Planning a Trip? Here Are Malta’s Public Holidays in 2026
If you are planning a trip to Malta in 2026, it is worth keeping the island’s public holidays in mind. These dates can affect opening hours, transport, and availability, but they can also be a great time to visit, especially if you enjoy a livelier atmosphere or want to experience local celebrations.
In 2026, several public holidays fall at the start or end of the working week, creating natural long weekends. Good Friday on 3 April, Workers’ Day on 1 May, Christmas Day on 25 December, L-Imnarja on 29 June, and Independence Day on 21 September all land on a Friday or Monday. For visitors, this often means busier weekends, a stronger local buzz, and occasional closures of offices and some businesses.
Other public holidays fall midweek, mostly on Tuesdays or Thursdays. While these are quieter in terms of travel, they still bring a change of pace to daily life on the island. Shops and attractions generally remain open, though banks and government offices close, and some towns may host small events or religious celebrations.
Key midweek holidays in 2026 include the Feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck on Tuesday 10 February, the Feast of St Joseph on Thursday 19 March, Freedom Day on Tuesday 31 March, Victory Day on Tuesday 8 September, and the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday 8 December. These dates are often marked by church services, local festivities, or village events rather than large-scale public celebrations.
Summer public holidays such as Sette Giugno on 7 June, the Feast of the Assumption on 15 August, and Republic Day on 13 December can coincide with peak travel periods. While these dates rarely disrupt sightseeing plans, accommodation and restaurants may book up faster, particularly in popular areas.
Here is the full list of Malta’s public holidays for 2026:
1 January, Thursday, New Year’s Day
10 February, Tuesday, Feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck
19 March, Thursday, Feast of St Joseph
31 March, Tuesday, Freedom Day
3 April, Friday, Good Friday
1 May, Friday, Workers’ Day
7 June, Sunday, Sette Giugno
29 June, Monday, Feast of St Peter and St Paul
15 August, Saturday, Feast of the Assumption
8 September, Tuesday, Victory Day
21 September, Monday, Independence Day
8 December, Tuesday, Immaculate Conception
13 December, Sunday, Republic Day
25 December, Friday, Christmas Day
For travellers, these dates are mainly useful for planning. Public holidays can mean quieter offices, busier weekends, and the occasional local event, but they rarely get in the way of sightseeing.
