Discover the Maltese Village Festa

Introduction to the Maltese Festa Tradition

A hallmark of Maltese culture is the festa. The Maltese have a deep reverence for their patron saints, and the village festa, originating from solemn religious celebrations, is held annually in their honor. Each village celebrates a different patron saint depending on the number of churches in the locality. Every year, around 95 festi take place in Malta and 10 in Gozo, with most occurring between May and September. This period is marked by vibrant merrymaking for the local community.

Historical Roots of the Festa

The festa tradition dates back to the rule of the Knights of St. John, specifically under Grandmaster De Rohan, who led the order from 1775 to 1797. A typical Maltese festa lasts three days or longer and features key elements such as religious processions, band marches, community gatherings, fireworks, and traditional sweets (as well as modern fast food).

Celebrating the Festa: Indoor and Outdoor Activities

To truly experience local life in Malta, there’s no better place than at a Maltese village festa. Each festa is divided into two parts: the festa interna (indoors), celebrated within the church precincts, and the festa esterna (outdoors), where festivities spill over into the main square and streets. Religious relics and damask tapestries adorn the inside of the church, with the statue of the patron saint placed at the center. The square is usually decorated with festoons and pavilions, often shaped like enormous Spanish fans and featuring images of the patron saint. These decorations typically require a year of preparation, crafted by local band club members who also manage the pyrotechnics and other festa embellishments.

Highlights of the Festa Calendar

The city of Senglea (Isla), part of the Cottonera area and one of the Three Cities, features some of the most popular festi on the Maltese Islands.

March and April: Regatta Races (March 31), Good Friday, and Easter Sunday Processions.

May and June: Senglea Day Festival, Senglea Maritime Festival, and the procession with the Redeemer (June 7).

September: Our Lady of Victories / Nativity of Our Lady Feast (September 8) and Regatta Races.

In August, Birgu (Vittoriosa) celebrates the St. Lawrence Feast, and in October, the Birgufest weekend features beautiful candlelight displays and the St. Dominic Feast.

Summary of Major Village Festas

Here is a summary of festi in the Grand Harbor area (including Valletta) and the Southeastern districts, detailing which locality celebrates which saint:

February 24: Valletta – St. Paulʼs Shipwreck

April 14: Floriana – St. Publius

May 22: Valletta – St. Rita

May 26: Tarxien – The Annunciation of Mary; Marsa – The Holy Trinity

June 16: Żejtun – St. Catherine

June 23: Qrendi – Our Lady of Lourdes

July 14: Fgura – Our Lady of Mount Carmel

July 16: Valletta – Our Lady of Mount Carmel

July 21: Tarxien – Our Lady of Holy Doctrine; Kalkara – St. Joseph; Żurrieq – Our Lady of Mount Carmel

July 28: Marsaskala – St. Anne; Paola – Christ the King

August 4: Birżebbuġa – St. Peter in Chains; Marsaxlokk – Our Lady of
Pompei; Valletta – St. Dominic

August 10: Birgu (Vittoriosa) – St. Laurence

August 21: Santa Luċija – St. Pius X

August 25: Marsa – Marija Reġina; Birgu (Vittoriosa) – St. Dominic

September 1: Qawra – St. Francis of Assisi; Żurrieq – St. Catherine

September 7: Valletta – Our Lady of Consolation

September 15: Żabbar – Our Lady of Graces; Valletta – St. Augustine

September 29: Marsa – Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi

October 11: Marsa – Our Lady of the Rosary

December 8: Cospicua / Tal-Ibraġ – Immaculate Conception

Artistic Representation of the Festa Spirit

To illustrate the fervor prevalent among participants and organizers of these religious festi, we have decorated our Cabrighar bedroom with sculptural artwork by artist Michel Rico. The 24 small subjects created by the artist, arranged in a perfect circle, evoke the gentle spirituality that radiates from these vibrant celebrations.