Sardinian carnival 2027: dates, masks and where to see it
Sardinia's 2027 carnival begins with the bonfires of Sant'Antonio (St Anthony, 16–17 January), when the Mamuthones appear in Mamoiada for the first time, and peaks on Tuesday 9 February 2027, Shrove Tuesday, with the Sartiglia in Oristano (7 and 9 February) and the burning of Re Giorgio in Tempio Pausania. In the villages of Barbagia it isn't a carnival of confetti: it's an ancient ritual, with wooden masks and cowbells that seem to come from another world.
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Mamoiada — the Mamuthones (Barbagia)
One of Sardinia's oldest and most intense carnivals
The Mamuthones of Mamoiada are among the most famous ritual masks in Italy. Silent figures laden with heavy cowbells, advancing in orderly rows to a rhythm of metal. It is not a show — it is an ancient rite.
The masks
- Mamuthones: 12 men with a carved black wooden mask, sheepskin and cowbells on their backs (up to 30 kg). They advance with measured steps.
- Issohadores: 8 men in red jackets who “capture” spectators by throwing sa soca (the lasso).
The Mamuthones come out for Sant'Antonio Abate (St Anthony the Abbot, 17 January; a Sunday in 2027) and then on Carnival Sunday and Shrove Tuesday (in 2027: 7 and 9 February).
Mamoiada is also home to the Museum of Mediterranean Masks — open all year round, extraordinary for understanding the anthropological context. From Sassari: about 1 hour 45 minutes by car.
Ottana — Boes and Merdules (Nuoro)
The carnival of the oxen
At Ottana the ritual masks represent an ancestral conflict between Boes (oxen in costume — zoomorphic figures with a rough wooden mask and animal skins) and Merdules (the masters). It is a rite linked to the Sardinian agro-pastoral world — the struggle between man and nature.
The masks of Ottana are considered among the most “primitive” and intense in Sardinia. They come out for Sant'Antonio (16–17 January) and on the days of Carnival: check the municipality's programme.
Oristano — Sa Sartiglia
Oristano's great equestrian joust
Sa Sartiglia is Oristano's historic equestrian joust — a tournament in which masked horsemen try to spear with a sword a star hanging from a ribbon. According to tradition, the more stars are hit, the richer the harvest will be.
- It takes place on Carnival Sunday and Shrove Tuesday: in 2027 on 7 and 9 February
- The Componidori is the lead horseman — white androgynous mask, bandaged hands, an almost sacred figure
- A historical procession in 17th-century dress, musicians, equestrian acrobatics
Sa Sartiglia is one of Sardinia's most photogenic events, and every year it draws a great many photographers.
Tempio Pausania — Re Giorgio (Gallura)
Northern Sardinia's carnival
The Carnival of Tempio Pausania (Carrasciali Timpiesu) is the great carnival of northern Sardinia, known across the island for its allegorical floats. It revolves around Re Giorgio, a large papier-mâché puppet who arrives on Fat Thursday, reigns over the festival and on Shrove Tuesday is put on trial for his “vices”, makes his will and is burned in the square.
- Costume parades throughout the carnival season
- Satirical songs in the Gallurese dialect
- The “trial” and burning of Re Giorgio on Shrove Tuesday (9 February 2027)
- The feel of a genuine local festival — not a tourist one
📍 Tempio Pausania (Gallura) — about 1 hr 10 min from Sassari, 50 minutes from Olbia.
Sassari and Alghero
Northern Sardinia's two main towns hold traditional carnivals with masked parades, events for children and celebrations in the old town. Less anthropologically intense than the carnivals of Barbagia, but accessible, fun and well organised.
- Sassari: masked parades in the centre, events in the main squares
- Alghero: carnival in the Catalan old town, events for families
Key dates for the 2027 Sardinian carnival
The exact dates are confirmed each year by the organising municipalities. Always check the official programmes before planning your visit.
| Event |
2027 dates (to be confirmed by the municipalities) |
Where |
| Mamuthones of Mamoiada |
17 January, 7 and 9 February |
Mamoiada (Nu) |
| Boes and Merdules |
16–17 January and the Carnival days |
Ottana (Nu) |
| Sa Sartiglia |
Sunday 7 and Tuesday 9 February |
Oristano |
| Carnival of Tempio Pausania |
From Thursday 4 to Tuesday 9 February |
Tempio Pausania (SS) |
| Sassari Carnival |
February |
Sassari |
| Alghero Carnival |
February |
Alghero (SS) |
The Shrove Tuesday 2027 falls on 9 February 2027 (Easter is on 28 March).
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Where to stay for the carnival
The most authentic carnivals are inland, but it pays to stay somewhere well placed.
- Cala Gonone → sea and Barbagia: Mamoiada about an hour away
- Porto Torres → Sassari 20 minutes away, Tempio in about an hour and a half
- Palau and Santa Teresa di Gallura → Tempio in about an hour
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FAQ
What is the Mamoiada carnival and why is it famous?
The Mamoiada carnival is famous for the Mamuthones — ritual masks of dark wood, with heavy cowbells on their backs, who advance in line beating out a metallic rhythm. It's considered one of the oldest carnival rituals in Europe and, according to many scholars, it is linked to pre-Christian cults of Barbagia. The main appearances are on 17 January (Sant'Antonio) and on Carnival Sunday and Shrove Tuesday.
Which Sardinian carnival is closest to northern Sardinia?
The Tempio Pausania Carnival is northern Sardinia's big carnival and is easy to reach from Sassari (about 1 hr 10 min) and Olbia (about 50 minutes). To see the Mamuthones of Mamoiada and the Sartiglia in Oristano you'll need a full day from the Sassari or Olbia area — but both are well worth the trip.
When is the Sardinian carnival in 2027?
In 2027 the Sardinian carnival runs from the bonfires of Sant'Antonio (16–17 January) to Shrove Tuesday, which falls on 9 February 2027. The Mamuthones come out on 17 January and on 7 and 9 February, the Sartiglia in Oristano is on 7 and 9 February, and the Tempio Carnival runs from Thursday 4 to Tuesday 9 February. Check each municipality's official programme for the exact dates of the events.
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