All the Olbia summer events
During the summer, the city of Olbia and its hinterland transform into a vibrant stage for folk festivals, fairs, and cultural events. A perfect opportunity to discover the most authentic Sardinia, through music, centuries-old traditions, and local flavors.
Below is a selection of the main events that liven up the area from May to September.
Feast of San Simplicio – Olbia
📅 When: Second week of May (peaking May 15th)
📍 Where: Olbia’s historic center
The feast of San Simplicio, the city’s patron saint, is the most important religious and civic event of the year. The celebrations combine spirituality and folklore:
A solemn procession through the city streets, with folk groups in traditional dress;
Mussel Festival, dedicated to the Gulf of Olbia’s iconic product;
Concerts, shows, and the Palio della Stella, which attract visitors from all over Gallura.
An event that celebrates Olbia’s identity and officially opens the summer season.a.
Vermentino Festival – Monti
📅 When: First Sunday in August
📍 Where: Monti, about 20 km from Olbia
In the village of Monti, at the foot of Mount Limbara, the star is the famous Vermentino di Gallura DOCG.
The event includes:
Wine tastings and typical local dishes;
Guided tours of the historic Cantina del Vermentino (founded in 1956);
Folklore shows and live music.
An unmissable event for those who want to discover the aromas and flavors of the Gallura region.
Myrtle Festival – Telti
📅 When: Mid-August
📍 Where: Telti, 15 km from Olbia
Telti celebrates its most iconic product, myrtle, with a four-day festival.
The program includes:
The “Lu caminu de li cosi boni” food and wine trail, featuring tastings and traditional Gallura dishes;
Craft exhibitions and themed stands dedicated to myrtle derivatives (liqueurs, sweets, cosmetics);
Shows, concerts, and folk dances enliven the evenings in the town.
Feast of St. John the Baptist – various locations
📅 When: June 24
📍 Where: Various towns in the Gallura hinterland
The celebrations dedicated to St. John the Baptist have their roots in ancient pagan rites associated with the summer solstice.
Traditions that are still alive include:
Lighting of fires (“Is Fogaronis”), around which people dance and leap as a good luck gesture;
Rituals involving aromatic herbs, gathered on the night of St. John for purifying and therapeutic purposes.
One of the most evocative and symbolically charged festivals in Sardinia.
Feast of Our Lady of Grace – Plebi (Olbia)
📅 When: Third Sunday of August
📍 Where: Plebi, Olbia
In the Olbia countryside, a festival of great popular devotion takes place at the Monte Plebi country church.
Among the most anticipated moments:
Religious celebrations and votive procession;
Traditional dances in the churchyard, accompanied by local music and songs;
Food stands with typical Gallura specialties.
Feast of Saint Lucia – Santa Lucia (Olbia)
📅 When: First Sunday in September
📍 Where: Santa Lucia, Olbia
An event that symbolically closes the Olbia summer.
The festivities begin on Saturday with vespers and a communal dinner of tripe and local wine.
On Sunday, they follow with a sung mass, a procession, and a communal lunch featuring seafood dishes such as octopus salad and roast fish.
A summer of traditions and conviviality
From the coast to the heart of Gallura, every festival is an invitation to experience the most authentic Sardinia: music, flavors, ancient rituals, and sincere hospitality.
Participating in the summer events in Olbia and its surroundings means discovering a region that celebrates its identity with passion and warmth.
