Christmas Day in Malta ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of Christmas Day in Malta and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of Christmas Day in Malta and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Christmas is a religious and cultural holiday celebrated annually by Christians around the world. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the Son of God and the saviour of humanity.
In Malta, Christmas is celebrated with great fanfare. The festivities begin on December 8th, when baby Jesus is traditionally born in a manger. A large crib is set up in every village square and is decorated with flowers, fruits and vegetables. On Christmas Eve, a procession known as the “Infiorata” takes place. This involves hundreds of people carrying huge banners and statues of Mary and Joseph through the streets.
On Christmas Day, mass is held in all churches across Malta. After mass, families gather together for a traditional feast, which typically includes roast chicken or turkey, stuffat tal-fenek (a stew made with rabbit), kapunata (a vegetable stew) and pastizzi (flaky pastry filled with ricotta cheese).
Christmas is also a time for giving and receiving presents. In Malta, it is customary to give gifts to children on December 6th, which is known as St. Nicholas’ Day. Santa Claus is not a big part of Christmas in Malta, but the Three Kings are. On the evening of January 5th, children leave out shoes or boots outside their bedroom doors, and the Kings fill them with sweets and small presents.