Carnival Malta 2023/4

Who Else Wants To Enjoy Il-Karnival Ta' Malta

Date Last Updated: 4th March 2023

Carnival Malta is the oldest historical festival during the month of February, which is usually always held during this time as is the custom. Three main venues are held across the islands where it is celebrated in the streets of Valletta, Nadur, and Victoria Gozo.

This is one of the most popular events during February in Malta amongst other events being held during this month.

summer carnival in malta 2023

After the successful Carnival, Festivals Malta has announced that the summer Carnival will return between Friday 18th to Sunday 20th August 2023. Details haven't been announced yet.

Table of Contents - Carnival Malta 2024

when is Carnival in Malta 2024?

  • Friday 9th to Tuesday 13th February 2024
A carnival float in VallettaCarnival Float in Valletta

carnival in malta 2024 program

The program will be released closer to the date.

Program by Festivals Malta

Disclaimer: On our website, you will find affiliate links from which we receive a small commission.

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Carnival In Malta Locations

Carnival in Malta is always celebrated at the following locations. For this year it is slightly different. Please follow the program above.

Capital City, Valletta

  • Venue: At the capital city Valletta which is the biggest celebration on the islands
  • Location: Performances / stage / seating area – Palace Square in Republic Street
  • Valletta Defile: It starts from the road leading to Auberge de Castille moves along Merchant Street, turns to Archbishop street, then to Republic street where it continues all along up to the Triton Fountain outside of Valletta fortification walls.
  • Floriana Defile: Grand final is held on the last day in St Anne's Street.
  • Participation: Free for everyone along all the streets while the defile is in progress.
  • Parking: You can go to the MCP car park, or find parking in Floriana.
A float in Valletta during carnival in Malta during FebruaryColourful Float during a Parade in Valletta

Rabat & Victoria, Gozo

  • Venue: Rabat Gozo
  • Location: Independence Square and nearby streets.
  • Participation: Free for everyone.
  • Parking: Around the streets of Rabat or in its vicinity.

Nadur Village, Gozo

  • Venue: Nadur village, Gozo
  • Location: Main village square
  • Program: There us a variety of activities from children to adults.
  • Parking: Nadur might be closed, so you will need to find parking around the outskirts of Nadur or some parts where it will be open.

Transport for both Rabat and Nadur: If you are coming from Malta you have to prepare to come early with the ferry. Be prepared to queue for the boat for quite some time.

malta february carnival map

A woman dressed in a carnival costume in Malta

Questions about Carnival in Malta

When is Carnival celebrated in Malta?

Carnival Malta is always celebrated before Ash Wednesday. It always starts the Friday before till the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

What is Malta's popular sweet during Carnival?

During carnival you will find what is called a Prinjolata coming from the word Prinjol meaning Pine Nuts. It is a famous delicious Maltese dessert cake especially prepared for these occasions.

Where is Carnival Malta celebrated?

There is the Valletta Malta carnival. You can also go to Gozo where you can visit the village of Nadur which is popular for its spontaneous carnival. At Rabat Gozo there are also a full program of activities along the five days of the activities.

What does Carnival mean?

Carnival is a festival that happens yearly, always before Lent commences. It is a festival where people dress up in colourful costumes.

What is the meaning of Carnival?

The name carnival is derived from the Italian phrase ‘Carne vale’, which means ‘meat is allowed’. Since up to the day before lent meat could be consumed, then during the forty days of lent, meat was not consumed during meals.

What is the weather like during the month of February?

February is a very cold month so thick warm clothes are recommended. Normally during the carnival season it tends to rain so umbrellas and rain coats are recommended.

See a more detailed look at the weather in Malta in February.

The carnival Malta defile in Republic Street Valletta

Carnival Costumes Malta

There are many shops in Malta that offer carnival costumes. Visit their store or see what they have online.

You will notice several people especially children dressed in fancy costumes and adults impersonating popular characters attracting the attention of the crowd making the atmosphere livelier.

Here are some suggestions

floats during carnival

It is well expected by numerous enthusiasts, cause for several months before artistic companies prepare their extravagantly artistic coloured floats which are erected on lorries and trailers, costumes and dances.

It is a deep traditional merry making aspect of the population that attract your attention with their artistic imagination and colours apart from the mingling of ideas interwoven within the same float.

In the evening during the defile’ another aspect of the floats emerge when they are lit up with LED lighting changing the dimension of the float to a different atmosphere of colours.

Take the opportunity to enjoy these occasions with your family especially with your children.

The origins of Carnival

Carnival Malta dates back to the time of the Knights of St. John when Grand Master Pietro de Ponte in 1535, just five years when they arrived in Malta making this festival almost 500 years old. It is always held during the week just before Ash Wednesday.

It is also said that back to the early 1400 carnival was celebrated locally. There are records showing directives issued by the Universita’ authorities about the prices of meat to be sold during carnival.

But then during the time of the Knights it started to be held officially at Birgu since the knights had their Auberges and administrative buildings located here.

Nadur Carnival Gozo

Nadur Spontaneous Carnival is held every year attracting around 25,000 visitors especially youths who come over from Malta.

The most popular is the spontaneous defile’ held after sunset where everyone can participate and dress in all sort of costumes made up from any materials to imaginative ideas.

The streets are thronged with people wearing funny, grotesque masks to macabre masks and costumes.

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