Seasonal ideas
Christmas and New Year in Malta and Gozo by car (December to early January)
Christmas in Malta is not about snow or big markets. It is about the presepju, the Maltese nativity crib, which turns up in churches, shop windows and living rooms, and about parishes that fill their squares with lights, carols and processions. With a car you can link it all: Valletta's decorated streets 20 minutes from the airport, an evening in the walled city of Mdina, and a ferry to Gozo for Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem, a whole village rebuilt in a field. The season ends with fireworks over the Grand Harbour on New Year's Eve.
WoopDrive editorial team8 min read
Find a car in Malta
In short
- Christmas in the Capital, Valletta's festive programme, runs from 25 November to 31 December 2026.
- Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem, the living nativity village on Gozo, opens on 11 selected dates from 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
- Gozo ferry: car and driver pay €15.70 for the round trip, only on Gozo; from November to March a €12.80 night fare applies after 20:00 from Mġarr.
- Public holidays: 8, 13 and 25 December and 1 January. 26 December is a normal working day.
- Heritage Malta museums and sites close on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
- December averages about 17°C by day and 12°C at night, with around 9 wet days.
On this page
The Maltese Christmas starts with the crib
The oldest crib documented in Malta dates from 1617, at the Dominican church in Rabat. For centuries cribs belonged to churches and wealthy families; papier-mache figures arrived in the 19th century, and after the Second World War St George Preca had children build small cribs at home, which made the presepju a tradition for everyone. Villages and clubs still hold crib exhibitions every December, and the mechanical crib in Żejtun has welcomed visitors since 1947.
- Gulbiena: vetch shoots grown for the season and hung on church altars at Christmas.
- Baby Jesus processions: a few days before Christmas, children carry a statue of the Christ Child through the streets singing carols, a custom that began in Ħamrun in 1921.
- Il-Priedka tat-Tifel: at Midnight Mass a child recites the Christmas sermon from memory.
- Crib trails on Gozo: several displays in Nadur and Qala are listed until 3 January 2027.
Valletta and Mdina in December
Valletta: Christmas in the Capital
From 25 November to 31 December 2026 the Valletta Cultural Agency dresses the capital with street decorations, a nativity crib and the city's Christmas tree, plus live performances and family activities; listed hours are 8:00 to midnight. Come at dusk and end the walk at the Upper Barrakka Gardens above the Grand Harbour.
- Drive
- About 10 km from Malta International Airport, around 20 minutes.
- Parking
- Weekday entry after 14:00, weekends and public holidays are free of the CVA charge (see the driving section), or park in Floriana and walk in through City Gate.
- Time to allow
- The decorations and the crib are free to see.
- Families
- Pedestrian streets and family activities; bring a warm layer for the evening breeze.
Mdina: Midnight Mass in the Silent City
The walled former capital is at its best on a December evening, when the lanes are empty and lamps light the limestone. In 2024 St Paul's Cathedral began its Christmas Eve programme at 23:15 with carols and the child's sermon before Midnight Mass; the Archdiocese sets the 2026 times, so check them nearer the date.
- Drive
- About 12 km from the airport, around 20 to 25 minutes.
- Parking
- Visitors cannot drive into Mdina. Use the large car park about 200 m from Mdina Gate, by the Rabat bus terminus, or the small one right outside the gate.
- Time to allow
- The streets are free to walk at any hour; the cathedral sets its own holiday hours.
- Families
- Short, flat walks. Midnight Mass gets crowded, so arrive early with children.
Gozo: a living Bethlehem in Għajnsielem
On the Ta' Passi fields, volunteers in period costume turn about 20,000 square metres of countryside into a Bethlehem village: winding lanes, craft workshops, market scenes, bread baking, wool spinning, shepherds with real animals and a grotto with the Nativity. It opens on selected dates only. The Gozo events calendar lists these for 2026-27:
- Saturday 12 December: 14:30 to 19:00
- Sunday 13 December: 15:00 to 19:00
- Wednesday 16 December: 9:30 to 12:00
- Saturday 19 December: 16:00 to 19:00
- Sunday 20 December: 15:00 to 19:00
- Friday 25 December: 16:00 to 19:00
- Saturday 26, Sunday 27 and Monday 28 December: 14:30 to 19:00
- Friday 1 January: 16:00 to 19:00
- Sunday 3 January: 14:00 to 19:00
Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem
Arrive in the late afternoon and stay until dusk falls over the fields. The village is run by the Għajnsielem Local Council, and entry is listed as free.
- Drive
- From the airport to Ċirkewwa about 30 km, 40 minutes to an hour; then a 25-minute crossing to Mġarr, and Għajnsielem is the village next to the harbour.
- Parking
- Park in Għajnsielem and follow the signs to the Ta' Passi fields; arrive close to opening time at weekends.
- Time to allow
- Hours change by date (see the list above), and dates can still change, so check before you sail.
- Families
- Real animals and live crafts make it the best Christmas outing for children on the islands. Wear closed shoes for the field paths.
Crib exhibitions in Nadur and Qala
In Nadur, In Praesepio, the crib of Jean Paul Portelli and Festo Christi Natalico, and in Qala the Il-Qala Tissaħħar Bil-Presepji trail, are listed to run until 3 January 2027. Pair them with Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem in one afternoon.
- Drive
- Both villages are a short drive from Mġarr harbour, in the east of Gozo.
