What's Happening in Gozo This Christmas Season
From glowing gardens to living cribs, Gozo’s festive season shines brighter than ever.
There is something special about Christmas on the island of Gozo. As winter drapes the countryside in a soft calm, the streets begin to glow with warm light and festive music drifts through the air. The island transforms into a haven of celebration, where tradition and community come together in moments of pure joy. From charming markets to family festivities and spectacular celebrations, Christmas in Gozo is a season to savour in every sense.
The Magic of Villa Rundle Gardens
In the centre of Victoria, Villa Rundle Gardens become the beating heart of Gozo’s festive season. The gardens host the island’s beloved Christmas Market, where wooden stalls brim with handmade gifts, artisanal crafts and the scent of mulled wine. Local bakers and creators fill the air with the comforting aromas of the season, while carols add warmth to the atmosphere. As night falls, the same gardens transform into an enchanting world of light. The Illuminated Gardens trail, glowing softly through trees and arches, invites visitors to stroll beneath a canopy of colour. It is a setting that captures everything Christmas in Gozo represents; heartfelt, beautiful and quietly magical.
Christmas Markets: 5 to 8, 12 to 14, 19 to 24 December
Illuminated Trail: Open until 6 January
The Christmas Parade
On Saturday 20 December, the streets of Victoria come alive with the annual Christmas Parade, a dazzling celebration of colour and cheer. Floats decorated with twinkling lights glide past to the sound of festive music, while marching bands, dancers and Christmas characters fill Republic Street with joyful energy. Children wave eagerly as Santa makes his grand entrance, their laughter echoing through the crowd. It is one of those beautiful moments when the whole island unites in festive spirit, celebrating the magic of Christmas together.
Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem
Running on select dates from 14 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem is one of Gozo’s most remarkable and beloved Christmas attractions. It is a life size nativity village that brings the timeless story of the Nativity to life. Set on 20,000 square metres of land known as Ta’ Passi, just a short walk from the Mgarr harbour, this living crib transports visitors back two thousand years. Around one hundred and fifty actors animate the village. Bakers work at their ovens, shepherds tend their flocks, craftsmen carve wood and Roman soldiers patrol the streets. Horses turn mills, villagers trade at the market and a gentle re enactment of the Nativity is set within a humble barn. Families can cross a wooden rope bridge, visit a riverside tavern or pause to watch children learning old trades. The attention to detail and authenticity is extraordinary, creating a deeply moving experience that blends Maltese folklore with Christian tradition.
Dinja tat-Tfal
On 21 December, the Villa Rundle Gardens in Victoria turn into a children’s wonderland during Dinja tat-Tfal. Bright lights, rides, games and familiar characters fill the air with excitement. There are creative workshops, music and family activities designed to make every child’s eyes light up with joy. It is a celebration that captures the simple happiness of the festive season, one where children play freely and parents enjoy the cheerful atmosphere created in the gardens.
Gozo New Year’s Eve
The year reaches its most vibrant finale on Wednesday 31 December, when Independence Square in Victoria hosts Gozo New Year’s Eve 2026, a night filled with music, energy and celebration. This year’s programme brings an exciting international flair, headlined by Eiffel 65, whose iconic dance anthems are set to electrify the crowd as midnight approaches. As fireworks illuminate the skyline and the atmosphere fills with anticipation, locals and visitors gather to welcome 2026 in a setting that feels both exhilarating and warm. It is the perfect place to ring in the New Year; lively, memorable and unmistakably Gozo.
A Season to Remember
Whether wandering through a glowing garden, joining the excitement of a parade or sharing a quiet moment in a live nativity, Christmas in Gozo is a season woven with light, music and togetherness. Beyond the main festivities, local traditions continue to warm the heart, from the many public exhibitions of the presepju, as the Christmas crib is lovingly known, to the scent of homemade festive treats such as qagħaq tal-għasel and imbuljuta tal-qastan filling homes. The programme this year is remarkably rich, with 165 events taking place across the island. These include church concerts that fill historic naves with sacred music, street concerts that bring villages to life, theatrical performances, community celebrations and family activities. Every corner of Gozo offers its own expression of joy and devotion, creating a festive atmosphere that lasts well into the new year.
