Christmas is a highly celebrated religious festivity in this Catholic country. The season is celebrated to its full on the Islands; nativity scenes, displays of cribs, carol services and other events are organised in each locality.

For a very special, spiritual evening, join the congregation at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta for  candlelit carol singing.  Other Baroque parish churches across the Islands are just as awe-inspiring during advent.  Their interiors are decked out in papal crimson and altars are adorned with flowers. All churches have a calendar of events, ranging from the procession of Mary and Joseph, to streets with groups of children carol singing. 

Cribs are positively everywhere, from private houses to small chapels.  Visiting cribs is a popular activity at Christmas time and many Islanders spend time going round the ‘presepju’. Some are very elaborate, and the figures move around mechanically, obviously the work of dedicated craftsmen.

A Christmas highlight, which is popular for children and adults alike, is the annual pantomime held at the Manoel Theatre.  It’s a happy mix of good slapstick humour for children and satire for adults. 

Restaurants, hotels, bars and clubs all have their own entertainment, making for an abundant choice of what to do and see.