Olbia and the Christmas holidays
During the period of the most heartfelt holidays, from Christmas to Epiphany passing through New Year’s Eve, there is no shortage of attractive events in Olbia, thanks to a program of activities created for the enjoyment of young and very young people, adults, families and the elderly with workshops, shows and cultural events. Audiences of all ages will find events on the program that they may like, such as the open-air New Year’s Eve concert by Emma Marrone, Santa’s House and Boat, the Disney mascots, but also street art, classica, funky and gospel music, circus performances and animation, with the LED lights that decorate the historic center and contribute to making the atmosphere magical. Among the main places of worship we find the basilica of San Simplicio, in Romanesque style, and the church of San Paolo, in late medieval style with Baroque interiors. The basilica is also home to the Civitatense Museum, belonging to the Diocesan Museum System.
To Olbia from the Peninsula by ferry
The port of Olbia, Isola Bianca, is the first in Sardinia for passenger traffic, also because it is one of the closest points to the Italian mainland. Ferry trips departing from and for Livorno and Civitavecchia are very frequent, even in winter.
The Livorno – Olbia ferries of the Grimaldi Lines fleet depart daily in the morning or evening with a journey time of 9 hours (10 hours on weekends); the carriers of the Moby shipping company complete the route in a period of time that can vary between 7 hours and 25 minutes and 9 hours (the duration of the journey depends a lot on whether the journey can be made during the day or at night). On board these cruise ferries, with services similar to those of cruise ships, you can book a cabin, an armchair or simple deck passage, and also embark a vehicle or a pet (all variables that affect the cost of the ticket).
The Civitavecchia – Olbia ferries are the ones that travel the shortest route to reach Sardinia. The shipping company operating on the route also in winter is Tirrenia. The duration of the ride is 5 hours and 30 minutes during the day and 7 or 8 hours at night. The ticket amount varies according to the type of accommodation on board (deck passage, seat or internal or external cabin) and whether or not the passenger travels with a vehicle or pets. Breakfast (continental or English) and a restaurant menu (first or second course) can also be booked.
The program of Christmas events in Olbia
On the day of the Immaculate Conception the “Paradura” show parade, to celebrate the ancient and supportive tradition of Sardinian shepherds of donating each one of their own sheep to reconstitute a lost or destroyed flock. The streets of the center on Saturday 10 December 2022 are animated by street artists. Sunday 11 December in Piazza Francesco Crispi there is the Christmas Village, with inflatables, mascots and make-up for children; in the afternoon at the MusMat (former slaughterhouse in Via Roma) you can listen to the inaugural concert of the 2022 – 2023 academic year of the Civic School of Music “Salon Orchester – Musical journey through the nineteenth century and Central Europe” as part of the Bernardo De Muro Festival. On Friday 16 December in the Archaeological Museum there is the announcement of the winners of the “City of Olbia Literary Award“, the competition notice organized by the Culture Department of the Municipality of Olbia and the Simpliciana Civic Library. Saturday 17 is scheduled for the show parade through the streets of the center “A Christmas all Maccus”; in the afternoon in the Piazzetta della Biblioteca the children can have all the rosticini they want. Sunday 18 the Lestofunky Street Band roams the streets of the center. Tuesday 20 there is the clown and animation show “Santa Claus, Molasses and the elves in Murta Maria” and to follow the “Blowing Bubble Show” with soap bubbles in Piazza Regina Margherita. Wednesday 21 “Treno Clown“, an adventure off the rails, with four stops in the streets of the center, and the clown and animation show of “Santa Claus, Molasses and the goblins in Berchiddeddu”. Thursday 22 you can relive the past with the ancient games in Piazza Francesco Crispi (“Trick & Track”) and the show “Santa Claus, Molasses and the goblins in San Pantaleo”. Friday 23rd there is the “White Led” parade in the center and on Boxing Day the “Spiralight and Fireshow” fire and light show in Piazza Francesco Crispi. Wednesday 28 in Corso Umberto (Palazzo ex Scolastico) you can attend an acrobatic show. Thursday 29 there is street art in Piazza della Biblioteca. On the evening of 31 December, the arrival of the New Year 2023 is celebrated with the concert by Emma Marrone at the Benedetto Brin Pier. On Monday 2nd January there is the street circus downtown and on Wednesday 4th the parade of Disney mascots. On Epiphany day you cannot miss the La Maestosa Ferris Wheel, where, in collaboration with the Fire Brigade, there is the descent of the Befana; in the afternoon, starting from Piazzetta della Biblioteca, you can have fun with street art with the event “Epifania in Allegria!”. The closing of the party program is Saturday 7 January in the Palazzo ex Scolastico in Corso Umberto with the Movin’on Up Gospel Choire in concert.
From 17 to 24 December you can enter Santa Claus’ House in the Vicolo della Refezione every afternoon, meet him and give him the letter, as well as participate in the planned creative workshops.
For the days 28, 29 December and 4, 5 January you can book Santa’s boat and take an excursion in the Gulf of Olbia: thanks to the Insula Felix association you can take a tour of the important inlet of northern east Sardinia for free in aquabus.
Santa Claus comes from the sea
Saturday 17 December the sixth edition of “Santa Claus comes from the sea” takes place, the paddling in the stretch of water overlooking the Lungomare Cossiga; on the pier the banquet of Pollicino is set up, an association of Olbia that takes care of supporting hospitalized children, with Santa Claus distributing small gifts, while stand up paddle (SUP) and kayaks parade in the sea in a nice procession on the sea to which everyone is invited to participate, dressed in Christmas theme.
