Malta's national and public holidays are exciting festivities

Public holidays are usually days off work. Employees are paid. If employees work on a public holiday, they receive an extra day of leave. Public holidays are divided into church holidays and national holidays. The national flag is flown on national holidays.

Public holidays in Malta in January

1 January – New Year’s Day, New Year, Maltese L-Ewwel tas-Sena

New Year’s Day is a public holiday in Malta. It marks the beginning of the new year. Many Maltese spend the day with family or close friends. Large events or official celebrations rarely take place on New Year’s Day.

Public holidays in Malta in February

10 February – Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck in Malta, Maltese Nawfraġju ta San Pawl

The festival reminds the Maltese of the arrival of St Paul in Malta in the year 60 AD. This biblical Acts of the Apostles describes the spread of Christianity in Malta. St Paul is the patron saint of the island of Malta.

Public holidays in Malta in March

19 March – Feast of Saint Joseph, Maltese San Ġużepp

St Joseph is considered to be the husband of the Virgin Mary. Malta celebrates St Joseph with church masses and processions of the statue of St Joseph.

31 March – Freedom Day, Jum il-Ħelsien in Maltese

The last British land forces and the Royal Navy left Malta on 31 March 1979. After centuries of occupation by foreign powers, Malta is free again. The Freedom Day memorial stands in Vittoriosa. In addition to commemorations at the war memorial in Floriana, the traditional regatta boat race takes place in the Grand Harbour.

Easter Sunday is not a public holiday. Public holidays that permanently fall on a Sunday are not considered public holidays in Malta.

Public holidays in Malta in April

18 April – Good Friday, Maltese Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira

Good Friday, an important day for Christians, traditionally commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In at least 18 towns and villages, Good Friday processions take place in the evening with elaborate statues and people in epic costumes of the Passion of Christ.

Public holidays in Malta in May

1 May – Labour Day, Workers Day, Jum il-Ħaddiem

Labour Day is celebrated on 1 May in many countries, including Malta. This 1st May is also the anniversary of full membership of the European Union.

Public holidays in Malta in June

7 June – Sette Giugno

Sette Giugno commemorates 7 June 1919, when the Maltese revolted against the British. The British occupying forces fired on the Maltese demonstrators, killing at least four. This bank holidays is considered the most important step towards Malta’s independence.

29 June – Feast of St Peter and St Paul, Feast of Saint Peter, Maltese L-Imnarja

For the Catholic Church, the apostles Peter and Paul are the two princes of the apostles due to their prominent position. They were the leaders of the Church after the crucifixion of Jesus. Apostle Paul was stranded on Malta near Mellieha 60 years after Christ and lived for three months in the grotto of the city of Rabat, today the cathedral of Mdina. Both are regarded as the light of the Christian faith. Perhaps the oldest religious festival in Malta begins on the evening of 28 June with light festivals in Buskett Gardens near Mdina.

Public holidays in Malta in July

There are no public holidays in Malta in July

Public holidays in Malta in August

15 August – Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, officially the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, Maltese Santa Marija

The feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary or Santa Maria honours the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven. This popular Maltese festival is the highlight of the religious village festivals in the summer season. At least 7 towns and villages in Malta and Gozo celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in grand style. The most famous places are Għaxaq, Gudja, Ħ’Attard, Mosta, Mqabba, Qrendi on Malta and on Gozo in the capital Victoria. After a six-month naval blockade by Germany and Italy during the Second World War, the first large supply convoy (Operation Pedestal) arrived in Malta on 15 August 1942. This ‘Santa Marija Convoy’ brought salvation to the archipelago, which was on the verge of capitulation.

Public holidays in Malta in September

8 September – Feast of Our Lady of Victory, Victory Day, Jum il-Vitorja in Maltese

Victory Day celebrates the end of the Great Siege by the Ottomans and the victory of the Knights of St John (later the Order of Malta) in 1565. This day also commemorates the unrest against the French in 1800 and the Second World War. In addition to commemorative events and religious festivals, for example in Mellieha, Senglea, Naxxar and Xaghra, a traditional regatta and boat races take place in the Grand Harbour.

21 September – Independence Day, Jum l-Indipendenza in Maltese

After long periods of foreign occupation, Malta became independent from the British Empire on 21 September 1964. This day is considered one of the most important dates in Maltese history and therefore a number of activities are organised around Malta to commemorate it. Various monuments and commemorations of the ancestors who worked hard for Malta’s independence.

Public holidays in Malta in October

There will be no public holidays in October in 2025

Public holidays in Malta in November

There will be no public holidays in November in 2025

Public holidays in Malta in December

8 December – Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Maltese Il-Kunċizzjoni

In most churches in Malta and Gozo, the population celebrates the Immaculate Conception with small festivals.

13 December – Republic Day, Maltese Jum ir-Repubblika

Malta became a republican state on 13 December 1979. This meant that Queen Elizabeth II of England was no longer the head of state. Her function was replaced by a President with Maltese citizenship. To mark the occasion, the Maltese lay wreaths at the Republic Day memorial in Marsa.

25 December – Christmas, Christmas Day, Maltese Il-Milied

Christmas in Malta is a time for families to come together and celebrate the birth of Christ. There are traditional processions around Malta on 24 December with a statue of the baby Jesus. The highlight is the midnight mass.