Carnival in Sardinia (February)
Carnival is celebrated in many Sardinian towns and villages every year. Here I only give the names of two villages which are very famous i.e.: Mamoiada where the ancient carnival is a kind of ritual parade of men - Mamuthones and Issohadores - wearing animal furs,
traditional dark wooden masks, bells and whips or Tempio Pausania where the town organizes a parade with people dressed up with masks representing caricatures of various characters; some people will join the parade on foot while others will spend all the time on decorated carriages dancing, singing and throwing confetti to the spectators.
Saint Efisio ceremony in Cagliari (May)
On May 1st in Cagliari is a double holiday. It is Labour Day, but most of all it is a special ceremony for hundreds of people from all over the island that reach the capital to pray for Saint Efisio who saved the town from the plague. All those who will join the procession wear their traditional costume. The ceremony takes place through the whole morning along the main central streets. Some of people join the procession on foot, some ride horses while others sit on ox-carts decorated with flowers, ears of grain and hand-woven tapestries. Traditional music is played everywhere.
Sardinian Cavalcade in Sassari – La Cavalcata sarda (May)
Every second-last Sunday in May the town of Sassari becomes the stage for a beautiful parade of traditional dresses that lasts all day long. Costumes are different and they represent almost every single village and town of the island. The word “cavalcata sarda” reminds when in 1899 people dressed with their best attires rode to Sassari to see the Royals during their official visit to Sardinia. On the island horses still play an important role during festivals.
Saint Simplicio ceremony in Olbia (May)
On 15th May Olbia celebrates the patron Saint Simplicio in its 11th century Romanesque little basilica. The church, according to tradition was built on the spot where he was martyred in 304 A.C. before being thrown into the sea close to Tavolara island. Some fishermen say that in the exact point where his body sunk the water gurgles even nowadays.
Except for the holy mass many other cultural events are organized in the town or close to Fausto Noce Park such as outdoor activities, a craft market that sell traditional food and local products, temporary exhibitions and pop music concerts.
Chandeliers holiday in Sassari - Sa Faradda (August)
Since the 17th century on 14th August in Sassari there is an important festival called Discesa dei candelieri.
It is the most popular day for the inhabitants of the town and it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary who saved the town from the plague. Groups of men that are part of different gilds, walk down the main street dancing and carrying huge wooden columns symbolizing candles to fulfil a vow. They move forward following the rhythm of drums and they end in front of St. Mary of Bethlem church. This celebration is also known as Festha manna (the great event) and since 2013 it has been proclaimed Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Christ holiday in Nuoro – Festa del Cristo Redentore (August)
Sagra del Redentore is a very popular religious holiday that takes place on 29th August on the mountain called Ortobene in Nuoro. This ceremony takes place since 1901 when the brass sculpture of Christ was placed on the top of the mountain to celebrate the jubilee year 1900. The local people and many other Sardinians as well as tourists come for the religious event and to admire the beauty of the procession attended by hundreds of people dressed with their traditional colourful attire.