Christmas in Malta is a festive season with mild weather. Instead of snow there are sunny afternoons in Valletta, lit-up village squares, and handmade nativity cribs in churches and front windows. If you're planning a trip for Christmas 2026, this guide covers the dates, the highlights and the practical details that make the difference over the holidays.
For a deeper look at Maltese Christmas traditions, food and history, read our complete guide to Christmas in Malta.
Christmas 2026 in Malta: key dates
| Date | Day | What's happening |
|---|---|---|
| 8 December 2026 | Tuesday | Feast of the Immaculate Conception (public holiday); the festive season traditionally begins |
| 13 December 2026 | Sunday | Republic Day (public holiday) |
| 24 December 2026 | Thursday | Christmas Eve and Midnight Mass |
| 25 December 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day (public holiday) |
| 31 December 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Eve celebrations and fireworks |
| 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year's Day (public holiday) |
| 6 January 2027 | Wednesday | Epiphany, the traditional end of the Christmas season |
Because Christmas Day and New Year's Day both fall on a Friday in 2026, you get two long weekends in a row. That makes a stay from 23 December to 2 January a popular option, so flights and hotels fill early.
What to see and do over Christmas 2026
Christmas lights in Valletta
Republic Street and Merchants Street are decorated with lights for the season. Late afternoon is the best time for a stroll, starting at City Gate and finishing at the Upper Barrakka Gardens for sunset over the Grand Harbour. A guided Valletta tour covers the city's history before the lights come on.
Nativity cribs (presepju)
Crib-making is a long-standing Maltese tradition. Parishes, local councils and private homes display nativity scenes, ranging from small figurines to large, detailed landscapes of the island. Many churches keep their cribs on display until Epiphany.
Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem, Gozo
Gozo's living nativity village is one of the islands' best-loved Christmas attractions, with volunteers in period costume, crafts, food and animals. It opens on selected days through December and early January. Check the official 2026 dates and times before you travel, then pair it with a Gozo day tour to see the Citadel and coastline by day.
Midnight Mass and the Child's Sermon
Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is an important part of Maltese Christmas. In many parishes, a child delivers the traditional Christmas sermon (il-Priedka tal-Milied). Visitors are welcome, but popular churches fill up, so arrive early.
Festive food
Look out for qagħaq tal-għasel (treacle rings), imbuljuta (a warm chestnut and cocoa drink) and Christmas log cakes in pastizzerias and cafés. On the big days, restaurants usually serve set Christmas lunch menus, and these book out well before December.
December weather in Malta
December is mild, with daytime highs typically around 15–17°C and cooler evenings. Expect some rainy or windy days. They rarely last long, but rough seas can cancel boat trips and occasionally disrupt the Gozo ferry. Pack a light jacket and plan indoor options such as museums, St John's Co-Cathedral and the Mdina Cathedral Museum. Check the Malta weather forecast before booking day trips.
Practical tips for Christmas 2026
- Expect reduced hours. Many shops, museums and restaurants close or shorten hours on 25 December and 1 January. Public transport runs reduced services on public holidays.
- Book your airport transfer ahead. Taxi queues at the airport get long on the busiest arrival days before Christmas. A pre-booked airport transfer means a driver is waiting for you, even if your flight is delayed.
- Reserve tours early. Fewer tours operate over the holidays, and the ones that do fill up quickly with visiting families. Book private tours or day trips before December.
- Use a private driver for evening events. Getting back from Għajnsielem or a village Midnight Mass late at night is much easier with a private driver than with buses on a holiday timetable.
- Check Gozo ferry timetables. Ferries run over Christmas, but holiday schedules can differ from normal days.
- Book Christmas lunch now. Popular restaurants in Valletta, Sliema and St Julian's take festive bookings weeks in advance.
Sample Christmas week in Malta
- Day 1: Arrive with a pre-booked transfer, then take an evening walk under Valletta's Christmas lights
- Day 2: Valletta walking tour and St John's Co-Cathedral
- Day 3: Mdina and Rabat, with a crib visit at a local parish
- Christmas Eve: Relaxed day, festive dinner and Midnight Mass
- Christmas Day: Christmas lunch, then a coastal walk along the Sliema promenade
- Day 6: Gozo day trip, finishing at Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem if it is open that evening
- Day 7: Marsaxlokk and the south coast before your flight home
Want help building your festive itinerary? Try our trip planner or browse things to do in Malta.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day is Christmas in Malta in 2026?
Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday 25 December, a public holiday in Malta. Christmas Eve is Thursday 24 December.
Is Malta worth visiting at Christmas?
Yes. Malta is mild in December, typically around 15–17°C by day, with festive lights, nativity cribs, Midnight Mass traditions and Gozo's living nativity village. It is much quieter than summer.
Is everything closed in Malta on Christmas Day?
Many shops, museums and some restaurants close on 25 December, and public transport runs a reduced service. Restaurants offering Christmas lunch are open but usually need booking in advance.
When is Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem open in 2026?
The living nativity in Għajnsielem, Gozo, usually opens on selected days from early December into early January. Check the official 2026 schedule before you travel, as dates and times vary each year.
Can I do tours in Malta over Christmas?
Yes, but fewer tours run on the main holidays and they fill up quickly. Book private tours, Gozo trips and airport transfers in advance.
