cipolla dorata
di banari
festival
2026 Edition
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July
Banari (SS) - Sardinia
Sagra della cipolla dorata di banari
The banari's golden onion
La Cipolla Dorata di Banari , as the golden big onion that born only in Banari, is the most famous product of the Banari village. This is a local type of onion that was planting here for generations and with unique organoleptic properties. Its shape is so characteristic that you can immediately recognise it: the bulbs are big, flattened and a bit concave on the top. This big onion can weight from 400 gr to more than 1,5 kg. Its layer are shine and golden outside and white inside, Its taste is unexpectedly sweet and, for this reason is perfect to use in different way when you cook. You can also store it for a lot of time, but in a dark and dry place.
In the past the plantation of the Banari’s Onion was…
a surprising sweetness
Raw, in a pan, omelette or in the oven…
The Golden Onion of Banari, thanks to its sweet taste and delicate aroma is the perfect original touch for your recipes!But it can also be the protagonist of your dishes, served alone in all its majesty: just split it in four, add oil and a pinch of salt, put it in the oven for half an hour and here it is, just baked: a huge and seductive caramel flower with an unmistakable scent.
SAGRA DELLA CIPOLLA DORATA DI BANARI
From seed to onion
A sustainable production process
The seeds obtained from the previous cultivation are planted inside the seedbed. Before the planting the soil was fertilise with the mature manure (no fertilizers) and waterd with care. The new baby plants will stay here to grow calmly for 60 days.
While the baby plants grow up in the seedbed, the farmers plough the fields.
It's time to move! The baby plants are grow and now change their home. From the seedbed they are plant into the soil, where can grow even more and become big.
At this time the plants grow by themselves, but they are also need sombody expert that take care of them with love and water. Gradually the plants become big and the farmer have to move the soil close the bulb to facilitate its development.
The autumn passes the baton to the winter and spring, as long as summer comes... That's it! We are ready to collect our Banari's onions. Onions are harvested strictly by hand.
After all this hard work, it's time to taste our succulent, sweet and fresh onions. Do you also want taste them with us and - maybe - buy some to take with you at home? We wait you in Banari this summer at the Banari's Golden Onion Festival!
Like all great stories, this one too has a hidden ending... while we're cooking our onion in our cozy kitchens, silently the farmers take care of this amazing natural productive cicle and prepare the seeds for the cultivation of the next year. Some selected bulbs are left to over-ripen until to bloom. Then, the farmers collect the seeds from the onion's flowers and dry the in the sun for 2 or 3 days. After this period the seeds are ready to are planted into the seedbed. The seeds are natural, not hybrid, and you can't find them at the market. They handed down from generation to generation.
CIPOLLA DORATA DI BANARI FESTIVAL 2026
DISCOVER AND BOOK
YOUR FESTIVAL EXPERIENCES
Show Cooking with Michelin-Starred Chef Luigi Pomata
Chef Luigi Pomata, guest of honor and recipient of the 2023 Golden Onion Award for his long-time culinary use of the Banari Onion (since 1997!), returns to delight us once more with his refined cuisine in a one-of-a-kind live cooking show.
"A_Dorata" exhibition curated by the Accademy of Fine Art Mario Sironi in Sassari
More of 20 students of the Academy of Fine Arts in Sassari pay homage to the Onion through thematic artworks and suggestive artistic installations.
The exhibition will take place in Piazza Umberto I
Opening of the art space "Carta Creations & Design"
The new art space of the international artist Giuseppe Carta. With a very personal and original style, the space interconnects the works and creations of the artist to the surronding nature, to sublimates the concepts of life, rebirth, peace and "Germination".
The space is located in Via Sassari
Guided tours and experiences
Hiking, cycling, and activities for the whole family await you each year at our Golden Onion Festival of Banari. Explore the local landscape with locals and immerse yourself in unique, ever-changing experiences that bring to life ancient knowledge and traditions.
A weekend dedicated to art and great food
SATURDAY
- Cipolla Dorata Award 2026
- Food Stands & Dinner
SUNDAY
- Excursion
- Workshop on Herbs and Magic in Sardinian Folk Tradition
- Culinary Experiences & Live Cooking Shows
- Chef's Signature Dish Tasting & Dinner in the Square
- Sardinian Nougat Workshop
program 2026
Saturday, July 18 - Piazza Umberto I
The opening ceremony features the Banari men’s choir, conducted by Silvio Nappi.
The Banari Pro Loco association presents the prestigious award, created and donated by artist Giuseppe Carta, to guest of honor Anna Tifu. This will be followed by a presentation of awards to those whose contributions have helped promote the Banari Golden Onion. The event concludes with the competition and award ceremony for the producer of the largest golden onion.
In the presence of local authorities, community associations, guests, and the general public.
Thanks to the participation of Pro Loco associations from neighbouring towns, Saturday will feature numerous stands offering a wide variety of dishes and a rich menu of onion-based specialties and more. Discover Saturday’s menu here.
Let’s dance to the best hits of the 90s!
Party continues into the night!
Sunday, July 19 - Piazza Umberto I
A unique mountain biking experience to discover the Meilogu region.
