Christmas activities in Malta bring together markets, concerts, food, and traditions that reach across both islands.
The season is rooted in ritual as much as celebration.ย Decorative lights, illuminated gardens, and local cribs add a different story in every town, making December one of the most atmospheric times to visit.
Explore the full guide and plan your next Christmas holiday in Malta.
Where to Stay in Malta for Christmas
Christmas activities in Malta feel different depending on where you wake up each morning.
Valletta puts you in the middle of lights and music.
Sliema and St Julians keep the sea always in sight, with long promenades and lively evenings.
The Three Cities let you breathe in the slower rhythm of history while still seeing the capital across the water.
Rabat and Mdina carry the weight of medieval walls and lantern-lit streets.
Gozo slows everything down, turning fields into biblical scenes during December.
Valletta
The Triton Fountain Square in Valletta is where most visitors start their Christmas holiday.
The square fills with wooden stalls, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink, and constant music through December.
If you book a room inside the old city, you can step outside and already be part of the crowd.
Valletta is compact, so everything is within walking distance. Markets, churches, concerts, and decorated streets are all packed into the same grid of narrow alleys.
Many hotels are inside restored palaces with stone walls and high ceilings, which adds a sense of history to your stay.
It is not the quietest option, but for anyone who wants to feel the energy of Christmas in Malta from morning to night, Valletta is the natural choice.
Hotels and Guesthouses in Valletta
- Casa Ellul โ boutique luxury inside a restored palace
- Iniala Harbour House โ high-end rooms with harbour views
- Palazzo Rosaria Boutique Hotel โ central location near Republic Street
- Osborne Hotel โ mid-range option with historic character
- The Melior Boutique Hotel โ modern rooms close to key sites
Sliema and St Julians
If you like the idea of being close to Valletta but want more space to move around, Sliema and St Julians are good options.
Both towns sit across the harbour, so you still get a view of the capital, but the atmosphere is different.
The seafront promenade stretches for several kilometers, which makes it perfect for an evening walk after a day of sightseeing.
December adds holiday lights along the path, and you will see plenty of families out at night.
Hotels here range from large modern resorts to small guesthouses. There are more choices at different price levels than you will find inside Valletta itself.
The ferry connects you to the capital in under 10 minutes, which is quicker than the bus, so you can spend the day at the markets and return for dinner by the water.
St Julians draws the younger crowd with its bars and late-night spots, while Sliema leans more toward cafรฉs, shopping streets, and families.
Hotels and Guesthouses in Sliema and St Julians
- AX The Victoria Hotel โ well-known mid-range choice
- Be.HOTEL โ modern option with central access to dining
- Gillieru Harbour Hotel โ classic seaside hotel with views
- 1926 Hotel & Spa โ boutique stay with spa facilities
- Cavalieri Art Hotel โ waterfront rooms with easy access to transport
The Three Cities
Birgu, Senglea, and Cospicua sit on the opposite side of the Grand Harbour, facing Valletta.
Life here moves at a slower pace, making the area a good choice for those who want to experience Christmas in Malta without the constant rush of the capital.
Narrow lanes lead down to the water, and in December, the streets are dressed with simple lights and small cribs in doorways.
Staying here also gives you easy access to Valletta.
The ferry takes you across to Valletta for the markets and concerts, and when you return, the Three Cities give you a calm evening by the harbour.
Malta in December can be lively, but the Three Cities remind you that it can also be calm and traditional.
Guesthouses and boutique hotels are set inside old townhouses, which keep the historic atmosphere while still giving you comfort.
Hotels and Guesthouses in the Three Cities
- Cugo Gran Macina โ luxury suites in Senglea
- BOCO Boutique Hotel โ character stay in Cospicua
- Locanda La Gelsomina โ boutique guesthouse in Birgu
- Senglea Suites โ small-scale local guesthouse
- Casa Birmula โ restored townhouse with authentic design
Rabat and Mdina
Mdina is known as the Silent City, and in December, that name makes sense. The narrow streets stay quiet at night, and the old stone walls give the town a calm, historic feel.
Just outside, Rabat is the complete opposite during the Christmas season. The streets fill with food stalls, music, and crowds for Natalis Notabilis, one of the largest Christmas markets in Malta.
Staying in this area gives you both experiences. You can spend the evening in Rabat with its busy holiday market, then walk back through the gates of Mdina for a quieter night inside the old walls.
It is a mix of history and celebration that makes Rabat and Mdina one of the best places to stay in Malta in December.
