Events and celebrations in Ogliastra

We have tried to gather information about events which will be taking place in Tortolì and the surrounding areas to help you plan and organise your holiday.  We have based the dates of the events on those from the previous two years, as events usually occur on the same weekends each year.  When dates are officially confirmed by the organisers we will update our site.  If there is something you have a particular interest in seeing, we suggest that you get in touch and we will try to advise you as best as we can.

January 2019

  • 6 January 2019 – EPIPHANY
  • 16-17 January 2019 – FALO’ DI SANT’ANTONIO – The official start of the carnival season is celebrated in many towns and cities of Sardinia. Experience the ritual of the blessing and lighting up of the fire which takes place on the 17th January in Tortolì and other towns around like Gairo, Jerzu, Lanusei, Triei, Urzulei and Villagrande Strisaili.
  • 18 January 2019 – FESTIVAL OF THE WILD BOAR and FALO’ DI SANT’ANTONIO in Gairo.
  • 20 January 2019 – FALO’ DI SANT’ANTONIO in Baunei

February 2019

  • 14 February 2019 – SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY
  • 17 February 2019 – CARNIVAL – Street parades with floats, in the form of a competition, will take place in Tortolì and the surrounding towns during the weekends leading up to Martedì Grasso (Fat Tuesday) when a judging panel will vote for the best of the year. We will update the site when locations are officially released.
  • 24 February 2019 – CARNIVAL events in Tortoli and the surrounding towns take place the weekends leading up to Martedì Grasso. We will update the site when locations are officially released.

March 2019

  • 3 March 2019 – CARNIVAL events in Tortoli and the surrounding towns take place the weekends leading up to Martedì Grasso. We will update the site when locations are officially released.
  • 5 March 2019 – MARTEDI’ GRASSO.  The final street parade with floats and closure of the Carnival.

April 2019

  • 13-14 April 2019 – TORTOLI’ IN FIORE (Tortolì in Bloom).  A weekend when the streets become works of art and are lined with food and craft stalls.  Dates TBC as this event can occur throughout April.
  • 13-14 April 2019 (TBC) – 8th RALLY TERRA SARDA & RALLY D’OGLIASTRA – This Rally car racing competition usually takes place on the second weekend of April through the roads of Ilbono, Tortoli, Lanusei, Baunei.
  • 21 April 2019 – EASTER – Come and experience the Easter story live.  Follow actors by candlelight as the sun goes down through the streets as they re-enact the Easter story up to the crucifiction on the hill of Monte Attu.
  • PRIMAVERA IN OGLIASTRA. From mid-April to the end of June each town in Ogliastra takes its turn to host a Primavera in Ogliastra (Springtime in Ogliastra) event.  These events showcase the ancient museum houses, traditional crafts, foods and ways of living.  These places are often open only on special occasions.  People, young and old, participate in these events where a clear sense of pride in the local history and culture can be found. We have based these dates on the 2018 Calendar as the 2019 dates have not yet been confirmed and usually these events take place using the same patterns of weekends each year.
  • 20-21 April 2019 – GIRASOLE PRIMAVERA IN OGLIASTRA, this event will almost certainly take place on an alternative date because of the coincidence with Easter this year.  You will find this beautiful little town 5 minutes from Tortolì.
  • 27-28 April 2019 – LOCERI PRIMAVERA IN OGLIASTRA.  20 minutes from Tortolì, up in the mountains.  Loceri has a beautiful historic centre and spectacular views.

May 2019

  • 17-18-19 May 2019 – SARDINIA TRAIL 8° Edition – OGLIASTRA – RUNNING IN PARADISE. The Ultra Trail race with three stages will take place in Ogliastra and will feature the Gennargentu mountains (Arzana and Desulo), the Supramonte of Urzulei, the Monte Ferru (Cardedu) and the sea of Ogliastra. This is a great event with athlets from all over Europe.
  • 18-19 May 2019 – TRIEI PRIMAVERA IN OGLIASTRA.  15 minutes from Tortolì you will find the tiny, gorgeous town of Triei surrounded by vineyards.  This usually quiet town comes alive with their festival in springtime.
  • 25-26 May 2019 – LOTZORAI PRIMAVERA IN OGLIASTRA.  Only 10 minutes from Tortolì, Lotzorai is another beautiful town which comes alive for this festival.

