Activities In Malta December 2020

Loads of exciting things to do during
Christmas celebrations in Malta

Date Last Updated: 21st November 2020

Activities in Malta December gives you exciting events that are held during the month of December and Christmas time.

Christmas in Malta is very a fun and jolly time! The Maltese love Christmas! Here too Christmas in Malta is one of the most important events of the year. 

If you visit Malta during this month you will find an abundance of Christmas activities. During this month all the Maltese houses, shops and streets will be decorated with Christmas trees, decorations and lights.

You will find many Maltese people already buying their Christmas presents and preparing for the many feasts with family and friends.

What will I find in Malta during Christmas time?

• Christmas Pantos
• Crib Exhibitions
• Christmas Concerts
• Christmas Markets
• Fund Raising Activities
• Live Crib Exhibitions

All churches in Malta and Gozo celebrate the midnight mass starting on the 24th December around 23:00 with a pageant, carol singing and the traditional talk by a young child about the birth of Christ. Afterwards a mass is held. If you intend to go you must be there early since the churches will be packed with the locals.

One of the main and most important activities during this month is the L-Istrina. This is a fund raising activity organised by the Malta Community Chest Fund in aid of helping people in need of urgent medical care. It is usually held on the 26th December on all local Maltese television stations running for 12 hours which succeeds to collect €7,134,036 (2018).

Around Malta and Gozo there are various crib exhbitions. The two most popular ones are the Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem Gozo and Presepju Haj in Lija. Both are live animated cribs with many locals dressed in costumes which takes you back in time to the Judea time around 2000 years ago.

Prepare to embrace the spirit of Christmas in Malta by walking around Valletta which will be fully decorated and full of Maltese people having a lovely time.

As the last day of the year approaches, Malta celebrates with parties, fireworks, get togethers and a live stage at Valletta with the countdown to the new year.

Malta Public Holidays:

• 8th - Immaculate Conception
• 13th - Republic Day

Malta Village Feasts in December:

• 8th - Immaculate Conception, Bormla (Cospicua) | Immaculate Conception, Qala & Rabat Gozo
• 9th - Santa Lucija, Santa Lucija, Gozo
• 13th - St. Lucy, Mtarfa
• 16th - Santa Lucia, Kercem, Gozo

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Bonus: Christmas In The City 2020

Although Valletta will not have usual celebrations, there will be different events on several days. All necessary safety measures are taken.

• Organiser: Valletta Cultural Agency
• Venue: Valletta
• When: Friday 2oth November to 1st January 2021

Valletta Cultural Agency Website
Facebok Page

1. Christmas & New Year's

Christmas is highly celebrated in Malta and Gozo.

• Location: Malta & Gozo
• When: Tuesday 1st December 2020 to Wednesday 6th January 2021

2. The Malta International Christmas Festival

This festival will be held in Valletta and other locations. Participating international bands, majorettes folk groups and others.

• Organiser: Euroart production
• Venue: Valletta & other venues
• When: TBA

3. L-Istrina

Collection of funds to help Philanthropic institutions and many individuals with different medical needs.

• Organiser: Malta Community Chest Fund
• When: Saturday 26th December 2020
• Time: 12:00 - 24:00

4. Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem 2020-21

A good number of volunteers every year over a snap of a few months put up the timeless story of the Nativity which comes to life at Bethlehen F’Ghajnsielem, Gozo. Spread over an area of 20,000 square metres taking visitors back 2000 years. It is just located 10 minutes walk from the Gozo ferry at Mgarr. It draws thousands of people every year located at the Għajnsielem main square and the open countryside between the village and main road.

It is a life-size crib with 150 volunteers from young to old from this village and others around the island where they create an exceptional atmosphere with shepherds tending their flock, carpenters, horses turn mills and surely the Nativity scene with Mary Joseph and Baby Jesus. It is an excellent opportunity to come along with your family and be part of this incredible activity.

Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem details

Organizers: An action committee between the Ministry of Gozo and various Parish organizations of Ghajnsielem

• Where: Ta'Passi, Mgarr Road, Ghajnsielem
• When: TBA

Entrance: Free and no bookings are required
Free parking: Around the streets of Ghajnsielem
*animated by the Ghajnsielem Primary school children
**Adoration of the Magi & Closing Cermony

5. Presepju Haj 2020

• Where: Triq Robert Mifsud Bonnici, Hal Lija
• When: TBA

6. The Malta International Christmas Choir Festival

• Location: Various localities around the Maltese islands
• When: Friday 4th to Sunday 6th December 2020
• Website: www.facebook.com/maltachoirfestival/

7. Natalis Notabilis 2020

A very popular event and so successful that it draws the crowds with more than 80,000 visitors. This is enough to encourage you to participate in the next Natalis Notabilis held in the village of Rabat historical core. It is the biggest Christmas village you will find on the islands spread over 5 days turning this location into a Christmas wonderland.

Numerous stalls with a variety of local and foreign foods to stalls selling all sorts, a nativity trail, crib exhibition, choral concerts and outdoor performances. You will surely find something to nibble and buy not least meeting someone whom you know due to the numerous visitors.

Natalis Notabilis details

• Venue: Rabat
• When: Event is cancelled for 2020

8. Milied Melliehi 2020

Folk groups, bands, majorettes and more

• Organiser: Mellieha Local Council
• Location: Mellieha
• When: TBA
• Time: 19:00 to 23:00
• Phone: +356 2152 3230

9. Christmas at Pjazza Tigne

• Location: Tigne Point, Sliema
• When: TBA

10. New Year's Eve Parties in Malta

There are an abundance of parties held around the island.

Click here to see the list!

11. Valletta New Year's Eve Celebration

All the information below is of last year. We will update as they are available.

• Organiser: G7 Events
• Venue: Valletta
• When: Thursday 31st December 2020
• Time: 20:00 - 02:00
• Contact Details: +356 7976 7630

12. New Year's Eve In Gozo 2020

All the information below is of last year. We will update as they are available.

It is a great time being in Gozo for the New Year’s Eve festivities at the capital Victoria in the main square watching the spectacle of bands and singers animating the crowd. There is always a great atmosphere with so many people of all ages including families and young ones where entrance is free for all.

Many Maltese do go to Gozo on these days especially if it is close to a weekend although there are many shutdowns. If you intend eating close to the celebrations or nearby restaurants you have to book many days before. Locals tend to dine out both for the days around Christmas and new year.

details about NYE in gozo

• Featuring: DCapitals | Michela & Friends | JJoy | Mae | IVY WALLS | BennyGee
• Venue: Independence Square & St. Georges Square, Victoria, Gozo
• When: Thursday 31st December 2020
• Time: 21:30 onwards
• Entrance: Free

Malta Christmas Markets

Christmas Village 2020

• Venue: San Gorg Preca College Guardian Angel, Hamrun
• When: TBA

Christmas Village at Valletta Waterfront

• Organiser: Valletta Cruise Port
• Venue: Valletta Waterfront
• When: Saturday 28th November to Wednesday 6th January 2021
• Entrance: Free

Christmas Market

• Venue: Villa Rundle, Victoria, Gozo
• When: TBA

St. Julian's Christmas Market

This Christmas market will include entertainment, music, workshops, etc.

• Venue: St Julians Parish Church Parvis and Spinola Bridge.
• When: TBA
• Time: 6th: 15:00 - 22:00, 7th: 10:00 - 22:00, 8th: 10:00 - 20:00
• Entrance: Free

The Magro Christmas Family Fest

This Christmas market will include entertainment, music, workshops, etc.

• Venue: Savina Centre, L-Ghassara Street, Xewkija, Gozo
• Entrance: Free
  
• When: TBA

San Andrea School Christmas Market

• Venue: San Andrea School, Mgarr
• When: TBA
• Entrance: Free

Christmas Village

• Venue: Gozitano Agriculture Village, Xewkija, Gozo
• When: TBA

Food Stalls | Tastings | Mulled Wine | Kids Activities | Live Singing & Entertainment

Christmas Cribs

Cribs in Nadur

Where: Various places around Nadur (click the link below for exact locations)
When: TBA
Time: Monday to Sunday at 17:00

Click here for details about Locations of Cribs

Zejtun Mechanical Crib

Where: Triq Robert Mifsud Bonnici, Hal Lija
When: TBA
Time: 09:30 - 12:00 and 16:00 - 19:00
Entrance: Free

Other Activities

In Guardia Parade

A re-enactment of the Military parade in historical costumes.

Location: Fort St. Elmo, Valletta
When: Sunday 13th and 20th December 2020
Time: 11:00 - 11:45

Enjoy our Activities in Malta December list!