Celebrate Christmas 2022 in Malta with these 10 events
It may not be a White Christmas in Malta – however, the Christmas spirit will still be around nevertheless! If you find yourself to be away from home this festive season, you certainly won’t miss out on any events happening around Malta where you will feel the magic of Christmas.
Christmas in Malta is celebrated in a grand style. From decorated homes, to street lights, to festivals dedicated to the festive season, there’s no doubt the holiday cheer is present on our islands!
Can’t decide where to go yet? This blog post will be your guide to a selection of unmissable events and things to do in Malta this Christmas.
The activities coming next are suggestions what to do during the festive season, this needs an introduction.
Below is a list of events:
- The Magical Illuminated Trail – 25th November 2022 to 7th January 2023
- The Malta international Christmas Choir Festival – 1st to 4th December 2022
- The Nutcracker – 2nd to 4th December 2022
- Fairyland – Santa’s City – 8th December 2022 to 6th January 2023
- Christmas Market at Pjazza Tigne – 10th to 13th December 2022
- TOI TOI Kids: Carols at Christmas – 10th and 11th December 2022
- Rock ‘n Roll Christmas – 12th and 13th December 2022
- Betlehem f’Ghajnsielem – 13th December 2022 to 8th January 2023 (selected days)
- Jack & the Beanstalk – the Rock ‘n Roll Panto – 26th December to 30th December 2022
- Valletta NYE 2023 – 31st December 2022
1. The Magical Illuminated Trail - 25th November 2022 to 7th January 2023
Where: Verdala Palace, Buskett, Rabat
From 25th November 2023 to 7th January 2023, Verdala Palace in Buskett will host a light show, which is described as “a spectacular walkabout journey through the walkways of one of Malta’s National Historic Gems”. Once again, this event will consist of larger-than-life sculptures and not to mention, a brand-new Christmas Village, where you can purchase Christmas décor, food and drink and of course Christmas treats for the whole family to enjoy.
This event is ideal for those who love selfies and colourful lights. It will take place outdoors, so you must dress up for the chilly nights!
Book your tickets here.
2. The Malta international Christmas Choir Festival – 1st to 4th December 2022
📍Where: Various locations in the South of Malta (Cospicua, Kalkara, Senglea, Zabbar, Vittoriosa)
Sicilian-based EuroArt Productions, in collaboration with Leon Promotions Malta, will present the third edition of The Malta International Christmas Choir Festival. It will be held between the 1st and 4th December 2022 in various locations around the Maltese Islands.
Various choirs will participate in this festival, ranging from male, female, youth, gospel to folk choirs.
For further information click here.
3. The Nutcracker – 2nd to 4th December 2022
📍Where: University of Malta Valletta Campus Theatre, Valletta
“Every year at Christmas, snowflakes fall like a sweet winter dance. One Christmas Eve, young Clara receives a nutcracker; an inanimate puppet, which she holds tightly as she falls asleep. Drifting into a dream world, all her toys magically come to life and take her to an enchanted world full of sparkle, joy and colour.” (ShowsHappening Malta, 2021)
Moveo Dance Company will once again present ‘The Nutcracker’ between the 2nd and 4th of December, which will combine the magic of choreography to Tchaikovsky’s unmistakable music. The classic story will be brought to life in an unforgettable performance which will create magical memories for the whole family!
The show will take place at the University of Malta Valletta Campus Theatre and tickets can be purchased here.
4. Fairyland – Santa’s City - 8th December 2022 to 6th January 2023
📍Where: Triton Square, Valletta
This year, you will be able to feel the magic of Christmas in the capital city! Fairyland – Santa’s City is back with a bang, where the Triton Fountain Square will once again be transformed into a winter wonderland from the 8th of December 2022 to 6th January 2023.
The capital will be greatly illuminated and highly decorated for the festive season. Expect to see a larger-than-life Ferris wheel, an ice-skating rink, a carousel, and German-style markets selling delicious food and beverages, not to mention mulled wine.
This year’s edition will also have a section dedicated to the 2022 World Cup, which will run until the 15th of December! You can watch your favourite team on a big screen whilst sipping a beer or hot chocolate.
Entrance is free.
5. Christmas Market at Pjazza Tigne – 10th to 13th December 2022
📍Where: Tigne Point, Sliema
The Times of Malta in collaboration with The Point Shopping Mall is organising a Christmas market in the heart of Sliema’s shopping district!
It may not be as grand as the Nuremberg Christmas market, but as we say, good things come in small packages. There will be stands selling festive favourites, including mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, gingerbread men, herbal tea, hot chocolate as well as hot dogs, Venetian antipasti and porchetta. You’ll also find gifts galore – stands selling artisanal silver jewellery, pots, pans, fresh Christmas trees, aromatherapy products, and much more!
For further details click here.