June 2019

  • 1-2 June 2019 – ARBATAX “BORGO MARINARO”.  In our very own harbour of Arbatax you will find a weekend celebrating marine culture: one of the biggest events in Ogliastra, where you will find a vast array of seafood and everything that represents the cultural expression of this little fishing village full of character.  An event not to be missed for anyone who likes to mix seafood and culture.
  • 1-2 June 2019 – “SAGRA DELLE CILIEGIE” OSINI.  The Festival of the Cherries celebrates the harvest of the cherries in this town nestled in the “Tacchi d’Ogliastra” mountains.  A spectacular drive of approximately 30 minutes will take you up into the mountains with breath-taking views through the Valley del Pardu to the sea.
  • 1-2-3 June 2019 – ULASSAI CLIMBING FESTIVAL. Three days of climbing, biking, mountain running, highlining and yoga.
  • 8-9 June 2019 – BAUNEI PRIMAVERA IN OGLIASTRA. 15 minutes away, this town is situated on the southern side of the Supramonte Mountains, overlooking the flatland of Ogliastra.  This event is often very well organised, with a route to follow and live performances throughout the day.
  • 8-9 June 2019 – GAIRO PRIMAVERA IN OGLIASTRA.  Another 30 minute spectacular drive from Tortolì will bring you to Gairo up in the mountains.  You will enjoy seeing this small town with the streets decorated for the occasion, displays of art and traditions.  You will find houses and courtyards opened for the occasion as small museums, displays of culture, art, traditions and for tastings of food and wines.  A visit to the abandoned Gairo Vecchio (Old Gairo) is also highly recommended during your visit.
  • 15-16 June 2019 – BARI SARDO PRIMAVERA IN OGLIASTRA. 10 minutes from Tortolì, Bari Sardo offers one of the largest events in Ogliastra.  Music will continue late into the night as you wonder the winding streets, smelling food prepared in many of the courtyards of houses.  You will struggle to resist tasting the traditional food and experiencing the culture of the town.
  • 15-16 June 2019 – URZULEI PRIMAVERA IN OGLIASTRA. This beautiful town in the mountains is just 35 minutes’ drive away. Do not let the distance put you off attending as we highly recommend you to take this road as you will see some of the most beautiful valleys along the winding mountain roads, with typical Sardinian flora along the way.  Urzulei also houses a fantastic museum which takes you back in time to experience how the houses, post office, school and other parts of the town would have been in the past.
  • 16-21 June 2019 – RALLY OF SARDINIA 2019 – INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE race which will take place in Ogliastra, divided into 5 stages for a total of 360 km and 11,000 meters of difference in altitude characterized by very challenging tracks which will cross breath-taking views and uncontaminated places that only the wild Sardinia and the region of Ogliastra know how to offer.
  • 22-23 June 2019 – SAGRA DELLE CILIEGIE (Cherries Festival) in Lanusei.  The Cherry Festival occurs in the streets of Lanusei, 20 minutes from Tortolì.
  • 27-30 June 2019 – INTERNATIONAL STREETFOOD FESTIVAL in Tortolì. The STREETFOOD FESTIVAL occurs for the second year along the streets of Tortolì. This is a travelling event that brings together excellent national and international cuisines with moments of entertainment. An event dedicated to the best street food.

July 2019

  • 4 July 2019 – NOTTE BIANCA happens on Thursdays throughout July and August.  Starting just 5 minutes by foot from our home the streets are closed to traffic and the restaurants spill out onto the streets, with live performances, a fair ground, shops open past midnight and stalls lining the streets full of traditional goodies, crafts and much more.  Enjoy the warm summer evenings with a walk and absorb the atmosphere, perhaps even with an ice cream in hand!
  • 11 July 2019 – NOTTE BIANCA in Tortolì.
  • 12 – 14 July 2019 – STELLA MARIS Festival.  Stella Maris is the protector of the sailors.  This spectacular event involves a procession to the harbour and then a procession aboard boats.  The boats circle the harbour several times as the sun sets over the mountains.  Tourists may board one of the boats for free to participate in the spectacle, or watch from the harbour.  A floral wreath is then laid in the sea by representatives of the Navy in remembrance of the sailors who have been lost at sea.  This three day festival also involves the “Sagra delle Cozze”, Festival of Mussels, “Sagre del Pesce”, Festival of Fish, and Parades of Folkloristic Groups in traditional clothing, live music and a spectacular firework display inside the harbour.  This event should not be missed.
  • 18 July 2019 – NOTTE BIANCA in Tortolì.
  • 25 July 2019 – NOTTE BIANCA in Tortolì.
  • 26th-27th July 2019 – SANT’ANNA.  This festival is known as the Festival of the Pregnant Women.  Traditionally this festival is a time to pray for fertility, safe pregnancy and birth of children.  In Tortolì you will find processions, a festival of Culurgionis (a traditional handmade pasta from the area), traditional food served in court yards, a parade of Folkloristic Groups in traditional costumes and a festival atmosphere throughout the town.

