The Cavalcata is a parade of Sardinian regional costume on a scale matched only by Sant'Efisio: around three thousand people from across the island, on foot, on horseback and on decorated traccas, each village in its own dress. In the afternoon the pariglie are run on the Pian di Sanali — teams of riders performing acrobatics standing on galloping horses, two and three abreast.
Unlike most of the island's festivals this one is civic rather than religious, created in 1899 to welcome a royal visit and revived as a showcase of Sardinian identity.
No attendance figure is published.
It is anchored to the penultimate Sunday of May. Sassari is in the north-west of the island, an hour from Alghero airport, and the costume parade runs through the morning while the horsemanship is the afternoon.
PlanningAnchored to the penultimate Sunday of May; morning parade, afternoon pariglie.