26
celebration dates in this diary
Plan around the festa calendar
Find the celebration that fits your Gozo trip
A Gozo festa is more than a single procession. Streets are dressed in banners and lights, bands march through the village, church ceremonies lead into the main feast day and fireworks build from daytime petards to late-evening displays. The programme often begins several days before the date shown below.
For the atmosphere, etiquette and practical details, read our guide to experiencing a Gozo festa.
9
months with listed festivities
4
Victoria celebrations across the year
Month-by-month diary
Gozo village festa dates for 2026
Dates are shown chronologically. Follow each linked village name for local history, landmarks and practical information.
February
1 celebration
25 February
Marsalforn
Saint Paul
An early-season feast that arrives well before Gozo’s busiest summer celebrations.
March
1 celebration
8 March
Kerċem
Gregory the Great — San Girgor
Kerċem honours two patrons during the year. Its celebrations for Our Lady of Succour return in July.
May
2 celebrations
24 May
Għajnsielem
St Anthony of Padua
An early summer celebration before the larger Għajnsielem feast of Our Lady of Loreto in August.
31 May
Munxar
St Paul Shipwreck — San Pawl
June
5 celebrations
7 June
Għasri
Corpus Christi
14 June
Fontana
Sacred Heart of Jesus
21 June
Xewkija
St John the Baptist
Celebrations gather around Xewkija’s Rotunda, whose vast dome dominates the centre of the village.
22 June
Għarb
Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu
Associated with the National Shrine and Basilica of Ta’ Pinu outside Għarb.
29 June
Nadur
St Peter and St Paul — l-Imnarja
One of Gozo’s liveliest festas, with a strong village atmosphere and powerful fireworks displays.
July
4 celebrations
5 July
Għarb
The Visitation of Our Lady
Known for the Infiorata, an intricate carpet made from thousands of flower petals before the statue of Our Lady passes in procession.
12 July
Kerċem
Our Lady of Relief — Our Lady of Succour
The celebration includes a children’s procession, the “procession of the Two” with Our Lady and St Gregory, and the main procession.
19 July
Victoria
St George
A major island celebration centred on St George’s Square, with band marches, fireworks and the grand Sunday procession.
26 July
Ta’ Sannat
St Margaret
August
5 celebrations
2 August
Qala
St Joseph
9 August
San Lawrenz
St Lawrence
15 August
Victoria
The Assumption of Our Lady — Santa Marija
Centred on the Cathedral in the Cittadella and coinciding with a major Maltese public holiday. Expect large crowds, festivities around the Aurora Theatre and traditional horse racing along Republic Street. Book accommodation and transport early.
23 August
Żebbuġ
The Assumption of Our Lady — Santa Marija
Its hilltop setting offers memorable fireworks views towards Marsalforn and Qbajjar. This is Żebbuġ on Gozo, not Ħaż-Żebbuġ in Malta.
30 August
Għajnsielem
Our Lady of Loreto
The larger Għajnsielem feast has a distinctive cloth tradition: villagers create matching garments from a fabric chosen specially for that year.
September
4 celebrations
6 September
Xlendi
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The bay hosts the ġostra, a slippery pole challenge in which competitors try to reach a flag suspended over the water.
8 September
Xagħra
The Nativity of Our Lady — Il-Bambina
The feast coincides with Victory Day, filling Xagħra’s large square with one of the season’s most atmospheric celebrations.
13 September
Victoria
Our Lady of Graces
Held at the Capuchins’ church and traditionally marking the close of the main summer festa season.
27 September
Xagħra
Jesus of Nazareth — Nazzarenu
October
1 celebration
11 October
Għasri
Our Lady of Patronage
Għasri’s second listed celebration of the year follows its Corpus Christi feast in June.
December
3 celebrations
Browse by location
Village guides
Several places celebrate more than once. Victoria has four dates in this diary; Għajnsielem, Għarb, Għasri, Kerċem, Qala and Xagħra each appear twice.
Fontana · 14 June — Sacred Heart of Jesus
Għajnsielem · 24 May — St Anthony · 30 August — Our Lady of Loreto
Għarb · 22 June — Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu · 5 July — The Visitation
Għasri · 7 June — Corpus Christi · 11 October — Our Lady of Patronage
Kerċem · 8 March — St Gregory · 12 July — Our Lady of Succour
Marsalforn · 25 February — Saint Paul
Munxar · 31 May — St Paul Shipwreck
Nadur · 29 June — St Peter and St Paul
Qala · 2 August — St Joseph · 8 December — Immaculate Conception
San Lawrenz · 9 August — St Lawrence
Ta’ Sannat · 26 July — St Margaret
Santa Luċija · 13 December — Santa Luċija
Victoria · 19 July — St George · 15 August — Santa Marija · 13 September — Our Lady of Graces · 8 December — Immaculate Conception
Xagħra · 8 September — Il-Bambina · 27 September — Nazzarenu
Xewkija · 21 June — St John the Baptist
Xlendi · 6 September — Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Żebbuġ · 23 August — Santa Marija
Signature traditions
Celebrations worth planning around
5 July · Għarb
The Infiorata flower carpet
Thousands of petals are arranged into detailed patterns before the Visitation procession passes through the decorated street.
15 August · Victoria
Santa Marija at the Cittadella
A major public holiday, cathedral feast and island-wide occasion, with horse racing and celebrations around the Aurora Theatre.
30 August · Għajnsielem
The annual cloth tradition
Villagers buy the year’s specially selected cloth and turn it into matching garments worn during the Loreto festivities.
6 September · Xlendi
The ġostra over the bay
Competitors attempt to cross a greased pole suspended above the water and claim the flag at its end.
Practical planning
How to enjoy a Gozo festa responsibly
Plan 01
Arrive before the evening crowds
Road closures and limited parking are normal. Arriving before sunset gives you time to walk into the village and understand the layout.
Plan 02
Check your return journey
Late buses can be limited. Review our Gozo bus guide and confirm the final service before staying for late fireworks.
Plan 03
Prepare for noise
Petards can sound from early morning and fireworks continue late. Ear protection is sensible for young children and noise-sensitive visitors.
Plan 04
Respect the religious occasion
The public spectacle surrounds a community act of devotion. Give processions space and dress appropriately when entering a church.
Plan 05
Book early for Santa Marija
Accommodation and crossings are particularly busy around 15 August. See our guide to getting to and from Gozo.
Plan 06
Verify on the day
Weather and local decisions can change outdoor events. Look for the parish or local organiser’s latest programme before setting out.