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Festas · Calendar

Malta festas — when they happen

Malta has around 67 annual parish festas. The season runs from late spring through October, peaking in July and August. Every village celebrates its patron saint with a week of decoration, processions, brass bands, and fireworks.

About the dates on this page

Most festas are labelled Verify exact date— they follow traditional patterns (e.g. "third week of June") but the Sunday is chosen year to year by the parish and can shift. A few festas — Mosta's Assumption and the two 8 September festas — fall on fixed national holiday dates and are marked Fixed date.

Always confirm against the Visit Malta events calendar before travelling specifically for a festa.

June

  • Żebbuġ

    Verify exact date

    St Philip — Third week of June

    One of the oldest and most elaborately decorated festas in Malta. Known for its rich street decoration and strong fireworks programme.

  • Qormi

    Verify exact date

    St George — Late June

    Famous for its fireworks programme. Qormi is also known as the 'bread village' — good street food around the festa.

July

  • Msida

    Verify exact date

    St Joseph — Mid July

    Busy town festa close to Valletta and accessible by bus.

  • Valletta

    Verify exact date

    St Dominic — Late July

    Festa in the capital. The procession passes through narrow historic streets.

August

  • Lija

    Verify exact date

    Transfiguration of Our Lord — Late July / early August

    Internationally recognised for its ground-level fireworks (mastizzi). The display is considered among the best in Europe.

  • Senglea (Isla)

    Verify exact date

    Our Lady of Graces — First week of August

    One of the Three Cities festas. Compact peninsula setting makes it easy to follow the procession.

  • Birgu (Vittoriosa)

    Verify exact date

    St Lawrence — First weekend of August

    Historic Three Cities setting within fortifications. Candlelit Birgu event sometimes coincides — check Arts Council Malta.

  • Ħamrun

    Verify exact date

    St Cajetan — First week of August

    One of Malta's busiest industrial-area festas. Strong street atmosphere.

  • Mosta

    Fixed date — 15 Aug 2026

    Assumption of Our Lady (Santa Marija) — 15 August — national public holiday

    The largest single festa day in Malta. Mosta's famous Rotunda draws visitors from across the island. The whole country celebrates. Buses may be busier than usual.

  • Gudja

    Fixed date — 15 Aug 2026

    Assumption of Our Lady — 15 August — national public holiday

    Also on 15 August. Quieter than Mosta — good alternative if you want an authentic experience without the crowds.

September

  • Mellieħa

    Fixed date — 8 Sept 2026

    Nativity of Our Lady — 8 September — national public holiday (Victory Day)

    Scenic hillside northern village. 8 September is a national public holiday in Malta marking the end of the Great Siege of 1565.

  • Naxxar

    Fixed date — 8 Sept 2026

    Our Lady of Victories — 8 September — national public holiday (Victory Day)

    Also 8 September. Second major festa on the national holiday. Both Mellieħa and Naxxar celebrate.

  • Siġġiewi

    Verify exact date

    St Nicholas — Late September

    Village festa in central-south Malta.

How to confirm current year dates

We don't publish a live festa calendar because dates change year to year and we can't maintain a reliable update process. Use these official sources:

First time at a festa?

Our main festas guide covers what to expect, how to get there, what to wear, and the etiquette around the procession and fireworks.

Malta village festas — full visitor guide