words by Carol King
The Cap d’Any a l’Alguer New Year celebration in Alghero, Sardinia is one of the most anticipated events on the island’s calendar.
Cap d’Any a l’Alguer means ‘New Year’s in Alghero’ in Sardinian. The Cap d’Any a l’Alguer New Year celebrations take place throughout the squares and streets of the seaside town of Alghero. They begin on 30 December with concerts by the island’s most famous bands, Sikitikis and Ratapignata.
An annual event, the Cap d’Any a l’Alguer is in its 16th year. It forms part of a festival that started on 8 December and runs to Epiphany on 6 January 2013. The festival features wine and traditional Sardinian food tastings, street artists, theatre, dance, exhibitions, children’s entertainment, street markets, and art installations. Many local bars and restaurants put on music events, including folk singers, live jazz and DJ nights.
On New Year’s Eve, festivities kick off at the port and along Lungomare Barcellona. A cabaret starts at 10.30pm staged by local stand-up comics. There is a firework display to music at midnight, followed by a concert by cover band Funky Cats that continues into the early hours. Celebrations continue all night long in Alghero’s old town.
In 2011, some 50,000 tourists and locals attended the Cap d’Any a l’Alguer, which is Sardinia’s most popular New Year’s festival.
