December is when Malta turns its squares, gardens and theatres over to Christmas. The month runs from late November light trails to New Year's Eve on the Valletta waterfront, with most of the big events in Valletta, Floriana and Victoria in Gozo. Everything below is confirmed for December 2026 and links to its full listing on What's On.
Christmas villages and lights
Christmas in the Capital runs in Valletta from 25 November to 31 December 2026, and Fairyland, the Valletta Christmas Village, opens from 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. In Gozo, Villa Rundle Illuminated Gardens in Victoria lights up from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, free to enter. See every village on the Christmas villages page.
Christmas markets
The Villa Rundle Christmas Market in Victoria opens on selected days from 29 November to 24 December 2026, with free entry. On Malta, the Malta Artisan Markets Christmas Edition is in Naxxar on 20 December 2026 from 11:00 to 18:00, also free. More dates are on the Christmas markets page.
Nativity cribs
Cribs, or presepji, are one of the oldest Maltese Christmas traditions. The Maltese Nativity Crib Exhibition at the Sagrestia Vault on the Valletta Waterfront runs from 15 December 2026 to 6 January 2027. Parish and village cribs are listed on the cribs page.
Pantomime
Panto is a Maltese Christmas habit inherited from Britain, and there are shows in English and Maltese:
- The Great Little Panto Show, Valletta, 28 November to 8 December 2026 (adults EUR 25, children EUR 10)
- Peter Pan, Valletta, 22 December 2026 to 5 January 2027
- Hercules: The Panto, Sliema, 23 December 2026 to 4 January 2027
- Bella u l Bestja, in Maltese, Valletta, 26 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 (from EUR 23)
- Goldilocks and the Three Rockin' Bears, Victoria, Gozo, 26 to 30 December 2026 (EUR 30 to 35)
All shows are on the panto page.
Concerts and shows
The headline concert is Mariah Carey live in Malta at Ta' Qali on 8 December 2026, doors at 19:00. The Nutcracker plays Valletta from 6 to 8 December, and the MYO Christmas Concert is in Mdina on 11 December. Candlelight concerts run through the month, including The Lord of the Rings in Floriana on 26 December.
Gozo in December
Victoria is the centre of Christmas in Gozo. Alongside Villa Rundle, the Gozo Christmas Parade is on 19 December 2026 and Dinja tat Tfal, for children, is on 20 December, both free.
Christmas Day and New Year's Eve
Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December 2026, with Christmas at Valletta Waterfront the same day. On 31 December choose between the national New Year's Eve celebrations in Valletta, New Year's Eve at Valletta Waterfront or Gozo New Year's Eve in Victoria, which is free. More on the New Year's Eve page.
Plan the rest of your trip
For the full season see Christmas in Malta, and for everything else, our Malta travel guide.
