The Famous Maltese Village Festa

Visiting the Maltese Islands in September? The massive feast of Santa Marija may be over, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of more summer feasts to enjoy. The warm season is one constant holiday in Malta, and even if you’re here on a short break there’s going to be at least one town that’s en fête during your time here.

Let’s start with the basics. If you’re landing here in the coming weeks, we’re bringing you the calendar of the best feasts to enjoy in Malta throughout the month, the ones all the locals look forward to. You’ll find a list of dates, localities, and what to expect right below.

If you’re staying on the sister island of Gozo, the feast of Our Lady of Loreto, in Għajnsielem, is a must-do. Celebrations are on a smaller scale than in Malta, but they’re as authentic as can be, with the grass-roots procession and rituals offering a quaint and fascinating glimpse into a simpler life.

Back in Malta, on the more popular side of the island, September 1 also sees the celebration of St Gregory the Great in Sliema. Here things happen on a much larger scale, so expect to see many other tourists and travellers like yourself, who want to get a taste of the Malta festa. St Gregory is popular for the fireworks colouring up the high-rise buildings over Sliema and St Julian’s, a really unique sight. This is the perfect fusion of the Mediterranean lifestyle meeting the cosmopolitan vibe, and it’s just a short walk along the promenade from Hotel Valentina.

If you cross over to the Southern side of Malta, the first week of September sees Żurrieq celebrating the patron saint St Catherine. This festa brings a more rural celebration, taking place in the heart of the small village, with the joy spreading over to the bars and restaurants that dot the Blue Grotto area by the sea.

It’s national holiday time in Malta with a total of four towns and villages celebrating The Nativity of Our Lady. The entire island is once again en fête as this is one of the most important religious holidays of the calendar. In Malta, you can enjoy this festa in Naxxar, Mellieħa and Senglea (Isla, which is part of The Three Cities, while in Gozo it’s celebrated in Xagħra.

While all four localities have their attractions, our advice would be to choose Mellieħa or Senglea. Mellieħa is the northernmost large town in Malta, and you can combine the celebrations with some of the most spectacular views of the sunset over the Mediterranean. It’s also a nighttime hotspot, so you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained after hours.

The Baroque city of Senglea is another excellent option, being one of the three fortified cities and boasting superb views of Vittoriosa and Valletta. Finish off with dinner at one of the restaurants along the promenade, and enjoy the fireworks display as you sip upon some Maltese wine.

Another Southern celebration, this time for  Our Lady of Graces in Żabbar. This is one of Malta’s biggest feasts, as it almost closes the summer season and brings with it a unique tradition. On the afternoon of the feast day, thousands of cyclists and motorists gather together in one procession, driving around the island in a slow pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady. In every town, people emerge from windows and balconies to shower them in confetti until finally they reach the parish church of Żabbar.

If a more cosmopolitan celebration is what you’re after, what could be better than a festa in the Maltese capital of Valletta? Experience the gorgeous Baroque city that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site decked out in the colours of St Augustine. There will be band marches around the city, popcorn and candy stores and, of course, fireworks over Manoel Island.

All this takes place alongside the eclectic night life of Valletta, so this is the perfect opportunity to finish off with a cocktail or a memorable dinner in one of the city’s sophisticated restaurants. The staff at Hotel Valentina will be happy to give you personal recommendations and to set up a reservation to ensure the evening goes smoothly.

The dates above signify the actual date of the feast of the Patron Saint, but celebrations start long before that.  Each town holds band marches everyday during the week leading up to the feast day, with the Marċ il-Kbir (the main celebration) usually taking place on the eve of the feast. This is followed by the main fireworks show, which you can expect to kick off around 11PM after the bands are done for the night.

On the day of the feast itself, the celebrations take a more solemn flavour, with a religious procession featuring a large statue of the celebrated saint. This is a magnificent spectacle in its own right, but if you’re after the party vibe make sure you don’t miss out the day before. Typically, you’ll find many ‘afters’ happening around town in the main square itself and in the various każini (bars housing band clubs or football or political clubs or other community groups from the village) . This part of the feast is 100% secular, characterised by modern music and a heart-warming community feel.

With so many different things happening in one small space, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here, you’ll find our top tips to help you enjoy the Maltese village feasts and make sure you don’t miss out on anything.

• Getting there – By taxi is best, as most of the usual bus routes surrounding the town will be closed. A taxi will get you to the closest part possible. Just check in with the staff at Hotel Valentina and we’ll make sure you get there hassle-free
• Festa food – The Maltese village feast is also all about traditional food and drink. Keep an eye out for the nougat stands, also known as tal-qubbajt. This sticky, nutty sweet comes in different flavours and the vendors will be happy to allow you to sample them for free before making up your mind. You’ll also find plenty of other sweet treats, including the multi-coloured candy floss and mini doughnuts.
• Safety first – Resist the temptation to get too close to the fireworks display. They’re best appreciated from a distance, anyway, and even your photos and videos will look better.
• Plan your accommodation in Malta well ahead – This is still the busy season after all! Hotel Valentina is located conveniently in the heart of St Julian’s, within walking distance to the feast in Sliema and a short taxi ride away from the others. Lock in your reservation before it’s too late to get the best rates.

The majority of village feasts in Malta are concentrated in the summer months, but if you’re visiting later on during the year there are still some big dates to look forward to. October offers four feasts taking place in Sliema, Marsa and two in Gudja, while November finds the seaside town of Ta’ Xbiex in celebration mode.

The big date to look forward to in December (besides Christmas) is the 8th, another public holiday when the city of Cospicua celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception