The 19 most important events in Sardinia in 2024

Just by pronouncing the word Sardinia we can imagine beautiful nature, breathtaking landscapes, crystal clear seas and heavenly beaches. Sardinia, however, has much more to offer than its natural beauty: the culture, history and traditions of Sardinia have ancient origins, deep-rooted in its territory.

Every corner of this beautiful island, from inland to coastal villages, preserves unique and precious creeds and customs that cannot wait to be discovered. Let's explore the heart of this land in order to discover the local wonders and the 19 most important events in Sardinia: from music to food, from tradition to folklore, from art to natural heritage, from religious to sport events.

Salude & Trigu means 'health and grain': it is a traditional wish for well-being and abundance. It is a rich programme of events offered by the Sassari Chamber of Commerce that includes the territories of the two northern Sardinian provinces: Sassari and Olbia-Tempio. It is the best way to discover the most important events in Sardinia in an authentic and fantastic way.  

From this wish, the brand of Salude & Trigu originated as the main programme of events in Sardinia: a cultural thread that unites the places of North Sardinia and the people that here dwell and travel, enclosed within one excellent plot.

The concepts of union, interweaving, gratitude and exchange are essential in the Sardinian culture: the Sardinian basket, a symbol of an ancient tradition, represents the container par excellence. Still, it is also made up of weaves of beautiful colours and designs.

And so that basket has become the symbol of Salude & Trigu: a container for events in Sardinia, traditions, souls, places and people, but also a place for the exchange of knowledge and experiences.

Domos Abbeltas is the most important event in the village of Luras, Gallura. It is similar to the famous Cortes Apertas in Barbagia. It sees various 'domos' (houses) in the centre of the village open their doors to host a two-day event dedicated to local culture and traditions. The protagonists are food and wine and the best of handicrafts and art, and there will be no lack of side events. The event takes place every year in the middle of June, between the end of the spring and the beginning of summertime.

The charming event Cavart - Extrazioni Culturali takes place in June and July in the beautiful former quarry of Su Giardinu in Monteleone Rocca Doria: an event organized to enhance the territory and the Sardinian tradition of blues music. During these warm days you will be able to attend an all-around musical journey that ranges from traditional Sardinian choirs to indie experiments.

It is an event involving almost all the municipalities of Gallura that enhances the regional, archaeological, agribusiness, artisanal traditions and everything related to rural culture through activities and events organized by local players. Primavera in Gallura (Spring in Gallura) attracts many tourists from all over the world, truly connecting Gallura’s global spirit to the value of local culture.

In the beautiful city of Alghero, the so-called "Sardinian Barceloneta", you can attend a series of amazing concerts organized within the musical event Jazz Alguer, one of the most popular events in the Italian jazz scene. For this edition, the beautiful Nuraghe Palmavera will be used as a stage. In addition to great music, you will have the chance to discover this wonderful fortress city that offers Catalan suggestions in architecture and urban features. 

The Sagra della Cipolla (Onion Festival) of Banari is an event inspired by criteria of sustainability and enhancement of the value of the territory, both for the products sold and for the structures that host the exhibition. Among the streets of Banari you can taste the typical dishes based on onions (but not only!), by attending culinary competitions and by participating in folkloric musical events. The onions of Banari are big, sweet and tasty, a real delicacy you really must try!

The Ciogghitta d'Oro is one of the most representative events of Sassari's folklore: for more than ten years this extremely original event attracts tourists and locals in the city squares to witness the "sucking of snails". During these days you can attend competitions of "succidatura" (sucking) of the delicious gastropod and taste the traditional dishes in a context of popular festival with dialect music and theatre performances.

From the union between Jazz, Green, Music and Landscape originates one of the most famous music events in Europe, the Festival Musica sulle Bocche (Music on the Mouths). This amazing event is itinerant, a real "caravan" in motion with the mission to bring good music throughout the territory of northern Sardinia combined with a great commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation. Musica sulle Bocche mix the local dimension (in fact, many places where the concerts take place will be beautiful archaeological sites) and an international relevance since the event is linked to a network of national and international jazz-themed shows.

The town of Uri isn’t far from Alghero and from the famous tourist location Porto Torres, is a delightful settlement rich in charm and history. Since 1700 Uri has been known for its artichoke production and today the Sagra del Carciofo (Artichoke Festival) generates a sense of belonging in the community and also an important tourist attraction that allows the village to show up all over the word for its enogastronomic traditions. During the event you can attend dances and songs of the Urese tradition, folk groups, parades in traditional clothes and guided tours to discover historical wonders such as the Nuraghe of Santa Cadrina and the ancient washhouse.

