Epiphany (Befana) 2026

On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Sardinia closes its Christmas season with one of Italy’s most beloved winter holidays: Epiphany, known locally as Sa pasca nuntza and across the country as La Befana. As in the rest of Italy, Epiphany in Sardinia marks the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus and the last day of the festive season, but here it also carries distinctive island flavors, combining the national folklore of the Befana “good witch” with Sardinian sweets, village customs, and family gatherings. For travelers, Epiphany (Befana) 2026 offers a unique chance to experience winter life on the island beyond summer beaches and coastal resorts.​

What Epiphany (Befana) Means in Italy and Sardinia

Epiphany is a major Christian feast commemorating the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles through the visit of the Three Wise Men, celebrated in Italy on January 6 as a national public holiday. In the Italian calendar, it officially ends the Christmas period that begins with the Immaculate Conception on December 8, giving rise to the saying “L’Epifania tutte le feste porta via” – Epiphany takes all the holidays away.​

In popular culture, the religious Epiphany is intertwined with the folklore of La Befana, a witch‑like old woman who brings gifts and sweets to children on the night of January 5, leaving treats in stockings for the good and coal for the naughty. She travels house to house, much like Santa, but arrives on Epiphany Eve rather than Christmas Eve.​

On Sardinia, Epiphany is both Epifania and Befana, but island traditions give the figure a slightly different nuance. Travel writers note that “according to Sardinian tradition, the Befana, a Santa‑like figure, visits children to leave them sweets if they have been good (or coal if they have not been so good), and it is common to see special events for children on this date”. The holiday is known locally as Sa pasca nuntza, the “wedding feast” or “feast of announcement,” reflecting older Sardinian names for Epiphany that emphasize completion and transition.​

Epiphany 2026: A National Holiday on January 6

For 2026, holiday calendars confirm:

• Date: Epiphany 2026 in Italy falls on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.​
• Holiday Type: National public holiday (Epifania / La Befana) across Italy, including Sardinia.​

This means schools, public offices, and many businesses on the island will be closed, while city centers and villages host children’s events, church services, and family gatherings. It also marks the last day of Christmas decorations and markets in many Sardinian towns, after which daily life gradually returns to its non‑festive rhythm.​

Sardinian Befana Traditions: Sweets, Coal, and Children’s Events

While large urban spectacles like Venice’s Befana Regatta or Rome’s Piazza Navona flights get national attention, Sardinia celebrates Epiphany in a more intimate, community‑oriented way. The core customs remain centered on children:​

• On the night of January 5, Sardinian children hang stockings or leave small shoes out, hoping the Befana will fill them with sweets, chocolate, and tangerines if they have behaved, or dark sugar “coal” if they have misbehaved.​
• Families often tell stories of the Befana as a kind, slightly scruffy old woman who travels the island, visiting houses and village squares to check on children and close the holidays with a smile.

Contemporary travel descriptions highlight that in Sardinia “special events for children” are common on Epiphany, with local councils and cultural associations organizing performances, games, and gift distributions to make the day memorable. In many towns, a woman dressed as the Befana appears in the main piazza, often arriving in a humorous or acrobatic way before handing out candy and small presents.​

Cagliari’s Acrobatic Befana

National tourism sources single out Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, as hosting one of the island’s most anticipated Epiphany events. According to VisitItaly’s Epiphany guide, “in Sardinia, the most anticipated celebration is in Cagliari. Befana is eagerly awaited by children all over Italy, but the one in Cagliari has a peculiarity: she is a particularly fit old lady. The delivery of gifts takes place in a super acrobatic way: the Befana will use skates to please the little ones. There is also a show on stilts and a descent from the flying trapeze”.​

This description suggests that for Epiphany 2026, families in Cagliari can expect:

• A Befana figure arriving on roller skates in a central square.
• Street performances, stilt walkers, and circus‑style aerial descent.
• Public hand‑outs of sweets and small gifts to children.

For island visitors based in Cagliari, checking the municipality’s event listings in late December 2025 and early January 2026 will provide exact locations and times.

Sa pasca nuntza: Epiphany in Sardinian Culture

Sardinian cultural sources emphasize that Epiphany, Sa pasca nuntza, has long been a significant festival on the island, not only for children but also as a marker in the rural calendar. Traditionally, it signaled:​

• The official end of Christmas and New Year festivities.
• A moment to look ahead to the agricultural cycle and the coming Carnival (Apokreo) season.
• A time for blessings, family visits, and modest feasts before winter’s leaner months.

Older Sardinian customs included village‑level rituals, carols, and door‑to‑door visits reminiscent of Befana songs in other Italian regions, though many of these practices have faded or been absorbed into modern children’s events. Still, the phrase Sa pasca nuntza survives in local parlance, connecting contemporary celebrations to island history.​

Church Services and Religious Observance

While the Befana folklore dominates children’s imaginations, Epiphany remains a liturgical feast in the Catholic Church. Across Sardinia, parishes celebrate Mass on January 6, commemorating the visit of the Magi and the revelation of Christ to the nations.​

In Cagliari and other major towns such as Sassari and Nuoro, you can expect:

• Morning or late‑morning solemn Masses in cathedral churches.
• Children attending with families, sometimes bringing symbolic gifts or offerings.
• Nativity scenes still in place, often with the Magi figurines finally placed near the manger on this day.

Visitors who want to experience the religious side of Epiphany (Befana) 2026 in Sardinia can attend a parish Mass, dress modestly, and follow local customs of standing, kneeling, and silence during liturgy.

