Gozo’s reputation as an island steeped in Christmas tradition has only gotten stronger over the years.   There is no doubt that Gozo celebrates the Christmas feast with great joy and enthusiasm.  A quick glance at Christmas in Gozo https://eventsingozo.com/christmas-in-gozo-2024/, the island’s official publication showcasing the multitude of festive events and cherished traditions, perfectly illustrates this vibrant holiday spirit.

If you visit the island during the jolly Christmas season, here’s a series of activities you can check out.

Festive Finds: The enchanting scene of the Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets on the island have become a staple, and it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy the Christmas spirit while indulging in buying gifts, often directly from the artisans that feature their wares at these markets.   While the main Christmas Market event is organised in Villa Rundle Gardens and runs most weekends during December, many villages will host their own local Christmas Market, typically involving choirs, bands, musicians, and activities for children. This ensures that Christmas cheer is spread all over the island, and this year, the villages of San Lawrenz, Xewkija, Ta’ Sannat, Nadur, Kerċem, Qala, Għarb and Xagħra will all be holding their own Christmas Market.

Creating Memories: Family-Friendly Christmas Events

There is no doubt that families notoriously favour Christmas markets, but Gozo’s Christmas Parade, happening on 21st December, is one of the top family events.   Following it on 22nd December is an event aimed at kids in Villa Rundle Gardens.  Do not miss out on visiting Villa Rundle Gardens, which transform into a charming illuminated spectacle at nighttime.  Catch the magical Christmas spark by driving along the road from Victoria to Ta’ Pinu to capture the sight of the giant Christmas tree illumination that is set up on Għar Ilma Hill.   Other family fun attractions include Santa’s Factory and the Glowing Alley, Meet Santa at the North Pole, Santa’s Workshop at Ta’ Dbiegi Crafts Village, A December to Remember, Merry Merry Elves, Christmas Illuminated, Cooking with Santa and Frosty Wonderland.

Sounds of the Season: It’s not Christmas without Music

For the ultimate merry Christmas vibe, tune in to concerts, recitals, and performances that will take place during the season.   The whole season is one concert after another where different musical groups like the Harp & Wind Trio, the Brass Tubes Ensembles, Christmas Brass, and DCapitals Big Band, along with a variety of other singers, musicians and Gozo’s choirs, put up their best performances to a make the season bright.     Many of the local band clubs will also hold their traditional Christmas concerts, as will the students from the arts school and The Gozo Junior Wind Band & Orchestra.  For a touch of Gozitan folk carol singing, check out the Xmas Carols at Santa Luċija.  As the season wraps up, ring in the New Year with the traditional concert at Hotel Kempinski, ensuring a bright and musical start to the year ahead.

Faith and Festivity: Celebrating Gozo’s Catholic Christmas Traditions

Christmas is one of the most significant feasts in the Christian world. The celebration of the birth of Jesus is much awaited. Churches across the island hold a novena during the nine days leading up to Christmas Eve, a time of reflection and anticipation leading to Christmas Eve when crowds attend the midnight mass, which often ends with community celebrations on the church parvis.   Many villages will hold a procession with the Baby Jesus statue, a traditional Maltese Islands tradition started by one of Malta’s saints, St. George Preca.   Other catholic feasts of the season include the Immaculate Conception Feast, celebrated in Victoria on 8th December and the feast of St. Lucy, held in the Santa Luċija. The feast of Saint Lucy typically includes the procession where girls robed in white with red sashes accompany one girl wearing a crown of candles on her head.  A Christmas pageant will be held in San Lawrenz. The Christmas celebrations will end on Epiphany Sunday, 5th January, when typical events include reenactments of the Three Kings’ arrival.

Stage Magic:  Comedy and Theatre

For the theatre-loving community, Christmas in Gozo will kick off with a show titled ‘Christmas it’s Time’ that will be staged on 30th November.  A hilarious production, ‘Kollox jista’ jmur Ħażin.. Lejlet il-Milied’ will be staged at the Oratory Don Bosco, promising the audience jokes and fun for all ages.   Astra Theatre will present the Christmas Panto, ‘Red Riding Hood’, while a ‘Christmas Soiree’ will be held in Żebbuġ.  The village of Nadur will be holding ‘Santa’s Magical Theatre’, featuring Christmas films for children.

Step into Nativity: Bethlehem F’Għajnsielem, Christmas Cribs and Other Exhibitions

Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem has been a unique attraction for many years.  Every year, the people of Għajnsielem organise a village that takes visitors back to 2000 years ago through a live nativity scene. The brainchild of Franco Ciangura https://visitgozo.com/2024/04/03/how-the-little-town-of-bethlehem-came-to-ghajnsielem-in-gozo/, this attraction will open on 15th December.   While in Għajnsielem, check out the 60-foot Christmas tree decorated with over 4500 glass bottles.

Beyond this nativity on a mega-lifesize scale, Gozo is also the island of many crib enthusiasts like Giovann Cassar https://visitgozo.com/2024/04/03/a-crib-makers-story-a-meeting-with-giovann-cassar/.  This phenomenon has resulted in various exhibitions involving static and mechanical cribs (often exhibited indoors) and displays showcased behind windows.  The latter is a typical Gozitan tradition, and as you go around the island, you will notice that many families will set up a statue of Baby Jesus in a manager behind windows or entryways.   If you’re keen on cribs and dioramas, visit the village of Xagħra, where many enthusiasts will be exhibiting their artistic work. Other exhibitions involving Christmas-themed iconography, art, and philately can also be visited during the season.

Bring in the New Year

Gozo’s will celebrate the beginning of 2025 with a large-scale event in Victoria. The event, which will feature international guest Sonique and local artists The Travellers, Ryan Spiteri, and Jolene Samhan, promises to be a grand celebration.

Stay up to date with all that’s happening in Gozo this season by bookmarking the site EventsinGozo.com.