- Parking
- Park at the edge of the village centre and walk; the streets around the churches are narrow.
- Time to allow
- Each parish or group sets its own opening days and hours.
- Families
- Short indoor visits, good on a showery afternoon.
Taking the car to Gozo
- The Gozo Channel car ferry crosses from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr in about 25 minutes and runs a 24-hour service, with fewer sailings at night.
- You pay once, on Gozo. Drivers board at Ċirkewwa without a ticket; the car and driver ticket is bought online or at the Mġarr vehicle booths before you sail back.
- Car and driver (up to 5.3 m): €15.70 for the round trip. Each extra adult pays €4.65; children aged 3 to 12 pay €1.15, sold only at the Mġarr booths.
- Night fare: from November to March, car and driver pay €12.80 when leaving Mġarr after 20:00 and before the first morning trip.
Cars for this trip
Cars in Malta
Prices for Nov 15 - Nov 22 (7 days), pick-up at Malta International Airport. Other dates change the price.
Hyundai I10Manual · 4 seats€16 / day€113 for 7 days
Kia PicantoManual · 4 seats€16 / day€113 for 7 days
Peugeot 108Manual · 4 seats€16 / day€113 for 7 days
The price includes the rent and the charges that apply to every booking for these dates. Extras, optional cover and driver age fees are added at booking if they apply.
New Year's Eve and the last days of the season
On Thursday 31 December 2026 the national New Year's Eve celebration fills St George's Square in Valletta from 22:00 to 02:00, with local and international artists and fireworks over the Grand Harbour at midnight. To welcome 2026 the Valletta Cultural Agency estimated about 70,000 people in the city for a 25-minute display. Leave the car outside the centre or stay within walking distance.
Epiphany on 6 January is not a public holiday in Malta, and the festive programme closes before it: Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem and the Gozo crib trails have their last listed day on Sunday 3 January. Arriving after New Year? Aim for that first weekend.
What is open on 25 December and 1 January
- Public holidays: Tuesday 8 December (Immaculate Conception), Sunday 13 December (Republic Day), Friday 25 December and Friday 1 January. 26 December is not a public holiday.
- Closed: all Heritage Malta museums and sites on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
- Open: Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem on 25 December and 1 January, 16:00 to 19:00, and the Gozo ferry, which sails every day; check its timetable for public holidays.
- Book ahead: Christmas Day lunch and New Year's Eve dinner, and confirm opening hours of restaurants and shops for 25 December and 1 January.
December weather
Average highs are about 17°C in December and 15°C in January, with nights near 12°C and 10°C. Expect around 9 days with rain in December and a sea near 18°C. The shortest day, 21 December, has 9 hours 43 minutes of daylight and the earliest sunset is 16:48 on 5 December, so drive to Ċirkewwa in daylight and keep the evenings for lights and cribs.
Driving and parking over the holidays
- Traffic drives on the left; overtake on the right. Malta has no motorways.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas unless signed otherwise, 80 km/h on open roads.
- Valletta's CVA: cameras record time inside the zone. First 30 minutes free, then €0.82 an hour up to €6.52 a day; no charge for weekday entry after 14:00, at weekends or on public holidays.
- Floriana Park and Ride costs €0.40 a day and opens 06:00 to 21:00; its shuttle does not run on Sundays or public holidays.
- White bays are public parking, green bays are for residents and blue bays carry time limits. Always read the nearest sign.
Frequently asked questions
When is Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem open in 2026-27?
On 11 selected dates from 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, including Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Most dates run in the afternoon until 19:00.
Do I pay for the Gozo ferry in both directions?
No. You pay once on Gozo, online or at the Mġarr booths, before sailing back: €15.70 for car and driver, or €12.80 after 20:00 from November to March.
Is Malta warm at Christmas?
Mild rather than warm: about 17°C by day and 12°C at night in December. Pack a light jacket and a rain layer.
What is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day?
Heritage Malta museums and sites, which also close on 24 and 31 December. Check shop and restaurant hours and book meals ahead.
Sources
- Betlehem f'Għajnsielem (event series, 2026-27 dates), Events in Gozo (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem returns this Sunday 14th December, Malta Daily (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Car and driver fares, Gozo Channel (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Fares and ticket rules, Gozo Channel (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Christmas in the Capital 2026, Valletta Cultural Agency (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Valletta's National New Year's Eve celebrations, Valletta Cultural Agency (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Opening hours, Heritage Malta (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Malta public holidays 2026: full list, FreeMalta (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Average weather in Malta year round, Weather Spark (checked Nov 1, 2026)
- Guide to parking in Valletta, Malta Info Guide (checked Nov 1, 2026)
Rules, prices and opening hours change. Check the official source before you travel. Drive times are approximate.
More guides
MaltaSeasonal ideas
Malta in November and winter: what is worth doing by car
Mild days, short showers and quiet roads: how to plan a Malta trip from November to February, with heritage sites, coastal walks, Gozo and wet-day options.
3 min read
MaltaTravel with kids
Malta with kids: easy days without long drives
Family plans for Malta where no drive is longer than about half an hour: shallow beaches, a science centre, an aquarium and old towns that work with children.
2 min read
MaltaDriving and rental
Driving in Malta: what to know before you pick up the car
Left-hand traffic, roundabouts, Valletta's access charge, parking, the Gozo ferry and your licence: the practical points for a first drive in Malta.
3 min read