In Malta and Gozo, festas are village festivals and religious fairs. They are very important in the life of the Maltese as they celebrate the patron saint of each village. On this occasion you can admire fanfares, costumes, illuminations, processions of statues, fireworks and sublime decorations in the streets. They usually take place from Friday noon sharp, the first rockets are then fired, until Sunday evening at midnight. So don’t be surprised to hear fireworks in the morning or in the middle of the day, the purpose being to scare away the demons.
If you are looking for a party in bars and in bars and discos, this article on Paceville is for you.. Here we give you the 2023 calendar of local Maltese festivals and tips to enjoy them!
To sum up, these are very lively days (and evenings!) where Maltese people like to meet, dance, drink, eat… and celebrate their fervor among the inhabitants of the village.
And in order not to miss any of these typical festivities in Malta and Gozo, here is the indispensable calendar of the next festas, the name of the celebration and its place! You will be able to check if it corresponds to your dates of stay.
Malta’s festivities calendar for January
(Date – Name of the party, festas or Holiday – Village)
- 25 – Conversion of St. Paul, Mdina
- 29 – The Holy Family, Iklin
Holidays in Malta for February
- 10 – Paul’s Shipwreck, Valletta : OUR FAVORITE for its AMBIANCE !
Holidays in Malta For March
- 11 – Jesus of Nazareth, Sliema
- 13 – Saint Gregory the Great, Kercem
- 19 – St. Joseph, Rabat – Holiday
Malta village festival in April
- 8 – Our Lady of Sorrows – Processions organized in almost every village and town in Malta and Gozo
- 10 – Palm Sunday – Morning processions in most villages
- 15 – Good Friday
- 17 – Easter Sunday
TO SEE: EASTER FESTIVALS AND ESPECIALLY HOLY FRIDAY are extremely important in Malta and Gozo. Learn more here. - 17 – The Risen Christ, Pembroke
List of local festivals for May
- 1st – Publiju, Floriana
- 1st – Saint Joseph the Worker, Birkirkara – Holiday
- 9 – George Preca, Swatar
- 29 – The Annunciation, Tarxian
- 29 – Shipwreck of St. Paul, Munxar Gozo
- 29 – Feast of Saint Anthony, Birkirkara
Malta’s festivities calendar for June
- 5 – Our Lady of Fatima, Gwardamangia
- 5 – Anthony, Mgarr, Gozo
- 5 – Joseph, Ghaxaq
- 12 – Holy Trinity, Marsa
- 12 – Christ the Savior in the Eucharist, Ghasri Gozo
- 12 – Saint Philip of Agira, Haz-Zebbug Malta
- 16 – Christ the Savior in the Eucharist, Rabat Malta
- 19 – Sacred Heart of Jesus, Fontana Gozo
- 19 – The feast of Our Lady of the Lily, l-Imqabba
- 19 – Saint Catherine, Zejtun
- 22 – Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu, Gharb (Internal Feast)
- 26 – Saint John the Baptist, Xewkija, Gozo
- 26 – Our Lady of Lourdes, Qrendi
- 26 – Immaculate Heart of Mary, Burmarrad
- 26 – St George, Qormi
- 26 – St. Nicholas, Siggiewi : OUR FAVORITE ‘FESTA’ FOR ITS SOMPTUOUS PROCESSION !
- 29 – Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Mdina
- 29 – Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Nadur, Gozo
June 29 is a public holiday.
July Festas in Malta and Gozo
- 3 – Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Fleur-de-Lys
- 3 – Immaculate Conception, Hamrun
- 3 – Andrew, Luqa
- 3 – Paul, Rabat, Malta
- 3 – Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Sacro Cuor Parish, Sliema
- 3 – The Visit of Our Lady, Gharb, Gozo
- 10 – The Annunciation, Balzan
- 10 – Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Fgura
- 10 – Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Gzira
- 10 – Our Lady of Help (Sokkors), Kercem, Gozo
- 10 – Joseph, Kirkop
- 16 – Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta
- 17 – San Sebastian, Qormi
- 17 – Saint George Martyr, Rabat, Gozo
- 17 – Joseph, Msida
- 17 – Joseph, Kalkara
- 17 – Our Lady of the Holy Doctrine, Tarxian
- 24 – Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Zurrieq
- 24 – Margaret, Sannat, Gozo
- 31 – Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Balluta
- 31 – Saint Anne. Marsascala : A MUST SEE !
- 31 – Christ the King, Paola
- 31 – Santa Venera, Santa Venera
- 31 – Our Lady of Sorrows, Baie Saint-Paul : A MUST SEE !
