Christmas Crib Events in Malta 2025

Live Christmas Nativity Scenes In Malta And Gozo

Last Updated: 4th November 2025

Christmas crib events in Malta are one of the island's most cherished holiday traditions, celebrating the spirit of the season through creativity, devotion, and community. Known locally as the Presepju Malta, these nativity displays range from simple home setups to elaborate village displays featuring handcrafted figures, detailed miniature towns, and even live re-enactments.

The cribs tell a unique story, often blending Maltese culture with Biblical elements. The displays are a heartwarming way to enjoy Malta's festive charm and discover how locals celebrate Christmas.

Related Page: See Events During Christmas in Gozo

Christmas Crib Events In Malta 2025

Bethlehem F'Għajnsielem Live Crib
In Praesepio: The Living Nativity in Nadur
Valletta Crib
Zejtun Crib
Nativity Scene by Jean Paul Portelli
Il-Qala Tissaħħar Bil-Presepji
Festo Christi Natalico
Is-Seħer Tal-Presepju
Wirja Ta’ Presepji, Dijorami u Biċċiet Tal-Arti

The Maltese are very fond of cribs. It is very common to find them in houses, schools, organizations, and public areas. Most of them have been created by Maltese, either by family members, or bought from a local shop. They are usually made to measure with specific requirements of size whilst reflecting the tastes of the individual.

In various villages in Malta, there are Christmas crib enthusiasts who open up their houses to invite people to view their Christmas nativity set complete with landscape and, scenery and made with pain staking dedication over many months and may be years.

If you are visiting Malta, some of these cribs could be exhibited at the official Malta Tourist Authority annual exhibition held at it premises in Republic Street, Auberge D’Italie.

1. Bethlehem F'Għajnsielem 2025

Since 2008, a live crib has been created on the outskirts of the village covering 20,000 square metres of land, where 150 volunteer actors from the village participate in a number of vignettes which recreate the life in Bethlehem 2000 years ago.

It is situated very close to the Harbour of Mgarr from where the Gozo ferry crosses between the islands. Thousands of visitors both tourists and Maltese purposely cross over to Gozo to tour the live crib.

They are attracted by the natural atmosphere which is very unique - horses turning mills, villagers doing different jobs, like carpenters, cooking, feeding animals, shepherds living in a cave and children playing with the most simple things of the time. And not the least attraction is the crib with Joseph and Mary with a real live baby lying in a cradle of wood and straw surrounded with animals.

This is an opportunity not to be missed especially if you happen to be in Gozo during this time. There are selective days when it is open. It is important to find the schedule of days and time when it will be open for the public.

Location: Ta Passi' fields in Ghajnsielem, Gozo
Organisers: Għajnsielem Local Council
Entrance: Free

December 2025

Sunday, 14th December 2.30pm - 7.00pm;
Wednesday, 17th December 9.30am - 12.00pm; (School students edition)
Saturday, 20th December 4.00pm - 7.30pm;
Sunday, 21st December 3.00pm - 7.00pm;
Thursday, 25th December 4.00pm - 7.00pm;
Friday, 26th December 2.30pm - 7.00pm;
Saturday, 27th December 4.00pm - 7.30pm;
Sunday, 28th December 3.00pm - 7.00pm;

January 2026

Thursday, 1st January 3.00pm - 7.00pm;
Friday, 2nd January 3.00pm - 7.00pm;
Sunday, 4th January 2.00pm - 7.00pm (Adoration of the Magi)

Check out more details here

2. In Praesepio: The Living Nativity in Nadur

The Friends of the Crib, Nadur Section organizes a live crib and a crib exhibition with the aim of keeping traditions alive. The Christmas story can be enjoyed and experienced through a peaceful, traditional local village environment. Utilising a local old Gozitan house over three hundred years old surrounded with several gardens.

Around 100 re-enactors take part to create various scenes, especially the nativity scene, which is the central attraction. This is an occasion for the local people to unite their different crafts and build such an original setting.

This is an opportunity for visitors to see the local talent where the Friends for the Crib succeed to unite a variety of persons from the village with different crafts, age adn ideas.

It starts from around the third week of December. The exact dates can be found on the Activities December page as soon as they are available.

The crib exhibition takes place at the offices of the local council in Triq it-Tramuntana.

Location: 54, Dar Dun Franġisk Grima Triq It-Tiġrija Nadur, Gozo
Organisers: Għaqda Ħbieb Tal-Presepju Nadur
When: Tuesday 9th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026
Time: 18:00 - 21:30
Entrance: Free

Check out more details here

3. Valletta Crib

The Valletta Christmas crib is one of Malta’s most charming festive displays, set against the backdrop of the capital’s historic streets. Each year, the city showcases beautifully crafted nativity scenes — from traditional Maltese-style cribs with limestone houses and local figures to more artistic interpretations. Some are displayed in shop windows, churches, and cultural centers, while others form part of special exhibitions.

Location: Valletta
When: TBC

4. Zejtun Crib

This mechanized nativity crib has welcomed visitors since 1947 at the Jesus of Nazareth Institute, Malta's first. It is now maintained by his nephew, Joseph Pavia (with costumes sewn by the Sisters of the Missionary Congregation of Jesus of Nazareth), which was conceived by Mgr Bishop Emmanuel Galea and engineered by Paul Pavia. With moving figures, the display illustrates the Gospel scenes using recycled materials.

Location: Jesus of Nazareth Institute, Zejtun
Entrance: Free (donations appreciated)
When: TBC

A Selection of Christmas Cribs in Gozo

Gozo, although a small island, offers several Christmas markets for you to participate in and enjoy during the Christmas period, despite its size.

