Christmas Markets in Malta 2026: Where to Go and Shop
Christmas markets in Malta are packed into December, and the two to plan around are Natalis Notabilis in Rabat and Fairyland Santa’s City at the entrance to Valletta. Between them you can buy handmade gifts, eat imbuljuta and honey rings from a stall, and ride a Ferris wheel, all without a car if you stay on the Gżira waterfront.
This guide covers when each market is listed to open, what is worth buying, and how to reach each one from Gżira and Sliema. Christmas Day falls on a Friday this year, so the last full shopping weekend is Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December. For the lights, the cribs and New Year’s Eve, read our festive guide to Christmas in Malta 2026.
When the Christmas Markets in Malta Open in 2026
Natalis Notabilis and the Woodland Christmas Market are listed to start on the first weekend of December and run for about ten days. Fairyland has not announced its 2026 dates yet. Last season it ran from 5 December to 4 January, and the organisers usually confirm in November, so check before you plan travel around it.
The artisan markets in Naxxar are held on single days, which makes them easy to miss. Confirm the date on the organiser’s page before you set out.
Natalis Notabilis in Rabat: The Biggest Market
Natalis Notabilis is the largest Christmas market on the islands and the most traditional. It fills the historic streets of Rabat with stalls selling crafts, food and festive gifts, alongside cribs and live entertainment. Rabat sits next to Mdina, so pair the market with a slow walk through the old capital before the evening crowds arrive.
Rabat is inland, which makes this a bus or taxi trip from Gżira rather than a stroll. Allow most of an afternoon and travel back before the last buses thin out.
Fairyland and the Valletta Market at the City Gate
Fairyland takes over Pjazza Tritoni, just outside Valletta’s City Gate, and stretches into Floriana. Last season’s edition combined an ice-skating rink, a Ferris wheel, mini games and a Christmas artisan market, so it works for families and for anyone who just wants a mulled wine and a browse. The main Valletta bus terminus sits beside the square.
The simplest route from Gżira is the ferry from Sliema Ferries across Marsamxett Harbour. Valletta View Apartments is around five minutes from the ferry and looks straight across the water at the city, so you can spend the afternoon at the stalls and still be home before the evening chill sets in.
Smaller Markets in Naxxar and Ta’ Qali
Naxxar hosts artisan Christmas markets at Palazzo Parisio and, usually, Hilltop Gardens, where local makers sell handmade gifts, artwork and festive treats. The Woodland Christmas Market sets up around the Oak Tree Circle in Ta’ Qali National Park, listed for the same days as Natalis Notabilis.
Both are inland, so treat each as a half day by bus or taxi and check opening days first. They suit shoppers who want fewer crowds and more makers.
What to Buy and Eat at the Christmas Markets in Malta
Start with the food. Qagħaq tal-għasel are ring-shaped pastries filled with treacle, spice and citrus peel, and you will find them at most stalls in December. Imbuljuta tal-qastan is a hot chestnut and cocoa drink flavoured with cloves and citrus zest, traditionally served after midnight mass. Mince pies and panettone are common too.
For gifts, look for Maltese glass, lace, filigree jewellery, honey and pottery. If you want to keep shopping beyond December, our guide to Malta’s shopping spots from Valletta to Gozo covers Republic Street, Sliema’s malls and the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village.
Getting to the Christmas Markets in Malta from Gżira
Valletta is the easy one: ferry from Sliema, or a bus to the terminus beside Pjazza Tritoni. Rabat, Naxxar and Ta’ Qali are all inland, so plan on buses or a taxi booked through Bolt or eCabs. Our guide to getting around Malta by bus, ferry and taxi explains the options.
Public holidays on Tuesday 8 December and Sunday 13 December mean reduced timetables, so build in spare time. Daytime highs in December sit in the mid to high teens in °C and evenings are cooler, so bring a jacket for the stalls.
Where to Stay for Christmas Markets in Malta
Valletta View Apartments is the natural base for Fairyland and Valletta evenings: sea-view apartments facing the city, around five minutes from the Sliema ferry. Bayview Hotel & Spa is also around five minutes from the ferry, and its Sea Salt Spa, sauna, jacuzzi and indoor pool are a good way to warm up after a cool night at the stalls. Blubay Apartments gives every guest a kitchen or kitchenette, so you can bring home market treats and cook your own meals, and it accepts dogs with prior approval for anyone travelling with a pet.
Dates and programmes can change, so confirm each market before you travel, and read the history of Valletta for background on the streets you will be walking. For official listings and updates, see the Malta Tourism Authority.
