Christmas in Malta

Locals spend Christmas at home, cooking traditional food with their loved ones, exchanging gifts, and decorating the Christmas tree. Many Maltese attend church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

December temperature in Malta rarely falls below 15 degrees Celsius, so the climate is comfortable for long evening walks. Locals use this opportunity to appreciate Christmas decorations and nativity scenes on town streets.

While Maltese Christmas celebrations don’t lack fun, the emphasis of the holiday always remains on the religious aspects.

Christmas Decorations in Malta

The most important Christmas decoration in every Maltese home is the nativity crib known as Presepju.

Many locals build their nativity cribs from wood or clay and decorate them with moss and other plants, while others buy them at Christmas fairs.

Some people regularly participate in competitions for the best nativity scene. Maltese nativity scenes depict Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in a manger, shepherds, and farm animals in a cave rather than a stable.

Maltese don’t put baby Jesus in his crib until Christmas Eve’s midnight, although they set up the scene early in December.

The tradition can be traced to the early 17th century when the Dominican Friars Church in Rabat displayed the first nativity scene in Malta. Nowadays, nativity scene exhibitions are held across the entire island and set up in every church.

However, Maltese don’t limit Christmas decorations to nativity scenes. They also decorate Christmas trees with baubles, lights, tinsel, and a large star on the top.

Some Maltese decorate their homes with baby Jesus statues surrounded by long white grass-like plants called Gulbiena (Vetch).

Garlands and wreaths from evergreen branches adorned with artificial snow, candied fruit, pinecones, and berries are very popular.

Poinsettias are also common in Malta and often grow in local gardens because of the favorable climate. Maltese streets are illuminated with Christmas lights and present colorful festive displays.

Cafes, restaurants, and other public places in Malta often use glass lanterns for decoration because candlelight symbolizes Jesus as the light of the world and makes the atmosphere cozier.

Gift Exchange

Gift exchange is integral to Maltese Christmas celebrations. Locals usually exchange gifts only with immediate family and closest friends.

But if someone else is invited to a Maltese home for Christmas dinner, they are also expected to bring a gift.

Maltese children anticipate gifts from Saint Nicholas, who sometimes comes early on Christmas Eve rather than on Christmas Day.

He leaves gifts under the Christmas tree or in shoes standing on the windowsill because fireplaces aren’t common in Malta.

Maltese Santa Claus is similar to American Santa – he rides a sleigh pulled by reindeer, wears a red suit with fur trims, and has a long, white beard. Saint Nicholas also visits Maltese children on Saint Nicholas Day, December 6.

Usually, Maltese children get something small on December 6, like treats and toys, and something more expensive on Christmas Eve, like new gadgets.

But Maltese share the holiday cheer not solely with their loved ones. They also actively donate money to charity to help disadvantaged children, the elderly, and the sick.

Kids often exchange small gifts with their classmates on the last day of school before the holidays, and adults participate in Secret Santa gift exchanges in offices.

Carolling & Pantomimes

Malta has a variety of Christmas events for any preference, with the most traditional performances being pantomimes. Pantomimes originated in 18th-century Britain and were inspired by the Italian tradition of commedia dell’arte.

Initially, pantomimes were entertainment for adults, but over time, they morphed into events for the entire family. It’s a type of musical performance that involves songs, gags, slapstick comedy, and dancing.

Often, pantomime involves cross-dressing – men perform women’s roles, and vice versa. The stories vary, but most are based on famous fairytales like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Pantomimes take place in every Maltese town.

Another notable Maltese Christmas custom is caroling, which also has British roots. Nowadays, the tradition is widespread globally.

Children walk from door to door in their neighborhoods, singing Christmas hymns in exchange for treats or money.

Some Maltese Christmas hymns are well known to most Americans, such as Silent Night and Oh Come Ye Faithful, but they are translated into Maltese. Others are unique to the region, such as Ninni la Tibkix Izjed (Sleep and Cry No More).

In Malta, some voluntary organizations host carol evenings in nursing homes and hospitals to cheer up the lonely, elderly, and sick. Kids sometimes make Christmas cards or small handcrafted gifts for disadvantaged people.

