> JANUARY
- S. ANTONIO ABATE FIRES
Mamoiada (Nu), Orosei (Nu), Torpè (Nu) and in most villages in the Nuoro province – 16-17
A Pre-Christian festival which culminates in the lighting of big bonfires that burn all night, after religious rites and the blessing of the fire.
> FEBRUARY
Traditional Carnivals
- Samugheo (Or)
Mamutzones (men) dressed in goat’s skins, tall cork hats with big horns on top, cowbells hanging from their bodies and faces painted black. They dance around s’Urtzu, a character who is half goat and half man, and su ‘Omadore tortures him until he is sacrificed. - Ottana (Nu)
The Carnival masks are evidence of timeless rites and cultural traditions and hold us spellbound with their mystery. - Bosa (Nu)
Carnival takes place along the Karrasegare streets. Bosa puts on its Sunday best and is more beautiful than ever. On Shrove Tuesday there is “s’Attidu”: hired mourners raise an old funeral lament for the dying Carnival. - Orotelli (Nu)
Discover this Carnival through the blackened faces of sos thurpos. - Barbagia of Ollolai (Nu)
This Carnival maintains old traditions. S’urthu and Narcisu at Fonni, Zizzarrone at Gavoi, Don Conte at Ovodda are some of the masks. - Santulussurgiu (Or)
Sa carrela’ e nanti: this is a daring horse race where masked riders dash along the roads of the town centre. - LA SARTIGLIA
Oristano – last Sunday in Carnival and the following Thursday
It is a tournament on horseback where riders show their skill by trying to pierce a star, which hangs above the street, using a sword or a carved wooden stick.
> MARCH
Traditional Carnival
- Ovodda (Nu), Ash Wednesday
“Don Conte’s” trial and his burning at the stake.
> APRIL
Holy week rites
- Cagliari
Passion and Holy Week rites.
Ancient religious rites and sacred rituals which take place in the churches and along the streets of the city centre, recalling old traditions. - Castelsardo
The sacred rites are particularly dramatic and fascinating. Traditional moving melodies. - Alghero
Evocative rituals of Spanish origin. - Cuglieri, Santulussurgiu, Scano Montiferro (OR) – Sarule (NU) Iscravementu: the symbolic raising of the cross dramatically represents the Crucifixion of Christ.
- Oliena, Orosei (NU) – Easter Day
S’incontru (the Meeting). The symbolic representation of the meeting between the Virgin Mary and the risen Christ. - SA DIE DE SA SARDIGNA (Sardinia’s day)
Cagliari and other Sardinian towns – 28.
Commemoration of the Sardinian Vespers, the popular rebellion which took place on April 28th, 1794, and led to the banishment of the Piedmontese and the Viceroy Balbiano from Cagliari and Sardinia.
> MAY
- FESTIVAL OF SANT’EFISIO
Cagliari, Nora – 1-4
This is the most important and spectacular procession in the Mediterranean area. Hundreds of pilgrims from all over Sardinia come to Cagliari to honour Sant’Efisio. They wear their village’s traditional costumes and parade along the streets.
There are dozens of riders, traditional decorated oxen carts (traccas), confraternities and militiamen who take the place of the ancient Island guards. In the evening, shows and folk music concerts are held in different parts of the city. The Festival of Sant’Efisio goes back to 1656. Every year since then, the procession has been held on the 1st of May. - S. Francesco
Lula (NU) – 1-10
Rural folk festival, traditional food, horse parade. - S. Mauro
Sorgono (NU) – 26
Rural folk festival: music, sports, games. - Our Lady of the Sea
Orosei (NU) – Last Sunday in the month
Procession at sea, costumes, folk traditions, music.
> JUNE
- The Cherry Festival
Burcei (CA) – Villacidro (CA) - S. Giovanni
in many Sardinian villages – 24
Fireworks at night and horse races. In Bauladu (OR) and Milis (OR) there is a festival called “Sagra della pecora” (“The Sheep Festival”); you can eat boiled sheep in the town squares.
