New Year´s Eve

How does Malta celebrate New Year’s Eve and Happy New Year?

Malta is world-famous for its spectacular fireworks displays. However, the Maltese seem to tire of fireworks on New Year’s Eve. St George’s Square and the waterfront in Valletta, the capital of Malta, is expecting around 10 per cent of the population. Enjoy New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Malta with a warm cup of Imbuljuta Tal-Qastan, live music and mild temperatures above 15 degrees. Without fireworks, St Julian’s and Paceville offer dancing and partying until the early hours of the morning.

Are the Maltese tired of the fireworks on New Year’s Eve?

In fact, on New Year’s Eve there is hardly anything to be seen of the fantastic fireworks displays during the months of May to September, the traditional celebrations of the patron saints. For Malta, the fireworks highlights are the International Fireworks Festival and the 380 or so fireworks festivals (Village Feasts) in the villages, towns and churches. New Year’s Eve remains rather quiet. This is because only the setting off and lighting of fireworks that pose a very low risk and a negligible noise level of category F1 are permitted without certified expertise. These are fireworks that are intended for use in enclosed spaces and residential buildings.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Malta

The most interesting places with fireworks in Malta are…

St. George’s Square
Waterfront of Valletta
Floriana

St George’s Square and Valletta’s waterfront are popular meeting points and great places to experience the famous Maltese party atmosphere. This is where locals, foreigners and tourists meet for the countdown and are surprised with a fireworks display. Valletta’s Ministry of Culture expects up to 50,000 visitors. Free concerts by live bands and jazz bands provide the perfect musical backdrop.

Party in Paceville and St Julians is always a good idea

If you can party without the firework spectacle, there are countless clubs and discos in Paceville. They are open until the early hours of the morning for dancing and partying.

Are private fireworks and firecrackers allowed on New Year’s Eve in Malta?

In Malta, the use of fireworks is generally permitted on New Year’s Eve. This is because fireworks have a long tradition on the Maltese islands dating back to the 16th century. The Order of Malta or the Order of St John (Knights of Malta) used fireworks on special festive occasions and elements from this period can still be found in Maltese firework creations today.

Under Maltese law, fireworks may only be set off in certain areas with the appropriate licences. These areas are usually public squares or other designated areas.

World of Malta insider tip: Instead of mulled wine, try a cup of Imbuljuta Tal-Qastan

Instead of champagne or sparkling wine, enjoy a cup of Imbuljuta Tal-Qastan. It is a warming concoction of luxurious hot chocolate with dried chestnuts, cocoa, tangerine peel, cloves and sugar.

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When does Malta's New Year's Eve party start in Valletta?

Valletta’s biggest end-of-year event starts at 8.30pm and ends at 2am.

How do the bus connections and taxis run on New Year's Day?

On New Year’s Eve, the night buses run until around 2.30 am. Due to the expected traffic, some buses will be delayed, so that a bus may still be passing by at 3 am. The night buses are simply labelled with an N. For example, the N13 runs between St Julians and Valletta Central Station until 2.30am. The N212 runs between Sliema and Buġibba via St Julian’s. Aug Gozo the N301 runs between the ferry harbour Mġarr and Gozo’s capital Victoria.

If you do not have a free bus ticket (Personalised Tallinja Card), you pay 3 euros for 2 hours. It is almost 20 per cent cheaper with the 12 Single Day Journeys card.

All additional buses with departure times are provided by local public transport available on the website from 19 December.

What is the weather like on New Year's Eve and New Year in Malta?

Malta delights guests with a mild 16 to 18 degrees. Too warm for mulled wine, but just about acceptable for celebrating in a T-shirt and shorts. A blue, slightly cloudy sky awaits the revellers.