Christmas and New Year in the Malta island country are a miracle in a Mediterranean paradise of glittering lights and merry carols and sunlit parties. The Maltese also boast of the strong Christian traditions and therefore the holiday season in Malta is one of the most culturally rich and heartwarming periods of the year. All the streets are lit up with festive decorations, the special midnight mass is celebrated in the churches, and the local markets are loaded with seasonal treats. You can be a traveler who wants to celebrate religion-related festivals, local culture, or you want to have a great New Year night out and visit Malta is sure to provide you with the best experience in the celebrations.

December in Malta is a very mild season compared to most parts of Europe and this makes it a perfect destination during winter to those tourists who want to relax and celebrate at the same time. Christmas and New Year in Malta is the best mix of relaxation and celebration because of the warm welcome, the beauty of the coast and centuries old tradition of the country. Nativity scenes and processions, grand fireworks and beachside parties will put a smile on all the faces of visitors to the Maltese islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino. In case you are planning your end of year holiday, Gokite Travel can assist you to come up with the best holiday itinerary to making the most of the Malta winter festivals and make each moment of your holiday a good one.

Book: Malta winter tour packages

Here is the Guide to Spend Christmas and New Year in Malta

1. Do the Magic Christmas in the Valletta

The capital city of Malta is called Valletta, which becomes a radiating heaven in the Malta holiday season. The Republic Street and Merchant Street are beautifully adorned and the Christmas tree just in front of the Parliament Building is the best place to take a photo. The performances in the choirs reverberate in the old churches, and the outdoor markets sell mulled wine, traditional sweets and local crafts.

Christmas in the City is one of the best events of the Christmas and New Year in Malta, a month-long event held in Valletta. Tourists will be able to listen to live music, street entertainers and light projections during festivals on old buildings. It is the best place to mix culture, heritage, and modern entertainment in a magic place.

2. Traditional Maltese Midnight Mass

The Christmas Eve is holy in Malta, and attending a Midnight Mass is an experience that one cannot afford to skip. The birth of the Christ is celebrated by a large number of locals who meet at churches throughout the island. The Maltese have a beautiful church architecture and whenever Malta winter celebrations are undergoing, the church spaces are decorated with lights, flowers and nativity scenes.

The most renowned one is the service in Co-Cathedral of the saint John in Valletta where hundreds of choirs sing carols in the vastly baroque interior. This night will open your heart even when you are not religious and you will be overwhelmed by the warmth and spiritual energy.

3. Explore the well known Maltese Nativity Scenes (Presepju)

The Christmas and New Year in Malta involve nativity scenes also referred to as Presepju. A unique nativity which in most cases is a handmade one is displayed in almost all households and also usually across generations. There are even towns that hold live nativity villages where live actors recreate the birth of Jesus.

The most famous of them is the “Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem on the island of Gozo. It is a big village-style live nativity that has actors, live animal programs and crafts. It is a wonderland of family and displays the richness of Malta festivities in winter.

4. Visit the Festive Christmas Markets

Christmas markets are only complete in Malta during the holiday season. The streets between Valletta and Sliema are lined with stalls of homemade ornaments, domestic wines, homemade chocolates and Maltese pastries such as qagħaq tal-għasel (honey rings).

Travelers are particularly fond of the Valletta Waterfront Christmas Market. It is full of spirit of the festivities with food stalls, music and family activities. The Sliema Ferries area is also worth a visit to do additional shopping and enjoy entertainment life. Gokite Travel suggests the following markets to be included to your list of places in order to feel the festive atmosphere of Malta with your very own hands.

5. Malta International Christmas Choir Festival

This festival is held every December and hosts choirs around the world to sing in the beautiful Malta churches and historical locations. The concerts are a blend of old and new Christmas carols and they are very soulful at the time of the year when the holiday season is in Malta.

It is the best occasion to listen to music and a good opportunity to appreciate the artistic Malta winter festivals.

6. Inhabit Maltese Christmas Food

Christmas is also a sensuous affair in Malta. A significant part is the traditional dishes that are represented in the Malta winter celebrations. The locals make roast turkey, baked potatoes and imqaret (date-filled pastries). There are also numerous restaurants that have festive menus which are well blended with Mediterranean and seasonal foods.

Not to be missed are the mince pies and Christmas log which are the sweets that are common in the bakeries on the island. A match with local wines or liqueurs makes these a really Maltese meal experience.

7. How to Spend the New Year Eve

Christmas and New Year in Malta are celebrated with unsurpassed zeal when it comes to ringing in the New Year. The most popular locations of the New Year celebrations are Valletta and St. Julian. Live concerts, outdoor parties and spectacular fireworks displays illuminating the night sky are to be expected.

St. Julian, its bars, night clubs are ideal places where people can party and dance throughout the night. At the same time Valletta provides family events such as countdowns in St. George Square, and live shows. Regardless of your fashion sense, the Christmas season in Malta makes sure that you can usher the New Year in a happy and thrilling manner.

8. Experience the Massive Fireworks Show

New Year is characterized by fireworks in Malta and it is no different on New Year Eve. The towns on the island are competing to have the best pyrotechnic shows. A spectacular display is the norm in the capital city of Valletta over the Grand Harbour which bounces off the sea.

To have a romantic stay in New York, it is advisable to plan a harbor cruise on the New Year Eve and enjoy the fireworks. It is among the most unforgettable Christmas and New Year in Malta.

9. Rest in Gozo after the Festivities

Having gone through all this, relax in Gozo, the sister island of Malta. Gozo is an ideal relaxation destination with its picturesque scenery, small picturesque villages with slow rhythm of life. You have a chance to see the beautiful churches, make scenic walks, or just relax at the picturesque island.

There are also the smaller, more traditional Malta winter celebrations in Gozo, which enables the tourists to explore the true face of the Maltese islands.

10. Family-Friendly Holiday Fun

When the families come to Malta during the Christmas and New Year, they have much to enjoy with everyone. The Popeye Village in Mellieħa, which is the film set initially, is turned into a Christmas wonderland with the workshop of Santa, games and live performances.

Hotels and resorts also have festive events involving children such as themed dinners, storytelling, etc. The Christmas season in Malta indeed unites families together by giving them the same traditions and happy moments.

Conclusion

Christmas and New Year in Malta is an experience that one cannot forget, with its culture, warmth and a feeling of joy. Since the old church services and the magic displays of nativity to the boisterous firework and beach parties, Malta is a perfect mix of the ancient world with the contemporary festivals. The island has it all during the holiday season in Malta whether you are going there to unwind or to party hard.

When you stroll the luminous Valletta streets or raise a glass to the New Year with the Grand Harbour in view, you will know why Malta has become such a magical place to celebrate the winter in Europe. Through the assistance of Gokite Travel, you will be able to experience the Malta winter celebrations in the best way possible and you are bound to have a smooth sailing holiday. This Christmas and New Year can be made really special because you can find the magic behind Malta where any celebration will be considered as a home.