The following is the list of national and public holidays in Malta:
1 January - New Year's Day
10 February - Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck
This feast commemorates the shipwreck of St.Paul in Malta in 60 A.D., an event registered in the Acts of the Apostles.19 March - Feast of St Joseph
This feast is celebrated in Rabat.31 March - Freedom Day
A commemorative ceremony is held at the War Memorial at Floriana. During the afternoon, traditional regatta boat races are held in Grand Harbour.22 April 2011 - Good Friday
Good Friday pageants are held at about 17.00 hrs in 14 different towns and villages. During these pageants, a number of life-size statues depicting scenes from the passion and death of Jesus Christ are carried shoulder high in procession along the main streets of the particular locality. Men and women personifying Biblical characters from the Old and New Testament, dressed in period costumes, take part in the processions.24 April 2011 - Easter Sunday
Note that Easter Monday is not a Public Holiday in Malta.1 May - Worker's Day
As in many other countries, but the feast of St. Joseph the Worker is also celebrated.7 June - Sette Giugno
A commemorative ceremony is held at Palace Square, Valletta, in remembrance of the incidents of the 7th June 1919.29 June - Feast of St Peter and St Paul
Known in Maltese as 'Mnarja'. This is a traditional folkloristic event. The festivities open on the eve of Mnarja with open-air folk-singing and a musical programme at Buskett Gardens which continues up till the early hours of the 29th day of June. Maltese dishes are served for the occasion with fried rabbit being a tradional speciality of the evening. On the 29th, activities at Buskett continue with band marches and an agrarian exhibition. During the afternoon, traditional horse races are held at Saqqajja Hill, Rabat. The word Mnarja is derived from Luminarja (illumination), when Mdina, Malta’s medieval capital, was illuminated by bonfires for the occasion.15 August - 'Santa Maria' Feast of the Assumption
Festivities are celebrated at Mqabba, Qrendi, Gudja, Ghaxaq, Attard, Mosta and Victoria in Gozo.8 September - Victory Day
A commemorative ceremony in Valletta, to celebrate the lifting of the 1565 siege against the Turks, the capitulation of the French in 1800, and the siege of the Axis powers in 1943. the traditional colourful and keenly contested boat race or regatta, is held at the Grand Harbour in the afternoon. Festivities are also held at Senglea, Naxxar and Mellieha in Malta and at Xaghra in Gozo.21 September - Independence Day
Malta became independent on this day in 1964. A full programme of activities takes place in various localities.8 December - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
13 December - Republic Day
Malta became a Republic in 1974 by resolution of the House of Representatives.25 December - Christmas Day
Yuletide in Malta is primarily the season for family parties. Young boys and members of a lay Catholic organisation participate in the evening processions of December 24, with the statue of Baby Jesus held in all towns and villages. The highlight is the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, during which a child relates the story of the nativity.26 December is not a Public Holiday in Malta.
31 December - New Year's Eve
Although not officially a public holiday, most museums will be closed today.Banks and shops do not open on public and national holidays. Some shops, especially in tourist areas, will open as usual. Heritage Malta Museums will open on Sundays and holidays, except on Good Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day , New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.