Upon your return, enjoy a communal lunch included in the experience, with seating in a shaded, tree-lined garden. The menu includes a sandwich, a drink, fruit, ice cream, and coffee.
Spaces are limited, and online booking is required.
Enjoy a slow-paced, immersive nature experience suitable for all ages. Beniamino Carta will guide us on a discovery of Monte Pala ‘e Idda and its woods, walking through shaded trails, panoramic valley views, and the cool undergrowth—pleasant even on the warmest days.
Upon your return, enjoy a communal lunch included in the experience, with seating in a shaded, tree-lined garden. The menu includes a sandwich, a drink, fruit, ice cream, and coffee.
🎟️ Spaces are limited, and online booking is required.
A family tradition of craftsmanship born over a century ago in the heart of Meilogu and passed down through the years.
During the workshop, alongside Antonello Monte, we will prepare and taste nougat made according to the ancient family recipe—handed down from generation to generation and passionately preserved.
At the end of the workshop, a special surprise awaits every participant!
🎟️ Spaces are limited, and online booking is required. Discover the experiences and book your spot here.
After the excursions, we will all gather for lunch in the shade of the tree-lined garden (📍 opposite the former elementary school – link to location) for a communal meal. The lunch ticket is included when you book one of the excursions. For those who wish to join us just for lunch, we look forward to welcoming you with sandwiches and cold beer for everyone!
Free entry, open to all! Activities run until 7:00 PM.
Alongside Giampaolo Demartis, we will journey through stories, rituals, and ancient knowledge preserved by the wind, the earth, and memory.
🎟️ Spaces are limited, and online booking is required.
From Artisanal Research to Contemporary Mixology
A unique opportunity to taste the finest local products of Banari, paired with surprising cocktails and high-end mixology creations, featuring a special tribute to the Banari Golden Onion. Guiding us through this journey of taste will be two undisputed figures of the Sardinian food and wine scene: Pinuccio Mangatia and Francesco Cuccuru.
THE EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
A guided tasting led by Pinuccio Mangatia from the historic and renowned Antica Salumeria Mangatia in Sassari;
A curated selection of tastings dedicated to the excellence of Banari;
A tasting of signature cocktails crafted exclusively for the event, including the Cuccurucucù Paloma, a tribute to the “Golden Queen” created by Francesco Cuccuru.
🎟️ Spaces are limited, and online booking is required.
The Banari Golden Onion meets the culinary heritage of Sardinia. Bringing this story of flavours to life will be Chef Pier Paolo Argiolu Cozzina, a passionate guardian of traditional cuisine. Moving from the screens of Videolina to Banari, he will lead us through an engaging live cooking show, followed by a tasting of his signature dish paired with a fine glass of local wine.
Tasting tickets are limited and will be available for purchase directly at the venue.
Following the cooking show, enjoy dinner in the square with either the Chef’s signature dish or a meal from the Banari Pro Loco stand.
Sunday’s dining experience highlights the Chef’s signature dish; therefore, the selection of food stands and the menu will differ from Saturday’s offerings.
A Tribute to Ornella Vanoni
Elisa Carta: vocals, harmonium Francesco Ogana: guitar
The finest songs by the queen of Italian music, enriched with stories and anecdotes from the book Vincente o perdente by Pacifico.
During the Festival, visitors can explore Carta Creations & Design, a space dedicated to art, culture, and design in the heart of Banari. The gardens of the historic Palazzo Tonca—the home and art studio of Maestro Giuseppe Carta—host his iconic Germinazioni (Germinations) sculptures, creating an oasis of peace and creativity that celebrates the wonders of Nature and the fertility of the Earth.
Opening hours during the festival: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM / 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday Night Dinner Menu
Appetizer
First corses
Second courses
Dessert
Sunday Menu
Lunch
Dinner
salude & trigu event
“SALUDE & TRIGU” is the Framework Programme of the Sassari’s Chamber of Commerce that “intervenes in the tourist enhancement of cultural events and traditions in Northern Sardinia, with the specific objective of creating new opportunities for development and growth for local enterprises. An innovative programme, which offers beneficiaries the possibility of enhancing traditional events from a systemic point of view, favouring their qualitative improvement.”
The “Sagra della Cipolla Dorata di Banari” is an event organized by Proloco Banari and financed by “SALUDE & TRIGU”. It’s included in the program of the 50 best events in Northern Sardinia: “50 opportunities to discover a world of culture, enogastronomy and enchanting nature.”
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we are waiting for you
For the Festival
Enjoy some photos from the previous editions!
Navigation
We are a non-profit tourist association that promotes the socio-cultural development of Banari, enhances the beauty of the area and brings to the square, natural place of aggregation, people. In addition to promoting social cohesion, we aim to manage and keep alive in time all those events that attract the outside world and contribute to creating economic value and increasing the territory culture, essential means of self-determination.
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Contact us
Email: prolocobanari@gmail.com
Pro Loco Banari APS | Sede legale: Via Eleonora d’Arborea 32, Banari (SS) – 07040 | Sede operativa: Via Trieste, ex scuola elementare, Banari (SS) – 07040 | C.F. / P.IVA: 02724510900 | PEC: proloco.info@pec.it
