Christmas in Gozo 2018 is a very special time of the year. Just imagine an entire five weeks of non stop activities and events on the island of Gozo, Malta. Check out our top 10 things to do and see during your Malta holidays this Christmas. All activities and events mentioned are entrance free.
1. Gozo Christmas Village
Ghajnsielem – between Sunday 9 December 2018 and Sunday 6 January 2019
Bethlehem in Ghajnsielem Gozo 2018
Gozo Christmas Village or as it is popularly known as Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem opens on Sunday 9 December 2018 at 3.30pm and remains open until Sunday 6 January 2019 8.00pm.
The Nativity Village takes place in an area locally known as ‘Ta’ Passi’. It is just a stone’s throw from the main centre of the village-by-the-sea of Ghajnsielem on the island of Gozo, Malta. The whole animated village is spread over a 20,000sqm of land and through various combined works of the local council and volunteers, the first Christmas village is created to provide a wonderful Christmas atmosphere.
2. Christmas Market at Villa Rundle
Victoria – various dates and times below
Christmas market at Villa Rundle Victoria, Gozo
While visiting Gozo’s capital, Victoria, it is just a 3 minutes walk from the bus station to the beautiful Villa Rundle Gardens. A lovely Christmas market is set up on selected dates between the 2nd and the 23rd of December for Gozo’s Christmas Market.
During Christmas in Gozo 2018 festivities, the gardens will be transformed into a magical experience featuring stalls from all over Gozo having different artisan Christmas products, food and services on offer.
3. Christmas Concert at St. George’s Basilica
Victoria – Sunday 16 December 8.00pm
Christmas Concert St George basilica Gozo
The annual Christmas concert organised by Chorus Urbanus Productions has now been in production for almost a quarter of a century. It established itself as one of the traditional Christmas events here in Gozo. The concert offers a moment of entertainment for the whole family to share with us during this festive season. Chorus Urbanus Juniors and Chorus Urbanus, along with Urbanus Festive Orchestra, under the direction of Dr John Galea, always indulge the festive character with the local artists, musicians and voices that make this concert a formidable experience for all Gozitans during the Christmas period.
4. Oh Silent Night – 50th Edition of the Christmas Pageant
San Lawrenz – Sunday 23 December 6.00pm
Christmas pageant San Lawrenz Gozo
This Pageant narrates the story of Salvation, from Creation to the Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. In this Pageant almost half the population of the village of San Lawrenz takes part and is performed in the main roads and residential homes. Actors in Biblical costumes will narrate the greatest story ever told. Finally, in the main square a Christmas spectacle will be organised to commemorate its 50 years. This event is organised in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo.
5. Christmas Procession and Pageant
Nadur – Monday 24 December 7.00pm
Christmas procession and pagaent Nadur Gozo
A traditional procession with the statuette of Baby Jesus with the participation of children attending the Society of Christian Doctrine MUSEUM, winds through the streets of Nadur accompanied by the Mnarja Band performing traditional Christmas carols. The procession will take the form of a Pageant featuring a number of people representing Biblical figures.
6. Pop into Christmas in Gozo 2018 spectacular concert
Victoria – Tuesday 25 December 1.00am in St. George’s Square
Pop into Christmas spectacular concert
A Christmas Concert by DCAPITALS Band, exactly after the Midnight Mass at St George’s Basilica. The concert, which is presented in collaboration with The Grapes Wine Bar and Tepie’s Coffee Bar, will feature all-time Christmas favourites and other pop music with the participation of the band’s resident singers under the direction of Mro George Apap.
7. Christmas Concert at Nadur Basilica
Nadur – Tuesday 25 December 7.00pm
Christmas Concert at Nadur Basilica
The Grand Christmas Concert will be held at the Nadur Basilica under the direction of Mro Antoine Theuma. An orchestra, the Society of Christian Doctrine MUSEUM Choir and other established Gozitan singers are going to perform in this concert. The event also features a poetry recital session, a short play and the child’s traditional Christmas sermon.
8. Xaghra Cribs By Night
Xaghra – Saturday 29 December 3.30pm to 8.30pm around the whole town
Gozo Christmas cribs
The Għaqda Milied fix-Xagħra is once more providing the unique opportunity to visit the twenty-five artistic cribs, varying from static to mechanical and a life-size one. This tour takes visitors by minibus around the town. An experienced guide will accompany the group with a running commentary in both English and Maltese. It will visit the Xagħra Basilica, beautifully decorated for Christmas, including an artistic bambino in papier-mache made in Lecce, Italy by Profs Luigi Guacci.
9. Gozo New Year’s Eve 2019 Celebrations
Victoria – Monday 31 December 2018 9.30pm at Independence Square & St. George’s Square
Gozo New Years Eve 2019
The event will be bigger, better and spectacular, like never before. Gozo surely has to be THE destination to say goodbye to 2018 and welcome the new year 2019.
Surely an event not to be missed!
10. Adoration of the Magi
Xaghra – Sunday 6 January 2019 10.30 – 11.00am
Ghajnsielem – Sunday afternoon 6 January 2019
Adoration of the Magi Xaghra Gozo
“La Cavalcata dei Re Magi” – The Arrival of the Three Kings
Post (Venue): Victory Square, Xagħra
This activity will be held on the solemnity of the feast of the Epiphany. During this event the Holy Family will make their way to the parvisfollowed by five shepherds who pay homage to Baby Jesus. The Three Wise Men, in oriental Biblical outfits, arrive on horseback accompanied by servants carrying the Three Biblical presents – gold, incense and myrrh. The re-enactment will be organised by the Għaqda Il-Milied fix-Xagħra with the collaboration of the Xagħra Historical Re-Enactment Organisation, Xagħra Parish and the Xagħra Local Council.
Bethlehem in Ghajnsielem Gozo
Il-Wasla tas-Slaten Maġi
Adoration of the Magi
Post (Venue): Ta’ Passi Mġarr Road, Għajnsielem
Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem will close with the “Adoration of the Magi” on Sunday 6th January. The Three Kings will depart on horseback from a yet-to-be announced destination in Europe on the 2nd of January with the journey continuing on the Feast of the Epiphany when on Sunday morning they will depart from a village in Malta before crossing the ferry and make the triumphal entrance in the Nativity Village late in the afternoon to pay homage to the Baby Jesus. More details on facebook.com/bethlehem.f.ghajnsielem