- 31 – Laurence, San Lawrenz, Gozo
- 31 – Our Lady of Pompeii, Marsaxlokk
- 31 – Joseph, Zebbug
List of August festivals in Malta and Gozo
- 6 – Christ Our Savior, Lija: OUR FAVORITE FIREWORKS!
- 7 – Saint Peter in chains, Birzebbuga
- 7 – Joseph, Qala, Gozo
- 7 – Our Lady of Lourdes, San Gwann
- 7 – Saint Dominic, Valletta
- 7 – San Gejtanu, Hamrun
- 10 – Laurence, Birgu (Vittoriosa)
- 15 – The Assumption of Our Lady: Mqabba | | Qrendi | of Mosta Gudja Attard | Ghaxaq Victoria (Rabat), Gozo | Birkirkara Hal-Muxi Zebbug
- 21 – Saint Pius X, Santa Lucija
- 21 – The Assumption of Our Lady, Zebbug, Gozo
- 21 – Assumption of Our Lady, Mgarr
- 21 – Saint Helena of Constantinople, Birkirkara
- 21 – Our Lady of Lourdes, Paola
- 21 – Our Lady Star of the Sea, Stella Maris Parish, Sliema
- 28 – Assumption of Our Lady, Dingli
- 28 – Leonard, Kirkop
- 28 – Saint Dominic, Birgu (Vittoriosa)
- 28 – Our Lady of Loreto, Ghajnsielem, Gozo
- 28 – Saint Bartholomew, Gharghur
- 28 – Maria Regina, Marsa
- 28 – Joseph, Manikata
- 28 – Conversion of Saint Paul, Safi
- 28 – Julian, St. John’s Julian’s
- 28 – Saint Augustine, Valletta, Santu Wistin Parish
Malta festival dates for September
- 4 – Saint Francis of Assisi, Qawra
- 4 – Saint Gregory the Great, Sliema
- 4 – Saint Catherine, Zurrieq
- 4 – Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Xlendi, Gozo
- 8 – The Nativity of Our Lady (National Holiday): Naxxar | Mellieha | Isla (Senglea) | Xaghra, Gozo : A MUST SEE!
- 11 – Our Lady of Grace, Zabbar
- 11 – Our Lady of Grace, Kapuċċini Rabat Gozo
List of village festivals in Malta in October
- 2 – Our Lady of the Rosary, Gudja
- 3 – Our Lady of the Belt, Santu Wistin Valletta
- 30 – Our Lady of the Belt, Gudja
Festas in Malta in November
- 13 – Saint John of the Cross, Ta’ Xbiex
December Festas in Malta and Gozo
- 8 – Immaculate Conception, Bormla (Cospicua) – Holiday
- 8 – Immaculate Conception, Ibrag – Holiday
- 8 – Conception of Saint Francis, Rabat Gozo
- 11 – Saint Lucia, Santa Lucija, Gozo
- 13 – Saint Lucia, Mtarfa
- 24 – New Year’s Eve, All over Malta and Gozo
- 13 – Christmas, All over Malta and Gozo
Source: Malta Info Guide
4 tips before going to a village party in Malta
- The main roads and squares of the village will be closed to traffic for most of the day. If you intend to go there by car, traffic is not allowed in these areas.
- Since many people attend the parties, pickpocketing is more at risk. If you take a camera, make sure you tie it around your neck. If you carry wallets and cell phones, make sure they are secure in your pockets.
- If your accommodation is near a village that has a festa during the time of your stay, expect to hear firework explosions early in the morning. The calendar is below to know if there will be a festa during your stay.
- Since most villages will have fireworks , you should stay away from them, especially the fireworks shows. Most of the time, aerial fireworks are shot from the outskirts of the village.
Common questions about Maltese festas
What is the best way to get to a festa?
- The best way would be by bus because you won’t have any hassle to find a parking. You will need to plan early. If you own or rent a car, we suggest that you do not leave late as many roads leading to the village will be closed and parking will be more difficult.
When is the best time to go to a Maltese village party?
- .. the best time is always during the summer, especially during the peak months of June to August.
Do many Maltese attend the parties?
- Yes, many Maltese attend the festivals, especially if one of their patron saints celebrates their feast day.
What will I find in a Maltese village party?
- First of all, you will find the main streets of the village decorated with pavilions and lights. Their parish church will be fully decorated inside and out. You will also see fireworks especially on the main holidays. On the feast day, which is usually a Sunday, most parishes will have a procession.
Malta’s village festivals at your fingertips. It is amazing how many foreign tourists wish to participate in the local Maltese religious festivals.
