There is always a flurry of excitement in March and April in Malta! These events combine energetic street parties, parades, and strong religious traditions, which include St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. Experience the excitement of the Irish celebrations then the sombre beauty of Holy Week.
Don’t miss out on these celebrations of culture and history as this guide takes you through all the must-seen events!
For a great experience during these festivities, many visitors choose to stay at ST Hotels in Gzira and Sliema. All ST Hotels locations offer comfortable rooms with easy access to the celebrations. Book your stay today to enjoy Malta’s rich culture and traditions, while relaxing in a welcoming and convenient ST Hotels location.
St. Patrick’s Day’s Malta overview
Celebrated on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day honours the patron saint of Ireland. Although it began in Ireland, this day marks worldwide celebration of Irish customs and culture.
Particularly in St. Julian’s and Valletta, St. Patrick’s Day is observed in Malta with street events, parades, and gatherings. It’s a singular experience since the day combines Maltese culture with Irish customs.
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and customs
Especially in areas like St. Julian’s and Valletta, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in Malta with street celebrations, parades, and gatherings. It’s an unusual experience since the day combines Maltese culture with Irish customs.
St. Julian’s is well-known for its vibrant street celebration down the waterfront. With many neighbourhood clubs and restaurants hosting Irish-themed parties, the area is alive with music, dancing, and a festive vibe. Both residents and visitors frequent this site to participate in the celebrations. Usually starting at around 11 AM, the major celebrations take place along St. George’s Road.
A great way to enjoy the day is by doing a bar crawl that starts in Gzira and ends in St. Julian’s. This lets you travel to numerous locations and enjoy the celebrations without having to worry about traffic, parking, bus waiting, or drunk driving.
You should start your pub crawl from the Spritz pub at the Bayview Hotel in Gzira. It’s a cosy place with a friendly atmosphere, perfect for starting the celebration and sure to get you in the partying mood.
Celebrating Easter in Malta
Easter is an important Christian holiday in Malta, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a time for many religious events and traditions.
The week before Easter, known as Holy Week, is filled with religious processions, especially on Good Friday, when towns and villages hold marches to remember the Passion of Christ. Easter Sunday marks the height of the celebrations, with family get—togethers, band marches, and happy events.
Easter Customs and Events
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday (13 April), a day of reflection. During this time, processions take place in the streets of nearly all of Malta’s villages, where palm branches and olive leaves are blessed with Holy Water. Such processions usually take place in the morning, around 9 or 10 am, but you’ll need to check the event schedules for different parishes.
On Maundy Thursday (17 April), people take part in the tradition of visiting seven churches, known as “the seven visits,” to show respect. The churches are decorated in purple and black, symbolising mourning. The church bells are also replaced by a large wooden clapper (ċuqlajta). Another tradition is the pilgrimage to Laferla Cross in Siggiewi, where hundreds of pilgrims walk up a hill lit by candles to remember Jesus’ journey to Golgotha. All of this usually happens in the evening, past 5 pm.
Good Friday (18 April) is marked by processions that recreate the suffering and death of Christ. People dress as characters from the Bible and carry statues through the streets. The atmosphere is solemn, and some penitents walk barefoot as a sign of devotion. The most notable procession takes place in Valletta, starting at 6 pm, but most of the parishes in Malta hold processions starting at around 5 or 6 pm and concluding around 4 to 5 hours later.
Then, Easter Sunday (20 April) brings a shift from sadness to joy. The church bells ring, and a procession of the Risen Christ takes place with music and celebrations. Confetti falls from balconies, and people cheer as the statue is carried through the streets. However, it’s worth noting that the outdoor festivities usually conclude by lunchtime, as many people then join their extended families for a big family lunch to celebrate the resurrection.
The Bottom Line
St. Patrick’s Day and Easter in Malta bring exciting celebrations that mix Irish and Maltese traditions with meaningful religious events. The street parties and parades create a lively atmosphere, while the processions during Holy Week offer a time for reflection.
