Check out the best events and unmissable things to do in Valletta this December.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valletta’s impressive squares and quaint streets adorned with lavish Baroque palaces, Maltese balconies, niches with statues of saints and antique shop signs offer enough amusement with just a stroll through the city. But there is much more to capture your interest!
1. Time travel through history
You can’t visit the historic 16th century city and miss out on St John's Co-Cathedral with its gilded gold walls, mosaic tomb floors and Caravaggio painting of the Beheading of St John; the Grand Master’s Palace, today the Maltese President’s office; Auberge de Castille, now the office of the Prime Minister, and the nearby Upper Barrakka Gardens for a compulsory photo of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. Also worth a visit are the National Museum of Archaeology at the Auberge de Provence; the Muza museum of art at the Auberge d'Italie; and Casa Rocca Piccola, a historic noble residence that's open as a museum.
2. Get in the Christmas spirit
The Maltese make a big ado about Christmas, and it’s not necessarily a religious affair. Valletta is a prime location for shopping in Malta and, apart from several well known brands, includes the Embassy Shopping Complex. Pantos are well-loved and you can see the Sleeping Beauty panto of your dreams between 23-30 December at the historic Manoel Theatre, which has been in operation since 1731. Valletta also has a life-sized nativity scene on display.
3. Make your heart dance
December 2018 in Valletta appears the be the month of dance, with several amazing performances and events to look forward to. Starting with The Secret on 8-9 December; the Malta Dance Showcase II on 21-22 December; and the Best of Vertical Dance performance on 21-23 December; and finishing with the Gouangzhou Ballet on 30 December, dance lovers are in for a treat this month!
4. Find your sound of music
Music lovers also have plenty to keep them entertained. A quick look at the Manoel Theatre’s show schedule reveals a wide variety of music performances in store. We are particularly keen on the APS Teatru Unplugged 21 on 7-8-9 December. At the MCC, we look forward to Like … the Beatles on 8-9 December and The Magical Christmas Concert by the Malta National Children's Choir on 15-16 December.
5. Don't miss these two grand events
The year 2018 is coming to a close and with it ends the moment of glory for our fabulous capital as the European Capital of Culture 2018. The Valletta 2018 closing ceremony on 15 December is due to be a spectacle extraordinaire with a line-up of live shows, music and a few surprise touches. Two weeks later, on 31 December, bid farewell to 2018 and welcome the new year 2019 at St George’s Square Valletta, a nationwide event organised by the Valletta 2018 Foundation in collaboration with G7 events, the Valletta Local Council, the Ministry for Tourism and the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government.
That's quite a handful, isn't it? Enjoy December 2018 in the extraordinary city of Valletta!