Christmas In Malta

Malta At Christmas Transformed Into A Living Village Of Religious Traditions And Folklore

Christmas in Malta is fun and jolly, and it holds a special place in people’s hearts. Christmas is a time for giving and receiving. In Malta, Christmas is one of the year's most important events. It affects everything we do.

The year's most jam-packed month, with preparations starting early. You can find everything to suit your taste: festive-themed parties, local theatre pantomimes, Christmas markets, many crib exhibitions, especially the one at Bethlehem Ghajnsielem, carol singing, and religious events.

A traditional large Christmas crib with large Maltese Christmas crib characters

What the Maltese do on Christmas Eve?

As in all other countries, people are working, or many are on shutdown. Children and students are on holiday as schools are closed. Restaurants and hotels are aiming for great sales and great attendance.

Those who are working try to return home as early as possible. Many will be at home preparing food for Christmas lunch.

Many would have taken the opportunity to travel abroad or go to a hotel in Malta or Gozo. The sister island has always been attractive for a short vacation due to its serene ambience.

In the evenings, many people prepare to go to church for the evening Christmas celebrations. After Christmas Eve Mass, people usually have an early-morning breakfast at a hotel or meet at a family's.

Christmas Day in Malta

Christmas Day is a public holiday in Malta, as in many other countries. It is a dedicated family gathering where families meet at each other's houses for lunch, or at a restaurant or hotel with an extravagant buffet.

If you will be in Malta for Christmas, check our Christmas dining in Malta guide and book your preferred restaurant or hotel in advance. At the same time, some restaurants are closed on this day.

Lunches at family homes extend into late afternoon, with tea and pastries, and are for exchanging presents. Evenings are for youngsters, who meet at bars like Paceville, since bars and clubs are most likely open on this day.

The entrance to the capital city of Valletta in Malta during Christmas time

Malta New Year's Eve

New Year’s Eve is different from the intimate Christmas Day. It is merriment at its best. The Maltese love celebrating, and it is easy to observe it if you are here. Parties at home, clubbing, large street parties, and fireworks.

In Valletta, a great public street party is held, with a concert and a midnight fireworks display. Plenty of New Year's Eve events take place across the island.

The most active localities in Malta are Valletta, St. Julian's, and the Paceville area. In Gozo, the capital is Victoria, where an outdoor concert features local bands entertaining the public.

New Year's Day in Malta

This day is the opposite of the day before. Many stay asleep because they went to bed very late. On this day, people eat lunch out or at home. Families who didn't meet on Christmas Day meet today.

The streets are relatively empty in the morning. They get busier later on. People attend Mass in greater numbers at various hours. If the weather is beautiful, people will go for walks in the countryside. They will probably go back home earlier. Youngsters will visit Paceville again for drinks and to meet friends.

This day almost brings the end of the long festivities.

Christmas decorations in Malta are very popular in villages like this one at Tarxien

Weather during Christmas Season

Everyone asks this question. The Maltese weather is much milder than the generally cold weather in Europe. It is generally sunny with clear skies.

As winter approaches, temperatures dip month after month. Humidity will be fairly high, and when windy, it will feel colder. Winds can be light but also gust up to force 6. By December, everyone will be dressed in warmer clothes.

The days around the festivities will be warm, but that does not mean they will be sunny; they can be cloudy with chilly winds. Or rainy, but the sun does not forget us.

It is not rare to see tourists in T-shirts. December weather is ideal for countryside walks. Everything is green. The sun is hot but will not burn you out.

Decorating village centres like the one at Lija is a popular Christmas tradition in Malta

Things to See and Do at Christmas Time

If you plan to come the week of Christmas, you can attend any religious functions. They are held at all the village parish churches and draw large crowds.

All over the villages and communities, organised functions, concerts, pantomimes, and crib exhibitions will be at full swing during this week. We have put up a detailed list of a variety of religious and social activities. Have a look; this is not an exhaustive list, as we try to highlight some of the main ones.

Valletta is being transformed into a Fairland Santa's City for the second time. Following the previous event, Malta's capital city will be transformed into Santa's city, bringing Christmas spirit to adults and children.

The unique Christmas Magic at Popeye's Village Theme Park, also known as the Popeye Village film set. It is turned into Santa's village. Many young and older visitors enjoy the many activities throughout several days in December.

The live crib at Ghajnsielem, Gozo. Spread out on an area of 20,000 square metres, with 150 actors residents of Ghajnsielem and many others join in to wear period costumes going back to 2000 years, where the Christmas story of Baby Jesus comes to life.

Many Christmas markets have flourished all over the islands. The biggest is in the village of Rabat, beside Mdina, and runs for several evenings in the open air.

A visit to the capital city, Valletta, is a must; its streets are lit up, and its shops are decorated. In December, many locals visit Valletta to buy presents for family and friends. The capital hosts various activities during this month.

Another very local tradition is the Christmas nativity scene, where you can see a wide variety of cribs exhibited in many villages in families' homes. They open doors for visitors, even at several band clubs and associations. As you go around the island, keep an eye out for homemade signs on roadsides pointing to crib exhibitions. They prepare them months in advance, with an artistic touch.

Here are more activities you can do in December, such as pantomimes, concerts, festivals, carol singing, and more. You can also explore our Events in Malta calendar for celebrations throughout the year.

A house decorated during December for Christmas time at the village of Naxxar

Shopping During Christmas Time

The best shopping locations Valletta and Sliema. Valletta Republic Street is the main road as you enter the capital, running across the bridge through the fortifications. Parallel to it is Merchants Street, along with all the side streets around these two main roads.

Most shops in the Sliema area are along the seafront promenade and in the surrounding area. The most prominent are the shopping plazas, very central and easy to reach.

This area sits in front of the sea jetty, where cruises leave for Comino, and beside the sea ferry terminal. We also recommend shopping at the Tigne’ Point shopping centre, which is located further along the promenade.

Malta Christmas ornaments being sold at one of the Christmas markets held in Malta

Where Should You Stay during Christmas time?

Wherever you stay, Malta is small, and public transport is frequent, but it still takes a substantial amount of time to travel between certain locations. If you want to be in the centre, we recommend Valletta and Sliema.

Valletta is the best place if you want to be in a central area with beautiful Christmas light decorations. Here, you'll find tourist accommodations ranging from 5-star deluxe hotels to boutique hotels and apartments.

Sliema is the next place, with many shops, restaurants, and bars. To be honest, we don't think the decorations in Sliema will impress you. Many villages and towns around the island have beautiful decorations in their central areas around the main village churches, squares, and streets.

Bugibba is a more central place to stay. In winter, it is quieter and beautiful for long walks along the beachfront.

Christmas in Malta - The entrance of Mdina decorated for Christmas

Public Holidays During December

In December, there are two public holidays: 8th December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and 13th December, when the Maltese celebrate Republic Day. Apart from the two public holidays, there is a bank holiday on 26th December.

Because they fall close to Christmas, many people use these holidays, especially if they fall during the week, to start or finish their shopping.

Many shops stay open later than usual because they expect more customers. Beyond shopping, people keep decorating their houses and start cooking sweets.

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We are Albert and Benjamin Magro, two Malta locals who enjoy exploring the island and sharing practical advice with visitors. Our guides combine local knowledge with first-hand visits to Malta's towns, beaches, attractions and accommodation areas. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for more Malta tips, photos and videos.

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