Malta does Christmas in its own way: no snow, plenty of lights, and markets set up against limestone bastions, seafront promenades and Gozitan village squares. The 2026 season starts in late November and runs into early January, so whether you are here for a long weekend or the whole of December, there is a market or a Christmas village within easy reach. Here is where to go, area by area, with dates for every one.
Valletta and the harbour
The capital sets the tone. Christmas in the Capital 2026 runs from 25 November to 31 December 2026, with street decorations, the city Christmas tree, a nativity crib, live performances and family activities around Valletta. The Valletta Cultural Agency lists it from 8am to midnight at the time of writing. Within that programme, the Valletta Christmas Market brings chalets, artisan gifts and street food to the city's squares and streets from 12 to 31 December 2026.
Just outside City Gate, Fairyland Valletta Christmas Village, better known as Fairyland Santa's City, takes over Triton Fountain Square and The Granaries from 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. It is the big family draw of the season, with rides, a Santa house, illuminations and market stalls. From 13 to 24 December 2026 the Christmas Artisan Market at Fairyland runs daily inside the village, a good stop for handmade presents. Opening hours and ride prices for 2026 had not been published when we checked, so look at Fairyland's own channels before you go.
Down by the Grand Harbour, the Valletta Waterfront Christmas Village runs from 29 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 along the 18th century warehouses in Floriana. The Waterfront's own page says entry to the promenade and events is free, with a small charge for some activities, and that its restaurants and bars open from 11am until late. From 15 December 2026 to 6 January 2027 the Maltese Nativity Crib Exhibition at Sagrestia Vault fills one of the old stone vaults with traditional cribs.
Sliema and the north
The Sliema Christmas Market lines the seafront promenade from 1 to 24 December 2026, with craft chalets, food stalls and entertainment organised by the local council. It is an easy evening stroll if you are staying in Sliema or St Julian's. Further up the coast, the Malta National Aquarium Christmas Market sets up stalls on the square outside the aquarium in Qawra from 18 to 23 December 2026, handy for last minute shopping.
Inland, the Woodland Christmas Market at Oak Tree Circle in Ta' Qali National Park runs from 4 to 13 December 2026. The organiser, Eco Market Malta, lists free entrance and free children's activities. At the time of writing it opens from 4pm to 7pm on 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11 December, and from 10am to 7pm on 5, 6, 8, 12 and 13 December. Nearby in Rabat, Natalis Notabilis fills the streets and squares with Maltese crafts, festive treats and carols from 4 to 13 December 2026.
Naxxar has two one day markets worth planning around. The Hilltop Gardens Christmas Artisan Market is on Sunday 29 November 2026, from 10am to 6pm according to Hilltop Gardens, with underground parking on a first come basis. The Malta Artisan Markets Christmas Edition takes over the gardens of Palazzo Parisio on Sunday 20 December 2026 from 11am to 6pm. The organiser says the market is free to enter, while the palace and gardens charge their own admission. In Lija, Milied mal-Għaqdiet gathers voluntary organisations at Palazzo Francesco for a Christmas fair from 18 to 20 December 2026.
The south
South of Rabat, The Magical Illuminated Trail 2026 lights up the gardens of Verdala Palace at Buskett from 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, on selected dates. It is a timed walk through light installations with a Christmas village and a food court, held in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation. The official site lists tickets from €9 in 20 minute entry slots, suggests allowing 60 to 90 minutes, and says children aged two and under go free but still need an infant ticket. Book ahead, as dates can close.
In Paola, the Paola Christmas Village runs from 12 to 19 December 2026. The local council had not confirmed the venue or opening times when we checked, so keep an eye on the listing.
Gozo
Gozo's Christmas centres on Victoria. The Villa Rundle Illuminated Gardens glow with lit trees, giant festive figures and gingerbread scenes from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, and they are free to walk through. The gardens, planted around 1915 and named after General Leslie Rundle, also host the Villa Rundle Christmas Market on selected days from 29 November to 24 December 2026, with gifts, handmade pieces and seasonal food and drink.
The one to cross the channel for is Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem, a living nativity village in the Ta' Passi fields a short walk from Mġarr Harbour, open on selected days from 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 with free entry. Visit Malta describes it as spread across about 20,000 square metres, with costumed villagers working at a bakery, a blacksmith's and a tavern, and a grotto at its heart. On 3 January 2027 the Adoration of the Magi brings the Three Kings into the village.
Gozo's villages also hold their own short Christmas markets, often for a single evening:
- Winter Wonderland Gozo, Qala, 27 to 29 November 2026
- Swejjaq u l-Fiera tal-Milied, San Lawrenz, 29 November 2026
- Christmas in the Square, Sannat, 5 and 6 December 2026
- Merħba Milied, Kerċem, 6 December 2026
- Santa's Magical Night, Qala, 11 to 13 December 2026
- Munxar Christmas Village, 18 December 2026
Beyond the markets
Cribs, or presepju, are the heart of a Maltese Christmas. Visit Malta notes that they turn up everywhere from family homes to small chapels, some with mechanical moving figures, and locals make a tour of them. In Gozo, Frank Mizzi's Iconic Nativity Crib at Il Hagar museum in Victoria (1 December 2026 to 10 January 2027) mixes the Nativity with scenes of village life, and La Luce Del Mondo turns a wartime shelter under Nadur into a walk through Nativity from 2 to 30 December 2026.
For carols, Candlelight: Christmas Classics plays inside St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta on 15 December 2026, and the Schola Cantorum Jubilate choir sings Carols by Candlelight in Victoria on 4 and 5 December 2026. On Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve Carols, Qala follows a Baby Jesus procession through the village to the parish church.
The headline concert of the season is Mariah Carey at the MFCC in Ta' Qali on 8 December 2026; our guide to the Mariah Carey Christmas concert in Malta has the details. To see the year out, the Valletta National New Year's Eve Celebrations fill St George's Square on 31 December 2026, New Year's Eve at Valletta Waterfront ends with fireworks over the Grand Harbour, and Victoria counts down at Gozo New Year's Eve in Independence Square. For everything else this month, see our guide to things to do in Malta in December and the full list of Christmas events in Malta.
Malta at Christmas: weather
December in Malta is mild rather than cold. Long term averages for Luqa (1991 to 2020) give a daytime high of about 17°C and a night low of about 12°C, with around 94mm of rain spread over roughly ten wet days and a little over five hours of sunshine a day. The sea stays at around 17 to 18°C. Bring a warm layer for evenings at the markets and something waterproof, as showers can arrive quickly. Coming earlier? Our guide to Malta in November covers the weather and events before the markets open.
Visiting the markets
- Most markets are free to enter; you pay for food, drink, rides and gifts. Where an entry fee or hours are given above, they are as listed at the time of writing, so check before you go.
- 8 December and 13 December are public holidays, and markets such as the Woodland Christmas Market open longer on those days.
- Smaller village markets often run for one evening only, so check the date on the What's On listing before you travel, especially if you are crossing to Gozo.