4. Nativity Scene by Jean Paul Portelli

Location: Nadur Pjazzetta, Pjazza l-Arcipriet Martin Camilleri Nadur, Gozo
Organisers: Society of Christian Doctrine Museum – Nadur
When: Tuesday 9th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026
Time: 18:00 - 21:00
Entrance: Free

Check out more details here

5. Il-Qala Tissaħħar Bil-Presepji

Location: Qala Parish Church Triq In Nadur Qala, Gozo
Organisers: Għaqda Armar San Ġużepp – Qala
When: Saturday 13th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026
Time: 17:00 - 19:00 (Different times for Sundays and public holidays)
Entrance: Free

Check out more details here

6. Festo Christi Natalico

Location: 54, Dar Dun Franġisk Grima Triq It-Tiġrija Nadur, Gozo
Organisers: Għaqda Ħbieb Tal-Presepju Nadur
When: 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 25th - 28th, 30th, 31st December 2025 and 1st to 4th January 2026
Time: 17:30 - 19:30
Entrance: Free

Check out more details here

7. Is-Seħer Tal-Presepju

Location: St. Joseph Band Club Triq J. F. De Chambrai, Għajnsielem, Gozo
Organisers: Għimmanu-El Għaqda Presepisti Għajnsielem Għawdex Malta
When: Saturday 13th December 2025 to Monday 5th January 2026
Time: 17:30 - 20:30 (Only on some days 10:00 - 12:00)
Entrance: Free

Check out more details here

8. Wirja Ta’ Presepji, Dijorami u Biċċiet Tal-Arti

Location: Kunvent Santu Wistin St Augustine Square Victoria, Gozo
Organisers: Għaqda Ħbieb Tal-Presepju Għawdex – Malta 1985
When: Saturday 13th December 2025 to Monday 5th January 2026
Time: 09:00 - 12:00 & 16:00 - 20:00
Entrance: Free

Check out more details here

9. List of static cribs for 2025 in Gozo

Mr. Ezechiel Grima
Location: Kazin banda Victoria, Triq Maria Bambina, Ix-Xagħra
Mobile: 7956 0608

Mr. Julian Refalo obo Parroċċa Xaghra
Location: Ċentru tal-Vocazzjonijiet, Triq Ġuzeppi Diacono, Ix-Xagħra
Mobile/Telephone: 7956 5444/27392039

Mr. Raymond Bonello
Location: 24, Qasam ta' Dun Anton, Ix-Xagħra
Telephone/Mobile: 2156 3457/99450523

Fr. Joe Said obo Knisja Gesu Nażżarenu, Ix-Xagħra
Location: Centru Knisja Gesu Nażżarenu, Triq Gnien Xibla, Ix-Xaghra
Mobile: 7960 2424

Mr.Mario Buttigieg
Location: 51, Triq Grunji, In-Nadur
Mobile/Telephone: 2755 5319/7926 1035

Mr. Jean Paul Portelli obo MUSEUM Subien Nadur
Location: Triq San Ġorg Preca, In-Nadur
Mobile: 7928 4419

Mr. Julian Portelli
Location: Under the parish church of San Pietru u San Pawl, in the Square of Nadur.
Mobile: 7920 4755

Mr. Andrew Muscat obo Għaqda Armar, Triq Diċembru 13, In-Nadur
Location: Pupu's Bar, Triq Diċembru 13, In-Nadur
Mobile: 9910 1957

Mr. Herman Mifsud
Location: 'Malverno', Pjazza Madonna ta' Loreto, Għajnsielem
Telephone/Mobile: 2156 6850/7992 3134

Mr. Joseph Meilaq
Location: Garage in Triq il-Ġnien, Għajnsielem (hdejn 'Bianconero')
Mobile: 7927 9305

10. List of Mechanical Cribs For 2025, Gozo

Mr. Joseph Attard
Location: 'Imsieme', Triq is-Sagħtar, Victoria
Telephone/Mobile: 2155 9126/7920 4759

Mr. Karl Attard
Location: 29, Triq Qalb ta' Ġesu', Victoria
Telephone/Mobile: 2156 3306/7929 7038

Nicholas Cardona
Location: 29, Triq It-Trux, L-Għarb
Mobile: 9914 7244

11. List of Cribs in House Windows For 2025, Gozo

Mr. Francesco Bonello
Location: 'Sunset Court', Vjal it-Tmienja ta' Settembru, Ix-Xagħra
Telephone/Mobile: 2156 3457 / 7909 4078

Mr. Andre' Cassar
Location: 52, Dar il-Merin, Triq l-Għejun, Ix-Xagħra
Mobile: 7900 1005

Mr. Fabio Azzopardi
Location: 50, Triq it-Tiġrija, Ix-Xagħra
Mobile: 9925 8629

Mr. Eric Azzopardi
Location: 'Topaz', Triq Ta' Brieret, Ix- Xagħra
Telephone/Mobile: 2156 5644 / 7929 4554

Mr. Aaron Aqius
Location: 'Coronation Court', Vjal it-Tmienja Ta' Settembru, Ix- Xagħra
Mobile: 7942 0486

Mr. Charles Aaron Portelli
Location: 'Anthony House', Triq Grunju, In-Nadur
Mobile: 7928 4419

Mr. Jean Paul Portelli obo Kunsill Lokali Nadur
Location: Pjazza San Pietru u San Pawl, In-Nadur
Mobile: 7928 4419

Mr. Toni Sammut
Location: 59, Triq it-Tiġrija, In-Nadur
Mobile: 9924 7041

Mr. Anthony Said obo Ġħaqda Ħbieb tal-Presepju, Sezzjoni Nadur
Location: 54, Dar Dun Franġisk Grima, Triq it-Tiġrija, in-Nadur
Mobile: 7921 0232

Check out more details here

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