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Last updated November 2026. Dates come from the Ministry for Gozo’s official Christmas in Gozo 2026 programme.
Christmas in Gozo 2026 runs from Saturday 28 November 2026 to Wednesday 6 January 2027. Victoria lights up with the Villa Rundle Illuminated Gardens and a Christmas Market, the villages open their cribs, and Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem brings the Nativity to life in the fields above Mġarr. Most events are free.
Christmas on Gozo is gentler than on the mainland, and that is its charm: carols in candlelit churches, honey rings and coffee after village carol evenings, and a festive calendar you can enjoy without rushing. Here is what not to miss.
| Event | Date and time | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas It’s Time, the official opening | Sat 28 Nov, 19:30 | Teatru Astra, Victoria |
| Villa Rundle Illuminated Gardens | 28 Nov to 6 Jan | Villa Rundle Gardens, Victoria |
| Christmas Market | 29 Nov to 24 Dec, selected days | Villa Rundle Gardens, Victoria |
| Christmas Magic | 29 Nov to 6 Jan | Għar Ilma, Santa Luċija |
| Carols by Candlelight | 4 and 5 Dec, 19:30 | St Augustine’s Friary, Victoria |
| Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem | 12 Dec to 3 Jan, selected days | Ta’ Passi fields, Għajnsielem |
| Christmas Parade | Sat 19 Dec, 20:00 | Republic Street, Victoria |
| Dinja tat-Tfal | Sun 20 Dec, 10:00 to 17:00 | Villa Rundle Gardens, Victoria |
| Il-Pageant tal-Milied | Sun 20 Dec, 18:00 | San Lawrenz Square |
| Gozo New Year’s Eve | Thu 31 Dec, from 21:00 | Independence Square, Victoria |
| Adoration of the Magi | Sun 3 Jan 2027, 15:00 | Mġarr Harbour and Ta’ Passi fields, Għajnsielem |
The season opens on Saturday 28 November with Christmas It’s Time at Teatru Astra, the official launch of the programme (free, with tickets through teatruastra.org.mt). The same evening, Villa Rundle Gardens switch on their lights: glowing paths, sparkling trees and gingerbread scenes, free to enjoy until 6 January. On selected days until Christmas Eve, the Christmas Market fills the gardens with gifts, crafts and seasonal treats. Our guide to Christmas at Villa Rundle has the market’s opening hours.
The big night is Saturday 19 December at 20:00, when the Christmas Parade brings music, dancers, lights and Father Christmas along Republic Street. Arrive early for a good spot.
Now in its 17th edition, Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem turns 20,000 square metres of fields into a village from the time of the Nativity, with costumed villagers, traditional crafts and live animals. It opens on 12 December and runs on selected days until 3 January, when the Three Kings cross from Malta for the Adoration of the Magi. Our Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem 2026 guide lists every opening time.
Santa’s Workshop at Ta’ Dbieġi Crafts Village in Għarb (12 December, 10:00 to 16:00) offers artisan workshops, a treasure hunt and photos with Santa. Santa’s Factory and The Glowing Alley in Xewkija (11 to 13 December, 17:00 to 21:00) leads families down a lit path to a show by Santa’s elves. In Victoria, Dinja tat-Tfal fills Villa Rundle with festive play on 20 December, free of charge, and Frosty’s Wonderland takes over Qala’s family park on 27 December.
Victoria hosts fifteen Christmas concerts this year, from Carols by Candlelight at St Augustine’s Friary (4 and 5 December) to a Baroque Christmas at St George’s Basilica (2 December). Our guide to Christmas concerts in Victoria has the full line up.
On Christmas Eve, Nadur and Qala carry the Baby Jesus through their streets at 19:00 with band music, before Midnight Mass across the island. On Christmas Day at 19:00, Nadur’s basilica hosts its grand Christmas concert, complete with the traditional sermon given by a child. On 26 December, Gozo joins L-Istrina, Malta’s Christmas charity appeal, with band music on the Marsalforn seafront.
Gozo welcomes 2027 at Gozo New Year’s Eve in Independence Square, Victoria, on Thursday 31 December, free from 21:00, with international guest GALA, The Travellers, Rebecca & The Passengers and DJ Terra. On Sunday 3 January, the Three Kings arrive on horseback in Xagħra’s Victory Square at 10:30, and in the afternoon the Magi cross from Malta for the Adoration of the Magi in Għajnsielem.
From 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027.
Yes, at Villa Rundle Gardens in Victoria, on selected days from 29 November to 24 December.
Saturday 19 December at 20:00, along Republic Street in Victoria.
Most are, including the Illuminated Gardens, the Christmas Market, the Christmas Parade and New Year’s Eve. A few, such as Carols by Candlelight, ask you to book your seat in advance.
The Gozo Channel ferry crosses from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr in about 25 minutes, and buses run from Mġarr to Victoria. Check holiday timetables around Christmas and New Year.
On eventsingozo.com and the Events in Gozo app.
The easiest way to enjoy Christmas in Gozo is to stay in Victoria, and Townhouse 17 puts you right in the middle of it. Our boutique B&B sits right opposite Victoria’s bus terminus, a few minutes’ walk from Villa Rundle Gardens, the Christmas Market, Republic Street and It-Tokk. When the parade ends or the last carol fades, you are back in your room in minutes.
Every village in Gozo is a bus ride from the terminus across the road, so Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem, the cribs of Xagħra and the lights of Santa Luċija are easy to reach without a car or the hunt for parking.
At the end of the day, come back to one of our nine comfortable rooms, a rooftop terrace with views of the Citadel and breakfast every morning. Guests also enjoy 10% off at Chapeau Bistro downstairs, HOG and Cup Cake.
Your Christmas in Gozo starts here. Book directly at townhouse17.com for our best available rates.