Hotels and Guesthouses in Rabat and Mdina
- Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux โ luxury stay inside Mdinaโs walls
- Point de Vue Guesthouse โ an affordable choice in Rabat
- Casa Azzopardi Guesthouse โ traditional Rabat lodging
- Adelphi Boutique Hotel โ modern style near historic streets
- Estrella Lodging โ budget-friendly rooms in Rabat
Gozo
Gozo has a slower rhythm than the main island, and that pace shapes how Christmas is celebrated here.
The highlight is Bethlehem f Ghajnsielem, a live nativity spread across open fields where locals act out daily life from two thousand years ago.
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Farmers bring animals, craftsmen show old trades, and families walk through the village as part of the story.
Beyond the nativity, towns and villages put up their own decorations.
Squares are lit, churches hold concerts, and the atmosphere is smaller in scale but warmer in spirit.
Choosing Gozo for part of your stay gives you quiet nights, countryside views, and a strong sense of tradition that feels different from the busier streets of Malta in December.
Hotels and Guesthouses in Gozo
- Grand Hotel Gozo โ convenient for ferry access
- The Duke Boutique Hotel โ stylish rooms in Victoria
- Hotel Ta Cenc & Spa โ luxury in Sannat with countryside views
- San Andrea Hotel โ seaside stay in Xlendi
- Mariblu Bed and Breakfast โ family-run guesthouse with local character
Christmas Markets in Malta
Christmas in Malta would not feel complete without its markets.
They pop up in city squares, seaside towns, and even village gardens, each with its own scale and style.
Valletta
The main market in Valletta takes over Triton Fountain Square.
@passportandgo โจFairyland christmas market ๐Valletta, Malta Dec 6 – Jan 5 ๐ #christmasinmalta #christmasmarket #marketinmalta #holidaythingstodo โฌ original sound – Pam | Travel | Lifestyle
Every December, the square fills with rides, food stalls, and a Ferris wheel as part of Fairyland – Santaโs City.
It is busy, noisy, and fun, especially in the evenings when families crowd in for food and music.
Rabat
Rabat hosts Natalis Notabilis, the largest Christmas market on the islands.
For about ten nights in December, the narrow streets are lined with wooden stalls, concerts run in the open air, and food vendors stay open late.
It is one of the busiest holiday events in Malta during December.
Mdina
Mdina keeps things smaller. Inside the walls of the Silent City, a modest market offers crafts and handmade decorations.
The pace is slower, and the setting gives the event more atmosphere than size.
Sliema
The promenade in Sliema becomes a long line of stalls during December.
The market ties into the townโs shopping streets, so you can spend the afternoon browsing stores and then walk along the seafront for food and live music.
Gozo
Gozo has several markets, with the best known at Villa Rundle Gardens in Victoria.
Wooden huts fill the park from late November up to Christmas Eve.
Smaller stalls also appear near Bethlehem f Ghajnsielem, adding to the experience of the live nativity.
Artisan Markets
Apart from the main towns, artisan markets appear across the islands.
Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar often hosts one, and other villages run weekend events where local makers sell crafts, food, and decorations.
Music and Concerts During the Christmas Season in Malta
Christmas in Malta is as much about sound as it is about lights.
Choirs rehearse in parish halls weeks before December, brass bands fill town squares, and church doors stay open for evening concerts.
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Music gives rhythm to the season, and the islands stage a wide range of performances, from large international festivals to small-town concerts tied to local markets.
Malta International Christmas Choir Festival
The Malta International Christmas Choir Festival is the biggest music event that happens before Christmas on the islands.
It lasts for a few days at the start of December and brings in choirs from different countries as well as local groups.
Instead of one big stage, the concerts are held inside churches across Malta.
That means you get to hear the music in baroque spaces with painted ceilings and strong acoustics that make the voices carry.
In 2024, more than thirty choirs took part, with performances in towns like Qormi, Ghaxaq, and ลปejtun.
Each parish has its own character, so listening to a choir in one of these places feels different from the next.
For 2025, the festival is set from 5 to 7 December.
It ends with a final concert that is streamed online, but being there in person adds a lot more.
You can hear the mix of voices, feel the space, and get the sense of how important music is in Christmas tradition.
The 12 Days of Christmas at Teatru Manoel
Teatru Manoel, one of the oldest theatres in Europe, opens its doors for a midday concert series called The 12 Days of Christmas.
