Malta Events December 2026: Christmas, Concerts & New Year's Eve
December is one of the best months to be in Malta. The islands light up for Christmas, Valletta's streets fill with choirs and markets, and the month closes with New Year's Eve parties at venues from Ta' Qali to Gozo. This guide covers the biggest events in Malta and Gozo in December 2026, with dates, venues and direct links to each event page.
Top 10 Events in Malta This December
1. DALMA Festival 2026 (Friday, 4 December)
DALMA Festival 2026 at MFCC, Ta' Qali. A large-scale festive music production with a full orchestra, choir and guest soloists, staged in Malta's biggest indoor arena. It is one of the most popular December tickets on the islands, so book early.
Where: MFCC, Ta' Qali
2. Mariah Carey's Christmas Time Live in Malta (Tuesday, 8 December)
Mariah Carey's Christmas Time Live in Malta at MFCC, Ta' Qali. The Queen of Christmas brings her seasonal tour to Malta for a single night. Expect the full festive setlist and a very full arena.
Where: MFCC, Ta' Qali
3. The Nutcracker (Sunday, 6 December)
The Nutcracker at Teatru Manoel, Valletta. Tchaikovsky's ballet in the baroque jewel of Valletta - the most atmospheric classical night of the month.
Where: Teatru Manoel, Valletta
4. Fairyland, the Valletta Christmas Village (from Friday, 4 December)
Fairyland, the Valletta Christmas Village in Valletta. The capital's Christmas village returns with lights, stalls, food and entertainment. Free to walk through and easy to combine with a day in Valletta.
Where: Valletta
5. Elf the Musical (Saturday, 12 December)
Elf the Musical at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta. The stage version of the much-loved film, in the MCC's grand Great Siege Hall.
Where: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
6. Joseph Calleja Christmas Concert 2026 (Friday, 18 December)
Joseph Calleja Christmas Concert 2026 at MFCC, Ta' Qali. Malta's own tenor returns home for his annual Christmas concert, one of the most reliably special nights of the Maltese calendar.
Where: MFCC, Ta' Qali
7. Betlehem f'Għajnsielem (Sunday, 20 December)
Betlehem f'Għajnsielem at Ta' Passi Fields, Għajnsielem, Gozo. A full-scale live nativity village built in the fields above the harbour, with craftspeople, animals and choirs. It is the single best December experience on Gozo.
Where: Ta' Passi Fields, Għajnsielem, Gozo
8. Ali Baba - The Panto (Sunday, 20 December)
Ali Baba - The Panto at Gianpula Village, Rabat. Malta's panto tradition in English, with the usual songs, jokes and audience participation.
Where: Gianpula Village, Rabat
9. Bella u l-Bestja: Malta's Pantomime 2026 (Saturday, 26 December)
Bella u l-Bestja: Malta's Pantomime 2026 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta. The Maltese-language pantomime is a genuine local tradition, and Boxing Day is its biggest night.
Where: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
10. NYE 2027 at MFCC (Thursday, 31 December)
NYE 2027 at MFCC at MFCC, Ta' Qali. The island's biggest indoor New Year's Eve party, with the countdown inside the arena.
Where: MFCC, Ta' Qali
Christmas in Malta: Markets, Lights and Family Events
December in Malta is not a quiet, snow-covered Christmas - it is a warm, bright, outdoor one. Expect daytime temperatures in the mid to high teens, string lights in every town square, and presepji (nativity cribs) in churches, halls and private homes across both islands.
- Fairyland, the Valletta Christmas Village - Valletta, from 4 December
- Fairyland - Santa's City - Valletta, 5 December
- Malta Artisan Markets Christmas Edition - Naxxar, 20 December
- Maltese Nativity Crib Exhibition - Valletta Waterfront, from 15 December
- The Way To Bethlehem - 22 December
- Christmas Carols - Qala, Gozo, 24 December
Classical Music and Choirs
December is the busiest month of the year for Malta's choirs and orchestras.
- Carols by Candlelight, 17th Edition - 4 December
- The Malta International Christmas Choir Festival - Mdina, from 4 December
- MYO Christmas Concert - Mdina, 11 December
- MYO Chamber Concert - 6 December
- YULETIDE BOP! - Studio Theatre, Teatru Manoel, 12 December
- Iljieli fit-Teatru Chamberfest - Beethoven and Mendelssohn - 14 December
- Candlelight Concert: The Lord of the Rings - Floriana, 26 December
Theatre, Ballet and Comedy
Between pantomimes, ballet and stand-up, December is the strongest month of the year for live performance in Malta.
- Mary Poppins The Ballet - 6 December
- Tease the Season - Burlesque & Variety Show - 11 December
- ALADDIN FIX-XOW IL-KBIR! - 11 December
- Stand-Up Comedy Nights - Christmas Special - Studio Theatre, 19 December
- TOI TOI Baby Series - JINGLE - Studio Theatre, 12 December
- Hercules - Teatru Manoel, 21 December
- Peter Pan at Teatru Manoel - 22 December
- PINOKKJU IL-PANTOMIMA - Msida, 26 December
- Il-Pantomima Mamma Mija - 28 December
December in Gozo
Gozo keeps its own, quieter festive calendar - village feasts, crib exhibitions and the Għajnsielem nativity village. If you are crossing on the ferry, allow a full day.
