Public holidays in Malta


is the country with the most holidays in the European Union. Since 2020, any holidays falling on Saturdays or Sundays add an extra day to the workers' leave pool, reverting to the pre 2005 system.

National holidays

Public holidays

Traditional Feasts

The following is a list of feasts or special days celebrated in Malta. Note that, with the exception of the dates mentioned in the previous section, these feasts are not public holidays and on these days, business runs as usual across the Maltese islands. As Malta is largely Roman Catholic, most of these feasts celebrate Saints or events from the Holy Bible.

January

January is known by the Maltese as ix-xahar tal-bard

February

February is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar ta' San Pawl'
  • 2 February: Candlemas
  • 3 February: Saint Blase
  • 10 February: Saint Paul's Shipwreck in Valletta, Marsalforn and Munxar
  • 14 February: Saint Valentine

March

March is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar ta' San Ġużepp, tal-Lunzjata u tar-roħs'

April

April is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tan-nwhar u ta' San Girgor'.
  • 1 April: April Fool's Day
  • First Wednesday after Easter Sunday: Saint Gregory
  • 6 April: Saint Publius in Floriana
  • 23 April: Saint George in Qormi and Victoria
The following feasts are moveable, as they can occur either in March or in April.

May

May is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tal-ħsad u tal-Madonna ta' Pompej'

June

June is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tad-dris, tal-ħġejjeġ, tal-Imnarja, u tal-Qalb ta' Ġesù'

July

July is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tal-Karmnu'.

August

August is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tal-frott, ta' Santa Marija u ta' San Lawrenz'.

September

September is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tal-Vitorja, tal-Bambina, u tal-Grazzja'.

October

October is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tar-Rużarju'.
  • Our Lady of the Rosary different villages in Malta and Gozo celebrate Our Lady of Rosary on different days in October

November

November is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tal-inżigħ tal-weraq, tal-erwieħ, u tal-imwiet'.
  • 2 November: All Souls Day
  • 11 November: Saint Martin of Tours
  • 22 November: Saint Cecilia
  • 25 November: Saint Catherine of Alexandria
  • First Sunday after 25 November: Christ the King

December

December is known by the Maltese as 'ix-xahar tal-Milied u tal-Kunċizzjoni'
  • 8 December: Immaculate Conception in Cospicua
  • 13 December: Republic Day ; Saint Lucy in Mtarfa
  • 25 December: Christmas, with its traditional procession with the statue of Infant Jesus
  • 26 December: Saint Stephen
  • 28 December: Innocent Saints
  • 31 December: Saint Silvester

Distinction between National and Public Holidays

Article 3 of the National Holidays and Other Public Holidays Act provides the distinction between National and Public Holidays.

The National Holidays shall be public holidays and on those occasions there shall be flown on public buildings the National Flag of Malta.