From 19 December until 6 January, the theatre hosts daily performances by young Maltese musicians.
The concerts last about an hour, and you can catch one in the middle of the day before heading back out into the streets of Valletta.
Tickets are cheap, and the money goes to charity, which makes it easy to say yes.
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Local and Community Concerts
Not every concert in Malta at Christmas is a big production. Most towns put on their own music, and that is where you really feel the season.
Walk into a parish church on a December evening and you will probably find the local choir singing carols under garlands and lights.
Out in the village square, brass bands set up stages and play through the night while kids run around with sweets in hand.
Schools even open their doors for seasonal concerts, and the whole community shows up.
Sliema has a tradition of bringing its band club and childrenโs choirs together for a Christmas concert that feels more like a gathering than a show.
Over on Gozo, carol nights spring up in different villages, but the most memorable ones happen near Bethlehem f Ghajnsielem.
You hear the music while walking past the live nativity, and it makes the whole place feel like part of the story.
These are the moments that do not make headlines, but they give you the clearest picture of Christmas in Malta.
Traditional Christmas Food and Drinks in Malta
Food shapes the holiday season in Malta as much as lights and music. December tables carry a mix of old recipes and outside influences.
Markets sell warm snacks, cafรฉs fill with sweets, and family kitchens prepare heavier dishes for Christmas lunch.
Here are the ones you will see most often.
1. Imbuljuta tal-Qastan
A hot drink made with chestnuts, cocoa, cloves, and citrus peel.
Maltese families drink it after Midnight Mass and on New Yearโs Eve.
Markets in Valletta and Rabat serve it in steaming cups that carry a strong aroma of spice.
2. Qagฤงaq tal-Gฤงasel
Known as honey rings, although treacle is used for the filling.
The pastry is shaped into rings and stuffed with a mixture of treacle, semolina, and citrus.
Bakeries stock them all through December, and many homes prepare their own trays.
Looks like every country has its own special sweets that appear all over the place around Christmas. Just like Rabanada or Bolo de Rolo in Brazil.
3. Pudina tal-Milied
@loversfood233Puddina tal hobz , My favorite Maltese traditional treat made by Rose ๐น๐๐ฏโ ๐๐ dalghodu I to the oven we go โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธโฌ original sound – Rose ๐น๐น๐น
Bread pudding is a Maltese twist with cocoa, dried fruit, nuts, and sugar. It is heavy and sweet, often served after Christmas lunch.
Families pass down their own recipes, which makes every version a little different.
4. Timpana
A baked pasta pie made with macaroni and meat sauce wrapped in pastry.
The dish is rich and filling and often sits on the table next to roasted meats.
It shows how Maltese cooking mixes Italian roots with British influence.
5. Roast Turkey and Roast Pork
Roast turkey has become the main dish for many families, but pork is equally common.
Both are served with vegetables and wine sauces.
Restaurants offering festive menus usually give diners a choice between the two.
6. Rabbit Stew
Known locally as stuffat tal-fenek, this is Maltaโs national dish.
Families often serve it during December as part of a larger holiday meal.
It is cooked slowly with garlic, tomato, and wine, creating a thick sauce best eaten with bread.
7. Imqaret
Date-filled pastries fried until golden.
Sold in markets throughout December, often eaten hot on the spot.
They are usually paired with a cup of Imbuljuta for a simple but traditional treat.
Christmas Sweets
Almond biscuits, chocolate baci balls, and Christmas logs appear in bakeries across the islands.
Panettone has become part of the season as well, filling supermarket shelves and holiday tables.
Christmas Traditions in Malta
Christmas in Malta blends public celebration with private devotion.
Town squares light up, churches stay open late into the night, and families gather at home around tables filled with traditional food.
Malta in December feels both festive and deeply rooted in custom, with a rhythm that draws visitors into local life.
Midnight Mass
Midnight Mass remains one of the strongest traditions. Families fill the churches, and the service often features a sermon delivered by a child, a practice that goes back centuries.
The churches are decorated with cribs and garlands, and the sound of carols fills the night.
Cribs and Nativity Scenes
Cribs, or presepji, are the center of Maltese Christmas culture.
Every village sets up a large nativity display, and many homes build their own.
Some are small wooden stables, while others grow into detailed scenes with moving figures, flickering lights, and even streams of running water.
Walking through the towns, you will often see doors left open so neighbors and visitors can admire the cribs.
