Our Lady of Valverde is a Sardinian festival celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Easter. Devotees from all over the region flock to Alghero to take part in various traditional rituals, the most important of which is a pilgrimage to the magnificent 16th-century sanctuary dedicated to the Saint.

April - June 2008 - Festival Alguer and its Journeys

The spring edition of the successful Festival Alguer, constisting of a series of concerts, literary meetings, exhibitions and other cultural events.

23 & 24 June 2008 - San Giovanni Battista Celebrations

A day of religious and traditional celebrations take place in Alghero to mark San Giovanni Battista including music shows, horse races, bonfires and even a midnight swim.

June - Sep 2008 - Festival Alguer

A summer-long festival of culture including jazz, musicals, theatre and much more which is held at two of Alghero's historical venues: the Anfiteatro Maria Pia and the Forte della Maddalena.

August - Alghero's Cup

International Tennis Women's competition.

15 August 2008 - Beata Vergine Assunta

Musical exhibitions and religious rituals.

3 August 2008 - Tourist's fair

Music, dances and typical gastronomy: tourists are protagonists!

1 July to 31 August 2008 - XXVI Summer Music in Alghero

Classical music concerts in the Chiostro di San Francesco.

28, 29 and 30 September 2008 - S. Michele

Patronal festival.

4 October 2008 - S. Francesco

Torch-light procession around the town centre.

19 and 20 October 2008 - Alghero Challenge Cup

Sailing regatta organized by Yacht Club Alghero.

Around Alghero

February 2008 - Carnival

Extremely popular in Sardinia. Masked and costumed figures parade around small villages and bigger towns of the island.

21/23 March 2008 - Easter

Costumes, processions and intense drama are the main ingredients of Sardinia's various festas commemorating Easter.

May 2008 - Cavalcata Sarda (Sassari)

The Sardinian Cavalcade in Sassari is a colourful celebration of Sardinian culture with people from all over the island coming together. The town comes alive with colourful decorations, costumes, horse shows, poetry competitions, chants and traditional dances.

14 August 2008 - Fair of Candelieri (Sassari)

Celebration of the Assumption - The Sassarese people renew every year a vow made in the XVI century to the Assumption to free the town from a plague. An event of profound and ancient religious meaning, the fair is nevertheless pervaded by a playful and spectacular atmosphere.

End of August - Regata Vela Latina (Stintino)

Festival celebrating traditional Sardinian fishing boats.

North East & Costa Smeralda

February 2008 - Carnival

Extremely popular in Sardinia. Masked and costumed figures parade around small villages and bigger towns of the island.

21/23 March 2008 - Easter

Costumes, processions and intense drama are the main ingredients of Sardinia's various festas commemorating Easter.

May - June 2008 - Giro d' Italia (Maddalena Archipelago)

Giro d'Italia is the Italian version of the Tour de France, where 22 dedicated teams of professional cyclists compete in a three-week long race for the "pink shirt".

24 to 26 May 2008 - Estiva Cup (Porto Rotondo)

International sailing regatta in Porto Rotondo.

11 to 15 June 2008 - Baltic Cup (Porto Cervo)

Sailing show organised by the Yachting Club of Costa Smeralda

13 July 2008 - Fish Festival (Santa Teresa di Gallura)

Festival inviting visitors to sample fried fish and delightful Vermentino wine.

4 to 6 August 2008 - International Folklore Festival (Tempio Pausania)

Held during Tempio's summer carnival and featuring various ethnic groups from all over the world.

12 to 14 August 2008 - Smeralda 888 European Cup (Porto Cervo)

Prime sailing exhibition.

13 to 17 August 2008 - Time in Jazz (Berchidda)

International Jazz Festival - one of the most important in Sardinia.

9 September 2008 - Arzachena Gulf Cup

Sailing Regatta.

End of September 2008 - Costa Smeralda rally

A prime sporting event along the stunning Costa Smeralda.

South

February 2008 - Carnival

Extremely popular in Sardinia. Masked and costumed figures parade around small villages and bigger towns of the island.

21/23 March 2008 - Easter

Costumes, processions and intense drama are the main ingredients of Sardinia's various festas commemorating Easter.

1 to 4 May 2008 - Sant' Efisio (Cagliari)

Offers a grand procession commemorating the end of the plague in 1656. It's a magical celebration of faith and folklore, the sacred and the profane.

1 June 2008 - Sagra delle Ciliegie (Burcei)

Festival celebrating the cherry harvest in the mountain village of Bucei.

17 July 2008 - Sagra delle Pesche (San Sperate)

Peach festival held on the feast of the town's patron saint.

Central Sardinia

February 2008 - Carnival

Extremely popular in Sardinia. Masked and costumed figures parade around small villages and bigger towns of the island.

February 2008 - Sa Sartiglia (Oristano)

Costumed hijinks and equestrian showmanship recall the medieval roots of this lively festival.

21/23 March 2008 - Easter

Costumes, processions and intense drama are the main ingredients of Sardinia's various festas commemorating Easter.

18 May 2008 - Festa dell' Annunziata (Bitti)

A pastoral celebration of the Annunciation.

6 and 7 July 2008 - S'Ardia horse race (Sédilo)

One of the most exciting annual events on the island, in which bareback riders race recklessly around the church of Sant'Antine among a lively audience participation. It's a thrilling spectacle, full of hot tempers, commotion and displays of virility.