A festival called “Ardia” takes place in Paulilatino (OR). In Bonarcado (OR) there is a race where horses are ridden bareback along the village streets.
> JULY
- S’ARDIA
Sedilo (OR) – 6,7
A unique horse race which is held every year in honour of San Costantino. The route around the Sanctuary is difficult and dangerous, and the race sometimes becomes extremely violent. The fury of the horses startled by the gun shots, the riders’ courage, the stifling July heat, the dust and the multitude of people who crowd the place, make Ardia a very exciting and unforgettable experience. - SCIAMPITTA
QUARTU S.ELENA (CA)
An international exhibition of folk traditions.
> AUGUST
- HISTORICAL MEDIEVAL PARADE
Iglesias (CA)-13
Parade with men and women in traditional costumes dating from the period of Conte Ugolino della Gherardesca’s dominion. Crossbow competition. - FESTA DELL’ASSUNTA E PALIO DI SANTA MARIA
Guasila (CA) – 14-15
On the 14th local single men compete to trap a heifer. This is a ritual of Spanish origin which is known as S’Acchixedda (small heifer). The day after, the “Palio di Santa Maria” (horse race) takes place. - I CANDELIERI
Nulvi (SS) – 14
Charming parade (Sa Essida) of the three “candelieri” (huge church candles) from Nulvi, which are the symbol of the Shepherds’ and Farmers’ Guilds; its fascination remains the same after seven centuries. - LA FARADDA DI LI CANDARERI
Sassari – 14
Every year, on the 14th of August (the day before Ferragosto), the “Gremi” (the old craft guilds) race down the crowded streets of Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Corso Vico, carrying huge wooden “candelieri”(candles). Spontaneous popular festival linked to religious beliefs. - I CANDELIERI AND THE FEAST OF ASSUNTA (ASSUMPTION)
Iglesias – 15 - L’ASSUNTA (ASSUMPTION)
Orgosolo (NU) – 15
Procession in traditional costumes, horse-races, games, folk traditions. - SANT’IGNAZIO DA LACONI
Laconi (NU) – Last week in the month
Religious procession, costumes, folk traditions, games, sport. - SS. REDENTORE
Nuoro – 29
Traditional costumes, horses, traccas (decorated carts), handicrafts, folk traditions. There also is a tenor competition featuring ancient traditional Sardinian songs.
> SEPTEMBER
- S. SALVATORE, THE SHOELESS MEN RUN
Cabras (OR) – 3
A 500- year-old rite. A group of young men re-enact the age long fight against the Saracens. - SANTA GRECA
Decimomannu (CA) – Last Sunday in the month
Rural festival with food, games and music.
> OCTOBER
- THE CHESTNUT FESTIVAL
Aritzo (NU) – last Sunday in the month
Costume parade, shows, food and wine tasting.
> NOVEMBER
- MOUNTAIN PRODUCTS
Desulo (NU) – 1-3-4-5
An agro-industrial and handicraft exhibition, meetings, literary prizes, traditional music, painting exhibition. There is a literary competition (“Sa murra”) for poets who write in Sardinian and an “istrumpa” competition. - SANT’ANTIOCO DI BISARCIO
Ozieri (SS) – 13
Festival in honour of the patron Saint Antioco, at the old Basilica (1150); sacred rites with hymns in Sardinian and the original Gosos of Sant’Antiogu. - N.S. DELLE GRAZIE FEAST
Nuoro – 21
Religious procession with votive candles, costume parade and songs.
> DECEMBER
- “SIGNUM JUDICII”
Alghero (SS) – 24
On Christmas Eve, a traditional medieval chant takes place in Alghero’s Cathedral. The ancient Sibyl chant, whose origins are lost in time, is still authentically reproduced only in Palma de Majorca and Alghero. - “SA PERTUSITTA”, “SA ZUADA” AND “SU CABUE” FEASTS
Bultei (SS) – 30
Solemn mass, traditional choirs from Goceano. During this festival the traditional local bread, which represents sheperds culture, is blessed