Some carol events held in town squares raise funds for charity, primarily focusing on kids in orphanages. Maltese schools often organize Christmas concerts that include carol singing, nativity plays, poetry recitals, and dancing for parents.

Church Services

Midnight Mass is a universal Christmas tradition observed across all denominations and regions.

Every Christmas Eve at around 9 p.m., Maltese head to local churches to listen to scripture readings, sing hymns, and pray at the nativity scene.

However, Maltese Midnight Mass has one unique custom known as Priedka tat-Tifel – the preaching of the child. A girl or boy aged seven to ten replaces the priest and does the preaching of the sermon on Christmas Eve.

The child tells the nativity story and should incorporate a personal understanding into the speech, which usually touches the hearts of all parishioners. Of course, the parents are always nervous yet excited before the performance.

The tradition originated in 1883 when a boy George Sapiano delivered the first Christmas Eve sermon in the church of Luqa. Since then, Maltese churches have been hosting pageants among children every year.

When the clock strikes midnight, the church bells ring, marking the birth of Jesus, and people wish each other Merry Christmas. Then, people go home to celebrate with their families.

The most attended Christmas church services in Malta take place in St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina, Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Valletta, Basilica of St. Paul in Rabat, and Basilica of the Visitation in Gharb.

Churches are a common element of the Maltese landscape, each beautiful in its uniqueness and presenting great interest to architecture enthusiasts.

Sowing Vetch

You’re already familiar with the unusual Maltese Christmas decoration of a baby Jesus statue surrounded by Vetch, but Maltese don’t just buy Vetch at stores. Preparation of this decoration is a tradition on its own.

On December 7, after Saint Nicholas Day, Maltese sow Vetch seeds to ensure they are at their best for Christmas Eve. Maltese sow it in small basins with cotton wool and keep it in closed dark cupboards.

The plant grows very long as it seeks light. Its white color represents the purity of Christ. Sometimes, Vetch is used to make Santa Claus’ beard and other arts and crafts.

Nativity Village of Gozo

In 2008, a village of Ghajnsielem on the neighboring Malta island Gozo started an interesting tradition. The village’s municipality converted empty fields close to the center into a life-sized nativity village.

Over 150 professional actors participate in recreating the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and Jesus’ birth. Apart from the main characters, there are craftsmen who go on about their work, farmers, and shepherds.

The attraction runs from December 6 to January 4, and many Maltese visit the nativity village of Gozo every year.

Christmas Food in Malta

There’s no better way to spend Christmas Eve than indulging in festive foods with your family – perhaps, everyone can agree on that, including Maltese.

The main dish at Maltese Christmas dinner is roast pork or chicken with potatoes. Baked macaroni with cheese, similar to American mac and cheese, is also popular – even if the dish isn’t very festive, it’s undoubtedly delicious.

Rabbit stew slow-cooked in a pot with onions, potatoes, garlic, carrots, tomatoes, and red wine is a Maltese cuisine staple frequently ordered by locals and tourists in restaurants for Christmas.

Savory cheese and pea pastries are popular Maltese snacks often served as an appetizer and sold at Christmas fairs. Another traditional pie is made with Lampuki fish, cauliflower, carrots, black olives, capers, garlic, and tomatoes.

Because Malta is an island, local cuisine involves a lot of seafood. Some Maltese make stew from octopus with sweet tomato paste, garlic, parsley, and lemon rind for Christmas.

Instead of Christmas pudding, Maltese serve Christmas log cake, made with crushed biscuits, dried cherries, nuts, and liquor and covered in chocolate.

Another traditional Maltese Christmas dessert is pastry rings with honey, cinnamon, vanilla, and syrup.

Bread pudding and tiny cakes with dates are favored by locals year-round, and Christmas isn’t an exception. Oranges and sweets are always present on the table.

The food is usually accompanied by red wine, craft beer, or any alcoholic cocktail a particular person prefers.

Maltese don’t drink eggnog or mulled wine often unless they go to Christmas fairs. Kids drink hot chocolate or soda.