Anyone visiting Malta in the summer is lucky to experience the traditional Maltese festas. Around
100 take place from May to September, and there is hardly a weekend without a celebration. Since
the 18th century, every Maltese town and village has celebrated its patron saint for a whole week
with people coming together to celebrate with food, music, and fireworks.

MUSIC
Festas offer a great opportunity to listen to traditional Maltese music, but of course the party
continues in the local clubs and bars. Dancing and partying go on until the early hours of the morning.

PARADES AND PROCESSIONS
Every village festa includes a parade or procession. The patron saint of the village church is carried
through the streets and sung to. Usually, the parade starts and ends at the village church and goes
through the main streets of the village, accompanied by music, a priest, and hundreds of people following.

FOOD
Festas are a great way to try traditional food, but you can also find fast food and sweets at the countless food stalls in the streets.

LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS
The streets and especially the churches are brightly lit and lavishly decorated during the festa week.
Especially villages with two churches - each with its own patron saint – like to compete when it
comes to the decorations, and you can see many streets and houses covered in banners, flags, lights,
and colours.

FIREWORK
The big fireworks display in honour of the patron saint, which usually takes place on the weekend of
each festival week, is particularly popular. Maltese love their fireworks, and during the festa season
they can be seen almost constantly in the sky or heard in the distance - whether by day or by night!

COMMUNITY
Although there are small rivalries between the churches and the villages, the festas are ultimately a
coming together of people who respect and celebrate their culture and tradition. The festivities
unite the Maltese and give room for religion, celebration, community, and fun at the same time.