The Maltese Islands are a strong Catholic country, with a wide diversity of festivities which makes up the religious year.   Feast days are the life of the Islands and some holy days are actually national holidays, such as the feast of Santa Marija in mid August.  Others, such as the harvest festival, or L'Imnarja at the end of June, are steeped in folklore.  However, the most important events to all villages are their individual festas, honouring their parish patron saint.

Religious holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, are highly celebrated, with the traditional festivities that go along with them. As families tend to be quite close-knit, the holidays are a time to strengthen the sense of community as well as reinforce family bonds. Church services play a large role during this time of year and during the Holy Week of Easter, many flock to the churches in great numbers for the‘seven visits’, the visit of seven churches, to pay homage to the Altars of Repose.

The festive commemorations are also a time of food, drink and merriment which brings out the Mediterranean roots of the locals. Families prepare large Christmas and Easter lunches; giving thanks for all that they have with their relatives. During these festas the streets are lined with carts, selling a wide assortment of different foods as well as the more traditional sweets and delicacies.

Even on this small archipelago, people are proud of their religion and parishes, going to great lengths to organise and prepare for the celebration day, whether a village celebration or a universal Christian one.

Whatever the occasion, visitors are made welcome.  Join the crowd or congregation for an insider’s view and to really get to know the people and culture of the Maltese Islands.