- Christmas Et Al - Il-Ħaġar Gozo Museum, Victoria, from 1 December
- Gozo Philatelic Society - Annual Exhibition - Xewkija Windmill, from 2 December
- Christmas In The Square - Sannat, 5 December
- Santa's Factory and The Glowing Alley - Gozo, from 11 December
- Santa's Workshop - Ta' Dbieġi Crafts Village, 12 December
- Il-Milied - Benna ta' Arti Tradizzjonali - Nadur, 12 December
- Il-Qala Tissaħħar Bil-Presepji - Qala, 13 December
- Gozo Christmas Parade - Victoria, 19 December
- Dinja tat Tfal - Victoria, 20 December
- Festo Christi Natalico - Nadur Basilica, 22 and 27 December
Village Feasts and Public Holidays
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception - public holiday, 8 December, with the biggest celebrations at Qala and Victoria in Gozo
- Festa Marija Immakulata - Victoria, Gozo, 8 December
- Festa Tfal Immakulata Kuncizzjoni - Qala, 6 December
- Republic Day 2026 - public holiday, 13 December
- Festa Santa Luċija - Ta' Kerċem, Gozo, 13 December
New Year's Eve in Malta 2026
New Year's Eve in Malta splits into three: the big arena nights around Ta' Qali, the club and party scene, and the free outdoor celebrations in Valletta and on the waterfront.
- NYE 2027 at MFCC - MFCC, Ta' Qali
- Panorama Festival Malta 2026 - various venues
- La Grande Bellezza a Capodanno - 31 December
- Pierre Cordina Presents Golden NYE 2027 - 31 December
- Miss Roberta - NYE Experience at Aria - 31 December
- Casino Royale - NYE 2027 Tigullio - 31 December
Parties, Pub Crawls and Nights Out
Nightlife builds towards New Year's Eve, and the weeks before it are the busiest of the winter.
- Paceville Pub Crawl - Black Bull Pub, St Julian's, 1 December
- FUNKYTOWN Xmas 80s & 90s - Liquid Club, San Ġwann, 5 December
- Iljieli fit-Teatru Beatfest - Lejla Rock - 7 December
Sport and the Outdoors
- Beat Your PB by Dillon - 6 December
- HopeXchange Charity Run - 13 December
- Medcomms Round Malta - 13 December
- Mdina 2 Spinola Xmas Road Race - 20 December
- Boxing Day Rally - 26 December
Full December 2026 Events Calendar
Things to Do in Malta in December 2026
Beyond the events above, December is ideal for the things Malta does best without the summer crowds: coastal walks at Dingli, quiet mornings at Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, and easy tables in Valletta and Mdina.
See our attractions guide for what is open in winter, and our restaurant directory for where to eat around the festive period.
Practical Tips for December in Malta
- Book the big nights early. DALMA, Mariah Carey, Joseph Calleja and the New Year's Eve arena nights sell out well in advance.
- Check opening hours around 8, 13 and 25 December. The Immaculate Conception and Republic Day are public holidays, and Christmas Day closes most restaurants and shops.
- Take the ferry to Gozo early. The Għajnsielem nativity village and the Gozo Christmas Parade draw heavy afternoon traffic on the weekend before Christmas.
- Check the weather. December averages around 17°C by day but can bring short, heavy showers. See our Malta weather guide.
- Where to stay. Valletta and Floriana put you inside the Christmas lights; Sliema and St Julian's are quicker for the Ta' Qali arena nights. See our where to stay in Malta guide.
- Getting around. Buses run later on New Year's Eve but taxis surge. See our Malta transport guide.
More Malta Events Guides
- All Malta events
- Malta events in November 2026
- Malta events 2026: the ultimate guide to what's on
- Things to do in Malta
Frequently Asked Questions
What events are on in Malta in December 2026? December 2026 in Malta includes DALMA Festival, Mariah Carey's Christmas Time, The Nutcracker at Teatru Manoel, Elf the Musical, the Joseph Calleja Christmas Concert, the Valletta Christmas Village, pantomimes in Valletta and Rabat, and New Year's Eve events at MFCC and around the islands. Gozo adds the Għajnsielem nativity village and a full run of village feasts and carol services.
Is December a good time to visit Malta? Yes. December is quiet, mild and festive, with daytime temperatures around 17°C, Christmas lights across Valletta and the villages, and a full calendar of concerts and pantomimes. It is also far cheaper than summer for accommodation.
What is there to do in Malta at Christmas? The Valletta Christmas Village and Fairyland lights, the Maltese Nativity Crib Exhibition at Valletta Waterfront, carol services across both islands, pantomimes, and the Betlehem f'Għajnsielem live nativity village in Gozo.
What happens in Malta on New Year's Eve? New Year's Eve in Malta centres on the arena and club nights around Ta' Qali and St Julian's, plus free outdoor celebrations in Valletta and on the waterfront. Book tickets and taxis in advance.
Are shops and restaurants open on 25 December in Malta? Most shops, restaurants and attractions close on Christmas Day. Hotels and a small number of restaurants stay open, usually by advance booking. The 8 and 13 December public holidays have reduced hours rather than full closures.
