summer event by wine lovers: it takes place on the night of San Lorenzo (10 August) in Sennori (province of Sassari) where you can taste the fine wine produced by the local wineries in Sennori and Romangia and taste the delicacies and the typical gastronomy of the Sardinian tradition while listening to great music on the streets. Do not forget to take your serigraphed glass with its little bag. Moreover, the local astrophile amateur association organises stars gazing with telescopes at night. The same festival takes place on the 9 of August in Dorgali (province of Nuoro) where you can taste the wine produced by the local wineries. Starts: August 09 2018 Ends: August 10 2018
Dorgali and Sennori Sardinia 07036
Faradda di li candareri – Descent of the Candelieri “Candelieri” means Candle bearers: in this parade locals carry large candles representing the different Sassari districts they belong to. This is a huge and popular event held in Sassari which we covered earlier in the Descent of the Candelieri blog post. Starts: August 14 2018 Ends: August 14 2018
Sassari Sardinia 07100
Sagra del Redentore “Il Redentore” is a traditional festival (with religious and folklore events) held in Nuoro during the last Sunday in August. Not to be missed the parades of masks and costumes typical of Sardinia. Starts: August 26 2018 Ends: August 26 2018
Nuoro Sardinia 08100
September
Autunno in Barbagia A popular event where 32 Sardinian villages (among them Bitti, Oliena, Dorgali, Fonni) open their doors to tourists who want to explore the history, the culture and the most authentic traditions of the island. Find out the complete villages list. Starts: September 1 2017 Ends: December 17 2017
Ottana, Orotelli, Oniferi, Ortueri Sardinia 08100
Sant Miquel Alghero (Festival of Saint Michael) – dates to be confirmed The feast of “Sant Miquel” is celebrated each year during the last weekend of September with a 12-day festival in honour of St. Michael the patron saint of the city. This celebration used to mark the culmination of the summer season in Alghero; as of today it has become more a must see for visitors with its games, music and many events. Starts: September 21 2017 Ends: October 02 2017
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October
FISW Surf Games 2017 The amazing Capo Mannu in Sardinia has been chosen as the location for the 2017 FISW Surf Games consisting of 4 different competitions (Shortboard, Longboard, Sup wave and Bodyboard). Capo Mannu is located near San Vero Milis in the Province of Oristano and is known among the surfers for its stunning waves. Starts: October 14 2017 Ends: October 15 2017
Capo Mannu (San Vero Milis, Province of Oristano) Sardinia 09070
Cronoscalata Alghero – Scala Piccada The popular time trial automobile race (56th edition this year) usually takes place at the end of October; the 5-km race starts from Alghero and ends in Villanova Monteleone (province of Sassari). Both historic and new car models may participate. Starts: October 28 2017 Ends: October 29 2017
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December
Cap’Any 2018 Christmas and New Year’s Eve are not to be missed in Alghero: as usual the city will salute the new year with the amazing fireworks show that will take place in the harbour area. Starts: December 31 2017 Ends: January 01 2018
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New Year’s Eve in Olbia New Year’s Eve in the Olbia harbour with the show of the popular Italian singer J-AX preceded by a mythological spectacle titled “Zoè-the principle of life” a theatrical representation of the man-nature relationship with the use of lights and pyrotechnic effects. Starts: December 31 2017 Ends: January 01 2017
Olbia Sardinia 07026
New Year’s Eve in Cagliari New Year’s Eve in Cagliari with the popular singer Malika Ayane. Starts: December 31 2017 Ends: January 01 2017
Cagliari Sardinia 09121
JazzAlguer JazzAlguer is a series of jazz concerts and other events that will take place monthly (mostly on Saturdays) until July, in different popular places of Alghero like the church of San Francesco, the Civic Theatre and the Cathedral. Starts: December 23 2017 Ends: July 21 2018
Alghero Sardinia 07041