Bethlehem fโGhajnsielem
If you visit Gozo in December, you will hear about Bethlehem fโGhajnsielem before long.
Locals turn open fields into a live nativity, with men and women dressed as shepherds, farmers, and merchants.
Children chase goats, craftsmen weave baskets or bake bread, and families walk through as if they were stepping back two thousand years.
The event starts in early December and usually runs until the first week of January.
Crowds gather on weekends, and it feels less like a performance and more like a village coming alive for the season.
For many travelers, seeing Bethlehem fโGhajnsielem is the reason to include Gozo in their holiday plans, and it has become one of the defining sights of Malta in December.
Street Decorations and Village Life
Villages across Malta shine with light during December. Strings of bulbs stretch across streets, stars hang from balconies, and nativity scenes are placed in the middle of squares.
Brass bands play carols outside churches, and the sound drifts through the night air.
Markets set up near parish steps with stalls offering nougat, roasted nuts, and warm drinks.
Families take evening walks together, stopping for sweets or small gifts. Visitors blend in easily, as locals are quick with a greeting or smile.
Each town puts its own character into the decorations, yet the feeling is shared across the islands.
Malta in December turns everyday streets into places where neighbors and travelers celebrate side by side.
Family Traditions
@deckthehallsaroun Christmas Traditions in Malta: A Living Story of Faith and Community Christmas Christmas Traditions Christmas Around the World Christmas in Every Country Christmas Celebrations Christmas Around the Globe Holiday Traditions #Christmas #ChristmasTraditions #ChristmasAroundtheWorld #HolidayTraditions #ChristmasHistory โฌ original sound – deckthehallsaroundtheworld
Christmas Day in Malta is about sitting around the table with family.
Lunch is big and slow, with timpana baked in pastry, roast turkey or pork, sometimes rabbit stew, and plenty of sweets.
Honey rings and almond biscuits are passed around, and panettone has become part of the spread, too.
Later in the day, children open their presents.
In the evening, Imbuljuta tal-Qastan, the chestnut and cocoa drink, is served hot. The pace is unhurried, with food and conversation lasting for hours.
For anyone visiting Malta in December, sharing a meal with locals shows the holiday in its most genuine form.
Weather in Malta During December
Malta in December is gentle compared to most of Europe. Days often reach around 17 to 18 ยฐC (62 to 64 ยฐF), which makes walking through town squares or along the seafront very comfortable.
Nights cool down to about 11 to 13 ยฐC (51 to 55 ยฐF), so you will want a jacket when heading out for markets or evening concerts.
Rain is part of the season. On average, there are 12 to 14 wet days in December, usually short showers that clear to blue skies.
Sunshine lasts about five hours a day, enough to give afternoons a bright feel even when mornings start cloudy.
The sea holds steady at about 18 ยฐC (64 ยฐF). For most people, that feels too cold for swimming, though a few locals and hardy visitors still take a dip.
Coastal breezes make the air feel cooler, especially after sunset, so towns like Sliema and Marsaxlokk can feel brisk in the evenings.
| Daytime High | 17-18 ยฐC (62-64 ยฐF) | Mild for outdoor walks and sightseeing |
| Nighttime Low | 11-13 ยฐC (51-55 ยฐF) | Cool evenings, jackets needed |
| Rainy Days | 12-14 | Showers that pass quickly |
| Monthly Rainfall | ~100-110 mm | Damp streets, but not constant rain |
| Sunshine | 5 hours per day | Short days with bright afternoons |
| Sea Temperature | 18 ยฐC (64 ยฐF) | Too cold for most swimmers |
| Wind | Frequent breezes | Cooler feel along the coast |
The pattern for December 2025 is expected to stay the same.
Comfortable afternoons, cool nights, and occasional rain will set the tone.
Coastal winds may pick up at times, but you can still expect sunny breaks to enjoy markets and outdoor events.
What to Pack
Think in layers. A light sweater and jacket will cover most days, with a scarf or hat for breezy evenings.
Waterproof shoes are useful for wet streets, and an umbrella or light raincoat will save you during passing showers.
Heavy coats are unnecessary, but warm layers make evenings more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
Christmas in Malta is felt in the glow of village lights, the sound of choirs drifting out of old churches, and the taste of warm chestnut drinks at night.
December wraps the islands in celebration and tradition, with markets, music, and food carrying the season from one town to the next.
If you are choosing a place for your Christmas holiday, let it be Malta, as the islands have a way of turning visitors into part of the story.
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