Gozo Festivals and Events

Experience the vibrant culture of Gozo with festivals and traditional events year-round.
Join locals and visitors alike in celebrating the island's rich heritage and community spirit.

Gozo festivals and events

Welcome to Gozo, where every day is a celebration of culture, tradition, and community spirit.

Throughout the year, this enchanting island comes alive with a vibrant array of festivals and events that captivate both locals and visitors alike. 

From the coloruful village festas honoring patron saints to lively music festivals and art exhibitions showcasing Gozo's creative talent, there's always something exciting happening on our shores.

Whether you're here to immerse yourself in centuries-old traditions, indulge in delicious local cuisine at a food festival, or dance the night away under the stars, Gozo offers a rich tapestry of experiences that will leave you enchanted and eager to return.

Join us as we explore the diverse and dynamic events that make Gozo a truly unforgettable destination.

Carnival Week in Gozo | Spring

Carnival Week traditionally precedes Christian Lent. It’s one of the Maltese Islands’ most colourful times of the year, combining history with Maltese folklore in a celebration said to date back to the Knights of St John (around the 1530s) and possibly earlier.

The event is celebrated across Malta and Gozo, but you’ll find Carnival Week on Gozo rather different to the celebrations on the Maltese mainland.

Gozo celebrates Carnival Week in its own unique style, the main activities occurring in Victoria’s main square, It-Tokk (Independence Square) with more festivities in Nadur.

Carnival in Victoria

Victoria celebrates in much the same style as in Malta’s Valletta – typically through costumes, floats, music and dancing. 

Carnival in Nadar

Nadur puts a different spin on Carnival Week. Known as the ‘Silent Carnival’ Nadur’s celebrations are spontaneous (there’s no one organising anything), with revellers aiming to avoid recognition by donning masks, hoods and grotesque, bizarre or comical outfits, and staying quiet to conceal their identity still further.

Many people carry placards filled with veiled and not-so-veiled comments (and insults), usually aimed at well-known personalities.

Carnival dates in Gozo

Because Easter moves, so does Lent, and so does Carnival Week, but if you’re visiting Gozo in February be sure to check dates.

Xaghra Feast Gozo | Throughout the year
Local councils and organisations across Gozo plan events like this throughout the year.

Look out for Seher il-Punent in Gharb; Fiori d’Argenta in Xewkija; the Qala International Folk Festival; the Fig Festival in Xaghra and the Lunzjata Valley’s Festubru.

Easter events in Gozo | Late Spring

Gozo’s magnificent churches tell you immediately that this is an island that wears its Christianity proudly on its sleeve. Easter, therefore, is a major milestone in the Gozitan year.

Good Friday sees highly emotional congregations gather in churches adorned with ornaments, flowers and cloth.

On Easter Saturday, churches hold solemn religious services by the light of hundreds of tiny flickering flames.

On Easter Sunday, Gozo’s churches celebrate Easter Mass.

Afterwards, some parishes hold a traditional celebratory and joyful march, carrying a statue of Christ and usually accompanied by local bands.

Gozo Ultra Trail 55km run or mountain bike | May

This extreme Gozo Ultra Trail 55km run or mountain bike is a challenging but popular way to make the most of Gozo’s scenic spring greenery, rocky outcrops, steep cliff edges and beautiful beaches.

A series of pit-stops offer participants a chance to recharge before finishing what is one of the Mediterranean’s most photogenic trail races.

It’s tough but rewarding, and entrants of any ability are encouraged.

They’re generous with completion times too so if you fancy adding an extreme physical challenge to your list of things to do on Gozo, don’t feel as though you’ll need to be able to complete it in world record time to be able to enter.

Gozo Summer events | May-September

A key Gozo attraction for many visitors, and an eagerly anticipated event for locals, is the village festa. 

These lively celebrations are a highlight of the island's cultural calendar. Each town and village across Gozo holds its own annual feast, lasting three or more days, dedicated to its particular patron saint. 

With vibrant processions, traditional music and delicious food stalls, the festa offers a true taste of Gozitan hospitality and community spirit.

The Agriculture and Industrial Show in Gozo | August

Known locally as Il-Wirja ta’ Santa Marija, The Agriculture and Industrial Show has been a regular fixture on the Gozo events calendar since 1855. 

Over 10,000 people visit the 4000 exhibits, and enjoy the competitions for 13 categories including livestock and animals (including horses, goats, cows, sheep and dogs), food products and artisan crafts.

The International Kite and Wind Festival | October

The International Kite and Wind Festival in Gozo is a vibrant celebration of creativity, freedom, and the beauty of the natural elements. 

Held annually, this event attracts kite enthusiasts and spectators from around the world to the picturesque shores of Gozo. 

From intricately designed kites to high-flying acrobatics and kite-making workshops, the festival offers something for everyone to enjoy. It's a joyful occasion where families, friends, and communities come together to revel in the simple pleasure of watching kites dance across the horizon. 

Whether you're a seasoned kite enthusiast or simply looking for a fun day out by the sea, the International Kite and Wind Festival promises an unforgettable experience filled with laughter, and excitement.

Festival Mediterranea in Gozo - November

Taking place in the warm month of November, this festival serves as a superb showcase for Gozo’s artistic and cultural heritage. 

Organised annually by Victoria’s Astra Theatre, you can expect traditional music, brass bands, opera and symphonic music together with folklore and the involvement of churches, natural heritage, museums and more.

Gozo Christmas events | December

Christmas in Gozo is a magical time filled with tradition, celebration, and festive cheer. 

The island comes alive with a calendar of events and activities that bring together locals and visitors to enjoy the holiday spirit. 

From beautifully adorned churches and nativity displays to bustling Christmas markets and joyful carol singing, there's something for everyone to enjoy. 

Streets and gardens are decorated with twinkling lights and decorations, creating a picturesque festive scene. 

Many villages also host Christmas markets, live and theatrical performances, concerts, and fireworks displays, adding to the festive atmosphere. 

The warmth and hospitality of the Gozitan people make Christmas in Gozo a truly unforgettable experience, filled with joy, laughter, and goodwill.

Operas in Gozo | Dates vary

Gozitans love their arts, culture and music. As a result, the island’s two opera houses, the Astra Theatre and the Aurora Opera House, are both popular Gozo attractions.

Based in Victoria (Ir-Rabat), both venues perform at least one fully-staged opera annually, often supported by international soloists.

"The event showcases the best of Gozo’s artisan crafts"