What to Do on Epiphany 2026 in Sardinia

Morning: Join a Local Mass and Walk the Historic Centers

Start your Epiphany in a city like Cagliari, Alghero, Oristano, or a smaller coastal town. Attend an Epiphany Mass in a central church, then stroll through the historic center while decorations are still up. January light on Sardinia can be crisp and bright, and the streets are quieter than in summer, with more locals than tourists.

In Cagliari, you might:

• Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria in Castello after Mass.
• Walk down to Via Roma and the Marina district for coffee and a pastry.
• Watch families heading toward the main square where afternoon Befana events will unfold.

Afternoon: Follow the Befana

Midday or early afternoon often brings children’s Epiphany shows. In Cagliari, look for the acrobatic Befana on skates and stilts described by national tourism guides. In smaller towns and villages, local cultural associations may:​

• Stage small plays or puppet shows about the Befana.
• Organize face‑painting, games, and candy distribution in community halls or piazzas.
• Invite a Befana character to “fly in” from a balcony or descend via rope, echoing mainland traditions where firefighters or climbers assist.​

Check local event calendars and municipal websites in late December to find exact schedules for Epiphany 2026 events in your chosen Sardinian area.

Evening: Family Dinners and Sweet Farewell to Christmas

Epiphany evening tends to be quieter, as families gather at home for the last festive meal of the season. Typical Sardinian treats may include:

• Local pastries and Christmas biscuits left over from the holidays.
• Regional panettone or pandoro variants.
• Hot chocolate or liqueurs served to adults as stockings are checked and stories told.

As a visitor, you can book dinner in a trattoria or agriturismo that stays open on holidays, savoring dishes such as malloreddus alla campidanese (Sardinian pasta with sausage and tomato sauce) or roasted meats, paired with Cannonau or Vermentino wines. This slow, convivial evening is the perfect way to say goodbye to the Christmas lights before they come down.

Travel Tips for Epiphany (Befana) 2026 in Sardinia

Weather and Packing

January in Sardinia is winter, though milder than much of mainland Europe. Expect:

• Daytime temperatures often between 8 and 14°C on the coasts, colder inland.
• Possible rain and wind, especially in Cagliari and along the western shores.

Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and comfortable shoes for walking cobbled city streets and village alleys. Bring something warm for evening children’s events, which may be outdoors.

Transport and Public Services

Because Epiphany is a national holiday, public transport runs on limited schedules, and some shops close or reduce hours. Plan:​

• Airport transfers or intercity trains/buses ahead of time.
• Grocery shopping on January 5 if you are staying in a self‑catering apartment.
• Museum visits either side of the holiday, as some cultural sites may close on January 6.

Tourist infrastructure in large cities like Cagliari generally stays functional, but small town services can be more restricted.

Where to Base Yourself

For an Epiphany‑focused trip, consider:

• Cagliari: Best choice for larger‑scale Befana performances, children’s shows, and a lively urban atmosphere.​
• Alghero or Sassari: Offer charming old towns and likely local Befana events, plus access to coastal scenery.
• Rural or inland villages: Provide more intimate experiences of Sardinian family life, though you may need a car and Italian language skills to fully navigate local customs.

Why Epiphany (Befana) 2026 Belongs on Your Sardinian Calendar

Choosing Sardinia for Epiphany (Befana) 2026 allows you to experience the island at its most authentic. There are no cruise ship crowds, no August heat, just a mix of soft winter light, local families enjoying a day off, and children’s laughter as they chase a witch on skates through a Cagliari square.

You will see how a national Italian tradition — La Befana — takes on island shape through Sa pasca nuntza, blending Catholic feast, folklore, and Sardinian hospitality. You will taste seasonal sweets, hear stories of coal and candy, and, if you wish, stand in church as the Magi approach the nativity scene one last time.​

Mark Tuesday, January 6, 2026, in your travel plans. Book a few winter days in Cagliari or another Sardinian town. Let Epiphany (Befana) 2026 be your introduction to Sardinia’s quieter, deeper side — an island where even the closing of the holidays carries magic, community, and the promise of new beginnings.

Verified Information at glance

Event Category: Religious and folkloric holiday / Family and children’s festival / National public holiday

Event Name: Epiphany (Epifania / La Befana, locally Sa pasca nuntza) 2026 – Sardinia

Island / Country: Sardinia (Sardegna), Italy

Confirmed Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2026​

Holiday Type: National public holiday in Italy (Epiphany)​

Religious Meaning:

• Commemorates visit of the Magi to baby Jesus and revelation of Christ to the Gentiles​
• Marks end of the Christmas period in Italy​

Befana Tradition (Italy‑wide and Sardinia):

• La Befana, a witch‑like old woman, brings sweets and small gifts to good children and coal to naughty ones on the night of January 5​
• According to Sardinian tradition, the Befana (a Santa‑like figure) visits children with sweets or coal, and special events for children are common on this date​

Sardinia‑Specific Note:

• Epiphany in Sardinia also known as Sa pasca nuntza, an ancient festival marking the day that “takes all holidays away”​

Highlight Event in Sardinia:

• In Cagliari, Epiphany Befana celebration described as featuring an acrobatic Befana who arrives on skates, with a show on stilts and a flying trapeze descent, handing out gifts to children​

Typical Activities:

• Children hang stockings or leave shoes for Befana on January 5​
• Morning Epiphany Mass in churches, including cathedrals​
• Afternoon children’s shows, Befana appearances, and candy distribution in town squares​
• Families share final festive meals in the evening, closing Christmas season​

Weather / Travel Notes (January Italy):

• Winter conditions, with cool temperatures and possible rain; layering recommended​
• Holiday schedules may reduce public transport and shop opening hours on January 6