The festa is the main social event in the village year and the week is the outcome of months of hard work by willing volunteers and villagers to feel a strong, close-knit

camaraderie after so many months of preparation.

 

The church bells that ring all week are more than just a call to mass. They mark five days of spiritual preparation during which whole families flock to church. Celebrations begin with three days of prayer leading up to the feast day. Churches hold vespers and mass with special hymns dedicated to the patron saint.

 

On the eve of the feast, vespers and mass are at around 6pm. The village band clubs hold their concerts and later on, at around 10pm, the grand fireworks display takes place.

On the feast day itself, Solemn High Mass is early in the morning at 9am. The priest gives a eulogy on the patron saint and calls on his parishioners to lead more exemplary lives. Evening time is when the vespers are held again. The statue of the patron saint is carried shoulder high to the accompaniment of brass bands and showered with confetti as it wends its way through the streets.

SPECIAL EVENT: The Grand Opening of
La Caverna, Wine Bar. Take advantage of great offers...
40% off Room Rates, 25% Discount on our Spa treatments
and 25% Discount at our restaurants and bars. We look forward to show you around. Make your own Kempinski Experience. Its an honour to have you visiting us!

It commemorates the shipwreck of the Apostle St Paul on the Maltese Islands, an event which took place in 60 AD and which is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. The feast is also a National Public Holiday. The village of Munxar in Gozo also celebrates this feast on the same day. 

On the island of Malta, the main activities are happening in Valletta. In Gozo, traditional carnival celebrations take place in Victoria. However, the "spontaneous" carnival in Nadur is the major crowd puller on the island of Gozo - an event that should not be missed!

One of our suggestions for this special day is to treat your loved one to a romantic dinner for two at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz.

Popularly known as May Day or International Workers' Day, the 1st of May is also a public holiday in Malta and Gozo. Activities commemorating this event take place mostly in Valletta. The date also coincides with the religious feast of St Joseph the Worker celebrated in the town of B'Kara.

Most of the concerts, which are free of charge, start at 20.00hrs. See below link for the complete programme of events. Further information can be obtained by contacting St George's Parish Office on telephone (356) 21556377.

Ghasri, reached by forking right on the Rabat–Gharb road just after the aqueduct, is dominated by a lighthouse on Gurdan hill. Gurdan lighthouse, rising 180 metres above sea level, was inaugurated in 1853. Its beam can be seen up to 50 kilometres away. There are some marvellous views from its upper terrace. From the village square, a road leads to Wied il-Ghasri. On the way, there are a number of typical farmhouses, as well as an old chapel dedicated to the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Fontana, locally referred to as Triq tal-Ghajn, (the way to the spring), took its name from a bountiful spring.

This architectural masterpiece was built next to an old chapel (still existing), where it is profoundly believed that back in 1883, Our Lady has spoken to a devotee from Gharb named Karmni Grima.

On November 27, 1678, Xewkija became the first parish to be established outside Victoria, the main town of Gozo.

The name is derived from the Italian word luminaria (illumination), and has a deep relation with our traditions and folklore.

The building of the present parish church dedicated to St Margaret commenced on the site of a smaller church in 1718, but it underwent several structural changes in the 1860s.

Once again this sleepy, idyllic Gozitan vilagg will come alive as the wine festival gets underway at the Gnien il-Kunsill. The festival will open at 7.00pm and last wines will be served at 11.30pm before closing at midnight with live entertainment every evening.

In the latter, the connection with Malta was two-fold: the bombardments by the ‘Aeronautica' were over and the Italian Navy was brought to Malta to remain moored at St. Paul's Bay until the end of the war.

 

The morning is taken up by various State ceremonies amongst which a parade by the Armed Forces of Malta. During the afternoon, an avidly contested traditional rowing boat regatta is held in the Grand Harbour. In the evening, there are at least four towns in Malta and Gozo, which celebrate the feast of Our Lady as a Child (Maria Bambina/Our Lady of Victory). Indeed the feast which is centuries old changed its name to Il-Madonna tal-Vitorja, following the end of the Great Siege of 1565.

 

The event is hosted by the Menhir Qala Folk Group, and together with local and foreign folk groups they present numerous performances. The commemoration of local traditions related to children’s games and a traditional mock wedding add to the entertainment value of this event, which also stretches over to Malta for a day.

 

It is indeed a showpiece of a hundred things, an opportunity for a break from the routine of conventional life; a chance to immerse oneself in the mellow world of Gozo’s autumn, and explore and live the cultural tradition of its 7000 years of history.

The atmosphere is simply unique. The land known locally as Ta’ Passi is slowly changed into a large living crib, where horses turn mills, villagers go about their jobs, shepherds inhabit caves, animals roam in enclosed spaces and a poor unknown couple tend their newly-born in a stable.

The Nadur Christmas Market will be held from December 7 to December 9. Activities will include crib making, a Neapolitan Crib, a stall with Christmas items, entertainment, Mago Marino, photos with Santa, story telling, sugar modelling, citrus activity, and much more.

Moulded on the British type of Christmas varieties, the show is a mix of live band music, choirs, singing, stand-up comedies, satire, and dance. Booking for this show is not yet open. All proceeds go in aid of charity.