Costa Smeralda’s events calendar revolves around the summer season (May through September), with sailing regattas as the headline acts. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s September race programme draws the international sailing elite, while July and August bring a mix of food festivals, outdoor concerts, and the traditional Sardinian celebrations that anchor the region’s cultural identity. Outside the summer window, events are sparse , the coast’s seasonal rhythm means most activities mirror the hotel opening schedules. Here are the specific events to plan around, with dates, locations, and what to expect. For more detailed information, see our weather by month breakdown.
Costa Smeralda Events and Festivals: Sailing Regattas
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
Held in the first week of September each year, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is the Costa Smeralda’s marquee sailing event. Over 40 maxi yachts (boats over 18.2 metres/60 feet) compete in five days of coastal and windward-leeward racing organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. The fleet typically includes J-Class yachts, Wallys, Swans, and modern super-maxis exceeding 30 metres. Best viewing is from the Porto Cervo Marina breakwater (free public access) or from a chartered spectator boat (EUR 100-150, book through the YCCS office). The event brings Porto Cervo’s Piazzetta to life each evening from 6pm to midnight with crews, owners, and sailing media filling the bars and restaurants. Book hotels and dinner reservations for this week 3-4 months ahead. For more detailed information, see our best time to visit guide.
Rolex Swan Cup
Held in mid-September of odd-numbered years (next: 2027), the Rolex Swan Cup gathers 100-plus Swan yachts from Nautor’s Finnish shipyard for a week of racing in the waters off Porto Cervo. The event is less corporate than the Maxi Cup, with a strong owner-driver ethos and a more relaxed shoreside atmosphere. Racing categories split by Swan model class (ClubSwan 36 through Swan 115). The social programme includes the traditional crew party at the YCCS clubhouse and a gala dinner. Even-numbered years see the Swan European Regatta in its place, a smaller event with 40-60 boats but the same late-September timing. For more detailed information, see our things to do in Costa Smeralda.
Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta
Launched in 2019, this early-June regatta at the YCCS brings together 20-30 sailing superyachts (30-60 metres) for three days of racing and a shoreside programme sponsored by the Armani brand. The event signals the start of the Mediterranean superyacht season and draws a fashion-industry crowd alongside the sailing regulars. The fleet is small but spectacular , these are the largest privately owned sailing yachts in the world. Spectator access is limited; best viewing is from a boat. The YCCS publishes the exact dates each January on yccs.it. For more detailed information, see our best areas and resort towns.
Costa Smeralda Events and Festivals: Food and Wine
Porto Cervo Food Festival
Usually held in the last week of May or first week of June (exact dates announced each March on visit-portocervo.com), this 4-day event transforms the Porto Cervo Piazzetta and Marina into an open-air showcase of Sardinian gastronomy. Twenty-plus stands offer tasting portions (EUR 5-10 each) of regional specialties: porceddu (roast suckling pig), culurgiones (potato-and-mint stuffed pasta), seadas (fried cheese pastry with honey), and Vermentino di Gallura , Sardinia’s only DOCG wine, produced 30km inland from the coast. Cooking demonstrations by local chefs run each afternoon, and evening live music (jazz and acoustic sets) plays from 7pm to 11pm. Free entry; food paid per tasting. For more detailed information, see our where to stay guide.
Festa di San Simplicio (Olbia)
On May 15, Olbia celebrates its patron saint with a procession from the 11th-century Basilica of San Simplicio through the historic centre, followed by a traditional Sardinian festival with folk music (launeddas , triple-pipe reed instruments), traditional costumes from across Gallura, and food stalls in the main piazza. The event is authentically local rather than tourist-oriented, and you’ll hear more Sardinian dialect than English. Olbia is a 30-minute drive from Porto Cervo; parking near the basilica fills by 4pm. The celebrations run from late afternoon until midnight. For more detailed information, see our travel tips and FAQ.
Costa Smeralda Events and Festivals: Music and Culture
Porto Cervo Summer Festival
Running from mid-July through late August, this concert series brings Italian and international artists to the Stella Maris Church square and the Piazzetta. Past performers include Paolo Conte, Fiorella Mannoia, and various jazz ensembles. Concerts are typically on Thursday and Saturday evenings at 9:30pm. Most are free; some headline acts charge EUR 20-40 with tickets available at the Porto Cervo tourist office. The calendar is published in early June on the Costa Smeralda consortium’s website. The church square venue holds about 500 people; arrive 45 minutes early for good seats.
Phi Beach Sunset Sessions
Phi Beach, the iconic cliffside venue at Capo d’Orso near Baia Sardinia, runs daily DJ sets at sunset (7pm-9pm) from June through September, with special ticketed events on weekends (EUR 30-50). The venue is built into a 17th-century military fort with 180-degree sea views toward the La Maddalena archipelago. Weekend sessions feature international house and deep house DJs; weekdays are more relaxed with resident DJs. Dress code: smart casual (no flip-flops after 8pm). Dinner service runs alongside the music (EUR 80-120/person for a full meal). Book dinner tables 2 weeks ahead in August. Located 15 minutes west of Porto Cervo on the SP94.
Costa Smeralda Events and Festivals: Sports and Other Events
Sardinia Rally
The Rally Italia Sardegna, a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), takes place in early June each year. While the special stages run through the hills of Gallura and Monte Acuto (30-60km inland from the coast), the ceremonial start and service park are based in Olbia. Porto Cervo serves as a base for teams and VIP guests, and the Piazzetta fills with rally cars on display during the pre-event scrutineering day. If you’re on the Costa Smeralda during rally week, book hotels months ahead , the event draws 150,000-plus spectators to northern Sardinia. The exact date varies but is announced each January on wrc.com.
Christmas in Porto Cervo
From early December through January 6, Porto Cervo puts on a Christmas village in the Piazzetta with a skating rink, artisan markets (Sardinian crafts, jewelry, local foods), and lights throughout the marina. Hotels open for the period include the Cervo Hotel and Cala di Volpe, both offering Christmas and New Year’s Eve packages (EUR 400-800/night including gala dinner). New Year’s Eve features fireworks over the marina at midnight. The event has grown substantially since 2015 and now draws regional visitors alongside international guests. Temperature is typically 10-14°C (50-57°F) during the day , coat weather, not freezing.