Every year is celebrated the Festa della Montagna (Mountain Festival) on the slopes of Mount Limbara, under the majestic sequoias, organized by the Pro Loco (association for the enhancement of the territory) for the days of August 14 and 15. Hikers, onlookers, tourists and locals gather under the leafy trees to listen to folk music played on the traditional accordion, taste delicious local food such as malloreddus, porcetto allo spiedo (pig in spit), seadas (sweet) and "frisjoli longhi" (fried sweet) in an atmosphere of community celebration that forward inclusion and friendship

The Premio Maria Carta (Maria Carta Award) intends to enhance not only the value of local artists, but also of scholars, researchers, associations, companies and all kinds of excellence in the territory. This cultural event is more important because it takes place one year in Siligo and another year in a national or European location. This helps promote Sardinia's historical and cultural heritage outside the island.

The Festival Internazionale delle Isole che Parlano (International Festival of Talking Islands) takes place mainly in Palau with some other events in adjacent locations. This is an event dedicated to tradition and innovation where you will see expressions of contemporary culture combined with native productions. You will be able to attend various photographic exhibitions, workshops for children, reportages and music events, all located in sites of great scenic impact such as the Tombs of the Giants and the Bear Rock: the Islands will speak a language of art and beauty that you will find unforgettable. 

If you want to attend a real traditional Sardinian religious event you cannot miss the Festa della Beata Vergine della Difesa (Feast of the Blessed Virgin of Défense): a procession will carry the simulacrum of Holy Mary to the sea, which will be loaded onto a fleet of boats of Stintino fishermen. They will lay a laurel wreath at sea in honor of those killed at sea during the Second World War. During this event, each inhabitant of the village will become a spokesperson for an ancient religious tradition closely linked to the area's identity.

The Ittiri Folk Festa is an international festival of traditional dances from all over the world: folk music, art and dance group come together to create a riot of colours and notes that can excite all the tourists who flock to the beautiful town of Ittiri every year to attend this event.

The gastronomic tradition of Sassari is expressed in all its delicious variety during the Weekend dei Gusti (Weekend of Tastes), an exceptional event that fully enhances the culture of street food in the Sardinian tradition with appointments located in different streets and squares of the city. Restaurants, trattorias, bars, bakeries, pizzerias, wine bars and delicatessens will collaborate to make this event unique and particularly delicious. Furthermore, the event includes interesting cultural initiatives to learn more about the professional skills related to local food tradition.

To accompany you with joy from summer to autumn, the city of Alghero organizes this unmissable event in which various artists will perform in theatrical acts, sporting events and music for the whole family. Alghero dresses up to celebrate its patron saint with the annual Sant Miquel Festival, an event not to be missed!

The Festival del Turismo Itinerante (Festival of Itinerant Tourism) is a wonderful example of experiential tourism: the whole area of northwest Sardinia becomes the scene of events that involve tourists in first person with recreational, sports and natural activities. In the magnificent setting of an autumn-coloured Sardinia, you can try activities such as trekking, cycling, archery, kayaking, educational workshops such as the construction of traditional Sardinian games, guided tours and much more.

In its dual denomination 'di Gallura DOCG' and 'di Sardegna', Vermentino represents one of the most extraordinary excellences among local productions. The Benvenuto Vermentino (Welcome Vermentino) event, which will take place in Olbia in May, June and July , aims to promote the true king of Gallura and its production territories. Each year, the event opens with the Technical Tasting and then continues with shows, workshops, food and wine tastings, etc. 

Ajò a Ippuntare is an original event that involves various topics related to folklore and traditions of the Usini area. The event was created with the intent to enhance the value of wine productions of the region so there will be a wide range of wineries, which will offer their best products. During the event you will be able to participate in several educational workshops, taste typical products of the territory such as traditional Sardinian pastries and sweets. It will also be possible to attend guided tours of different historical buildings, churches and monuments and enjoy the various music events organized throughout the territory.

The Premio Eno-Letterario Vermentino (Vermentino Enoliterary Prize) is one of the most eagerly awaited cultural events in Northern Sardinia. Scheduled for October 2024 in Olbia, it is a prize conceived by the Sassari Chamber of Commerce and will feature Italian novels and short stories regarding the world of wine.