August 2019

  • 1 August 2019 – NOTTE BIANCA in Tortolì. Notte Bianca happens on Thursdays throughout July and August. Starting just 5 minutes by foot from our home the streets are closed to traffic and the restaurants spill out onto the streets, with live performances, a fair ground, shops open past midnight and stalls lining the streets. 
  • August (various dates) – SKYDIVING. Skydive Sardinia usually uses the airport during the month of August for Tandem and independent skydiving.
  • 8 August 2019 – NOTTE BIANCA in Tortolì.
  • 10 August 2019 – CALICI DI STELLE – JERZU WINE FESTIVAL.  Surrounded by vineyards, just 30 minutes from Tortolì, Jerzu is one of the most famous areas of Sardinia for wine production.  During the weekend all of the producers (including those who produce wine at home for the family) open their doors and offer tastings of their wines and traditional foods.  This event can be extremely busy as it attracts visitors from all over the world.
  • 14-17 August 2019 – RED VALLEY. The Red Valley Music Festival is a music event that takes place in Arbatax.  The stage has the spectacular back drop of the Red Rocks of Arbatax in our harbour.  This event is four nights of music with DJs and bands.  The line up has been announced only partially. On Saturday 17th August SALMO – Playlist Summer Tour. Last year the festival hosted Sean Paul, Gigi D’Agostino, Dark Polo Gang.  See the Red Valley Festival website for further info.
  • HOLI COLOUR festival occurs during the Red Valley Festival
  • 15 August 2019 – FERRAGOSTO is a public holiday in Italy.  You will find the Italian tourists flock to Tortolì to take advantage of the wonderful weather, warm seas and relaxing beaches.  The town is alive and bustling during this period.
  • 15 August 2019 – NOTTE BIANCA in Tortolì.
  • 16-19 August 2019 – SAN LUSSORIO Festival in TORTOLI’ is the first of the three “FESTAS DE SARTU”, which means the Countryside Festivals.  The statue of the saint, which during the year has its place in the cathedral of Tortolì, is transported in a procession on a cart pulled by two oxen or horses on the Saturday afternoon to the little countryside church of San Lussorio, nearby Basaùra.  The saint is taken back to the cathedral on another procession on the following evening.  The processions are accompanied by the members of the organising committee, by Folkloristic Groups in traditional clothes and by a musician playing the Launeddas, a wind instrument made of three canes, typical of Sardinian tradition, which has a sound reminiscent of bagpipes.  There will be a party on the Saturday at the countryside church and on the Sunday in the centre of Tortolì.  More detailed information will be available closer to the date.  
  • 22 August 2019 – NOTTE BIANCA in Tortolì.  
  • The last week of August 2019 – SET TO SUN FESTIVAL Cardedu – This free music festival has a stage close to the beach and a variety of music from Reggae to DJ sets.
  • 23rd-26th August 2019 – Festival of SAN GEMILIANO in TORTOLI’ is the second of the three “FESTAS DE SARTU”, which means the Countryside Festivals. The statue of the saint, which during the year has its place in the cathedral of Tortolì, is transported in a procession on a cart pulled by two oxen or horses on the Saturday afternoon to the little countryside church of San Gemiliano, overlooking the bay of Porto Frailis. The saint is taken back to the cathedral on another procession on the following evening. The processions are accompanied by the members of the organising committee, by Folkloristic Groups in traditional clothes and by a musician playing the Launeddas, a wind instrument made of three canes, typical of Sardinian tradition, which has a sound reminiscent of bagpipes. There will be a party on the Saturday at the countryside church and on the Sunday in the centre of Tortolì. More detailed information will be available closer to the date.
  • 25th August 2019 – SAGRA DEL REDENTORE.  Festival of “Christ the Redeemer” is a traditional festival (with religious and folklore events) held in Nuoro and on the Monte Ortobene where, at 925 m, is the bronze statue of Christ the Redeemer. This festival is one of the three biggest Folkloristic gatherings in the whole of Sardinia, with a parade of hundreds of groups in traditional costumes coming from every corner of the island.  An event not to be missed.
  • 29 August 2019 – NOTTE BIANCA in Tortolì.

