Sassari Cavalcata Sarda 2027

Cavalcata Sarda, Sassari

The Cavalcata Sarda in Sassari, Sardinia, has been held since 1899, when the city staged a grand procession to honor the visiting King Umberto I and Queen Margherita. It has grown into the island’s largest secular celebration. Locals call it the “festa della bellezza”, the festival of beauty, and it draws costumed groups from every province of Sardinia, roughly 2,000 performers in all, including dozens of riders on horseback.

Held annually in spring, usually in the middle of May, the celebration stretches over about two weeks of exhibitions, concerts and workshops. It builds up to one Sunday-morning parade through the historic center of Sassari, and the afternoon moves to the Pinna hippodrome.

Festival Highlights:

• The Grand Parade: Around 60 groups, on foot and on horseback, march in alphabetical order along Via Asproni and Via Roma to Piazza d’Italia, wearing the hand-embroidered dress of their home villages.
• Pariglie at the Hippodrome: In the afternoon, mounted teams from Sardinian towns perform daring acrobatic horsemanship displays and skill tests at the Ippodromo Pinna.
• Traditional Song and Dance: Piazza d’Italia hosts a review of folk songs, launeddas music and circle dances from across the island, with dozens of performances over the weekend.
• Costume Exhibitions and Village Markets: Museum exhibitions on traditional Sardinian dress, a children’s parade in folk costume, and a market village in Piazza Castello with local crafts, cheeses and sweets.

Tips for Visitors & Trip Planning:

• • Free Entry: Watching the parade and most street events costs nothing. The main grandstand in Piazza d’Italia has limited seating, so for a good view along the route, arrive early in the morning.
  • Best Viewing Spots: Piazza d’Italia and the arcades along Via Roma give the best sightlines and some shade. The parade begins in the morning and runs into the early afternoon.
  • Getting There: Sassari has train and bus links to Porto Torres, Alghero and Olbia, and the Alghero-Fertilia airport is the closest. Park outside the center, since streets along the route are closed to traffic on parade day.
  • What to Wear: Sardinian May days can be hot and sunny, so wear light clothes, a hat and comfortable shoes for hours on cobbled streets, and bring a light layer for the evening.
  • Accommodation: Lodging in Sassari fills up around the parade weekend, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
  • Explore Italy: Combine the festival with Sardinian beaches, Nuragic ruins and Alghero’s old town — browse top Italy tours and activities here.

The full program, parade route and updates are published each year by the Comune di Sassari and the festival organizers. See details below, under “Event Related Information” section.