Cirque du Soleil, Illuminated Trail and more to do this holiday season in Malta
A woman walks along the Valletta promenade.
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When the chilly winter winds shake the leaves from the trees, and the temperatures start to plummet, Malta offers a perfect winter getaway that rewards you with almost guaranteed sunshine and an average temperature around 14-16 degrees celsius. Sitting pretty in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Europe's southwest coast, the island country is one of Europe's most popular destinations for holidaymakers throughout the year.
Here is a look at the highly anticipated events, as well as all the other things you can do with your family in Malta this holiday season.
The Magical Illuminated Trail - Walk Thru Edition
What a better way to start your winter visit to Malta by experiencing the holiday season through a spectacular walkabout journey. Riding high on last year's success of the Drive-Thru version of Magical Illimunated Trail, the event is being held at the Magical Verdala Palace in Buskett. In this new walk-thru form, you'll get a chance to visit breathtaking displays of the glowing Midnight Express Train, Artic World and Huge Winged Dragon. To find out more, check out the event's page at VisitMalta.com.
FIERI by Cirque du Soleil
If you have children over the age of five, FIERI by Cirque do Soleil is an excellent show for the whole family. With bright lights, beautiful colors, and breathtaking acrobatics, Canada's Cirque du Soleil celebrates the history of Malta in a spectacle created specifically for the location.
There will be 28 performances, each lasting 75 minutes and each taking place in the stunning Mediterranean Conference Center, a 16th-century landmark in Valletta. The show runs from November 25 to December 19. Tickets and more information can be found here.
Gastronomic Delight
One of the best ways to bring a family together is to gather around a table for a meal. With unforgettable seafood dishes and delectable fruits and vegetables grown on the island, Malta is a foodie's dream. Five of its restaurants have been awarded a Michelin Star, three have been awarded a Bib Gourmand award, and 23 others have been given a Michelin Plate award, making this an excellent place for fine dining. To find out more about Malta's food and delicacies you can't get anywhere else, check out VisitMalta's Gastronomy page.
The Knights of Malta
Whether you are raising a future history buff or just want your children to know more about the history of the island, The Knights of Malta exhibit makes for a great day trip. With Casa Magazzini as its backdrop, built by the Knights of Malta in the 1500s as a place to keep their ammunition, this stunning series of 34 tableaux tells the story of the Knights and what they mean to Malta. Accompanied by lighting effects and an immersive 3D audio-visual show, your family will not just learn about Malta's past, they will feel as if they are experiencing it themselves. The Knights of Malta exhibit is open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets and more information are available here.
Malta's Rich and Colorful Traditions
Malta has a culture like no other, and there are plenty of ways for you and your family to experience it. Children will love the fireworks displays, village parties, and great food, and you will all enjoy visits to places like theTa' Dbiegi and Ta' Qali Crafts Villages, where you can watch true artisans work on their crafts and go home with a few souvenirs.
There is also the MUŻA gallery to visit, where you can take in 20,000 works of art spanning from the 16th century to modern times, and the city of Mdina, whose natural history museum can keep kids entertained and learning all day long. Go to VisitMalta's Culture page to find even more places to add to your itinerary.
COVID Situation and Guidelines
With over 80 percent of its population fully vaccinated and fewer than 25 new cases reported each day, Malta is one of the safest destinations in the EU to visit with your family. To keep things safe, all visitors over 12 years old are required to present a completed Passenger Locator Form (PLF), Public Health Travel Declaration, and a valid vaccination certificate. That certificate must be recognized by the Superintendent of Public Health and must show a complete course of vaccination, consisting of two doses (or one for one-dose vaccines), with 14 days having passed since the last dose. EMA-approved vaccines include Comirnaty (Pfizer), Jannsen (Johnson & Johnson), Spikevax (Moderna), and Vxzevria (AstraZeneca), and all must be from batches authorized by the national regulatory authority of the country in which it was administered.
For the latest information, please visit https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/health-promotion/covid-19/Pages/travel.aspx.