September 2019

  • AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA (Autumn in Barbagia) is a series of festivals which occur in the towns of Barbagia, the historic region in the heart of Sardinia.  Each weekend from the start of September to mid-December one or two towns invite visitors to experience their unique traditions, cultures and history as they open their homes, museums and streets for a day of festivities.  Although the drive may be a little longer to reach some of these events, the roads are often spectacular and we can recommend sights along the way for you to see. These dates have not been confirmed, but usually follow the same pattern each year.
  • 31 August-1 September 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in BITTI.
  • 6-9 September 2019 – SAN SALVATORE. The Festival of San Salvatore in TORTOLI’ is the final of the three “FESTAS DE SARTU”, which means the Countryside Festivals. The statue of the saint, which during the year has its place in the cathedral of Tortolì, is transported in a procession on a cart pulled by two oxen or horses on the Saturday afternoon to the little countryside church of San Salvatore, on the little hill on the way to the Lido di Orrì. The saint is taken back to the cathedral on another procession on the following evening. The processions are accompanied by the members of the organising committee, by Folkloristic Groups in traditional clothes and by a musician playing the Launeddas, a wind instrument made of three canes, typical of Sardinian tradition, which has a sound reminiscent of bagpipes. There will be a party on the Saturday at the countryside church and on the Sunday in the centre of Tortolì. More detailed information will be available closer to the date.
  • 7-8 September 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in OLIENA.
  • 14-15 September 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in DORGALI.
  • 14-15 September 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in SARULE.
  • 21-22 September 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in AUSTIS.
  • 21-22 September 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in ORANI.
  • 28–29 September 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in LULA.
  • 28-29 September 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in TONARA.

October 2019

  • 5-6 October 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in GAVOI.
  • 5-6 October 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in ONANI’.
  • 12 October 2019 – ULTRATRAIL in BAUNEI.  Choose your event; 12km (500m elevation gain) Fast Hike; 20km (1600m elevation gain); 30km (2100m elevation gain); 48km (3000m elevation gain) or 95km (5000m elevation gain) events.
  • 12-13 October 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in ORGOSOLO.
  • 12-13 October 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in LOLLOVE.
  • 19-20 October 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in SORGONO.
  • 19-20 October 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in BELVI’.
  • 19–20 October 2019 – SAGRA DELLE MELE (Festival of Apples) in USSASSAI.
  • 19-20 October 2019 – MONTE DI SAPORI (Mountain of Flavours) Festival in URZULEI.
  • 26-27 October 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in ARITZO.
  • 26-27 October 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in OTTANA.
  • 25-27 October 2019 – CASTAGNE E VINO NUOVO (Chestnuts and New Wine) Festival in LANUSEI.
  • 31 October 2019 – HALLOWEEN.  For the past couple of years the people of Tortolì have embraced this festival of celtic origin.  You can expect an exciting Haunted House experience, theme nights in the bars and fancy dress around the town.

November 2019

  • 1 November 2019 – “IS ANIMAS” is a Sardinian festival in remembrance of the dead.  This festival has many names, even in Sardinia.  In Italy it is known as “Ognissanti” or All Saints’ Day.  Traditionally children go out in the morning and ask for offerings to give to the dead, which are traditionally nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruit and homemade baked products.  Families make a traditional meal, lay a table and leave the food out with candles alight for the spirits over night.  You can see some of these traditions around the town and in the old museum house of Tortolì called “Sa Domu Beccia”.
  • 31 October-3 November 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in DESULO.
  • 31 October-3 November 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in MAMOIADA.
  • 9-10 November 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in NUORO.
  • 9-10 November 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in TIANA.
  • 16-17 November 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in OLZAI.
  • 16-17 November 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in ATZARA.
  • 23-24 November 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival a OLLOLAI.
  • 23-24 November 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in OROTELLI.
  • 23–24 November 2019 – BREAD & OLIVE OIL Festival ILBONO.
  • 30 November 2019 – SANT’ANDREA Festival, Patron Saint of TORTOLI’.

December 2019

  • 30 November-1 December 2019 – SAGRA DEI CULURGIONIS (Festival of the Culurgionis) in LANUSEI.
  • 30 November-1 December 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in TETI.
  • 30 November-1 December 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in ONIFERI.
  • 7-8 December 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in FONNI.
  • 14-15 December 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in ORUNE.
  • 14-15 December 2019 – AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA Festival in OVODDA.