6. TOI TOI Kids: Carols at Christmas – 10th and 11th December 2022
📍Where: Manoel Theatre, Valletta
This sellout Christmas show by the Teatru Manoel Learning and Preparation Programme (TOI TOI) is back for 2022! The comic show will present three Carols, named Carol Kanzunetta (Song), Carol Żfin (dance) & Carol Drammatiku (dramatic), who will all compete for a solo at the Manoel Theatre.
Tickets can be purchased here.
7. Rock ‘n Roll Christmas – 12th and 13th December 2022
📍Where: The Hilton Hotel Malta, St. Julian’s
The timeless Rock ‘n Roll Christmas show from the UK will perform for the first time in Malta! This comic show will feature sketches as well as impersonations, combined with traditional Christmas carols and modern pop Christmas tunes for two nights at the Hilton Malta – not to mention, the 13th of December is a public holiday, so you can enjoy your day off!
8. Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem Gozo – 13th December 2022 – 8th January 2023 (selected days)
📍 Where: Ghajnsielem, Gozo
On selected days in December, the town of Ghajnsielem on our sister island of Gozo usually turns into the Nativity.
This event has been one of the most popular Christmas events around the islands and you will experience a live animated nativity scene over 20,000 square metres of land.
Dates are as follows:
- 13 December, 3:00 PM till 7:00 PM
- 15 December, 9:30 AM till 12:00 PM
- 17 December, 4:00 PM till 7:30 PM
- 18 December, 11:00 AM till 2:00 PM
- 25 December, 4:00 PM till 7:00 PM
- 26 December, 2:30 PM till 7:00 PM
- 27 December, 4:00 PM till 7:00 PM
- 30 December, 4:00 PM till 7:00 PM
- 1 January, 3:00 PM till 7:00 PM
- 8 January, 2:30 PM till 7:00 PM
For further information call the Għajnsielem Local Council on +356 21561515 or visit their Facebook page.
9. Jack & the Beanstalk – the Rock ‘n Roll Panto – 26th December to 30th December 2022
📍Where: Astra Theatre, Victoria, Gozo
If you plan on spending Christmas on Malta’s sister island, the Teatru Astra (Astra Theatre) in Victoria will present a one-of-a-kind Rock ‘n Roll pantomine based on the fairy tale of Jack & The Beanstalk! Get ready to meet Jack and his poor mother, Dame Fazola Bigilla, as they fight the Giant and search for the golden eggs laid by a goose.
This event will only take place for five nights! Book you tickets here.
10. Valletta NYE 2023 – 31st December 2022
Where: Across Valletta, Malta
The annual New Year’s Eve special in the heart of Valletta is back with a bang! This event is being organised as part of the Valletta Cultural Agency’s project entitled Christmas in the Capital, which begins 25th November and ends on this night. Click here for more details.
Valletta will turn into one big party with performances by local artists and special guests, to ring in the new year. The main events will take place in St. George’s Square from 10pm onwards.
Entrance is free.
Would you like to combine your Christmas break with a language course? Book now to avoid disappointment.
Focus on Fluency
- A white Christmas (idiom) — a Christmas during which there is snow on the ground.
- The festive season (idiom) — an informal name for the period leading up to and including the holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day
- Holiday cheer (idiom) — the joyful and generous attitude expected of people at Christmas
- There’s no doubt (idiom) — probably, most likely, without a question
- Renowned (adjective) – celebrated, famous
- Larger-than-life (adjective) – attracting special attention because of unusual and flamboyant appearance
- Ferris wheel (noun) — an amusement ride consisting of a rotating upright wheel with multiple passenger-carrying components attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, they are kept upright, usually by gravity
- Illuminated (adjective) – lit with bright lights
- Rink (noun) – an enclosed area of ice for skating as well as ice hockey
- Good things come in small packages (idiom) — the things that have the most value or quality are small; the size of something does not always properly indicate its value.
- Galore (adjective) – in plentiful amounts, in abundance
- Artisanal (adjective)– relating to or characteristic of an artisan (noun) — a worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand.
- Aromatherapeutic (adjective) – related to the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils for healing and cosmetic purposes
- Fellow (noun) – companion
- Back with a bang (idiom, informal) – when something starts in a very exciting and noticeable way
- Ring in the new year (idiom) – to mark the end of the previous year and the start of a new one, typically with a party or other celebration
All about the 29th of February – origins, cultural significance, and historical events related to Leap Day
Every four years, an extra day is added to the month of February. As a result, there are 366 days in a year. This is called a “leap year”.
Malta Events to look forward to in 2024
We may only have just started 2024, but there are a number of exciting events to look forward to this year!
Read to learn more.
A Guide to the Public Holidays in Malta
The island nation of Malta has the most public holidays in the European Union. These hold both national and religious importance to Malta as they commemorate historical events, including the birth of the Church in Malta, the departure of Malta’s colonisers, Christianity in Malta and other significant moments.
