December
"...an artisan Christmas fair is setup at the Villa Rundle..."
How is the weather for December in Gozo?
The weather in Gozo during December is slightly cold, but it may even be slightly warm in sunshine. No heavy winter clothes are usually needed, but a jacket may be useful if the weather decides to play.
What feast is celebrated in Gozo for December?
The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on the 8th of December. The island of Gozo is mostly Christian Catholic in terms of religion. So, the 8th December was also declared a public holiday. This particular celebration is practise in many villages around Gozo. A special mass is celebrated, followed by a procession with the statue. Street decoration, fireworks, and sweet vendors depends on the organisation of the village.
The days following the Immaculate Conception feast are left without further events. This is because the streets will start to be decorated for the Christmas period. Many streets around Gozo will be decorated with themed lights, and villages’ squares will be playing Christmas carols during the day. In Nadur, a Christmas village is erected in the main square. Children activities are organized in the village and a person imitating father Christmas will be amusing the kids and posing for photos.
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How to spend Christmas in Gozo?
In Gozo Christmas is a big event that attracts visitors from the island of Malta and beyond. Street decorations start early and are lite up every evening for the whole Christmas period. In the days before Christmas, the main street of Rabat will be busy with commuters roaming from shop to shop in search for that perfect gift for their loved ones and family members. Most households fix ornament with their façade. A variety of ornament are used, and everyone decors for the own taste and budget. Year after year, the houses in the village of Nadur are always the most heavily decorated and colourful. Pictures of houses facades even end up in the local news due to their abundance of decoration.
An artisan Christmas fair is setup at the Villa Rundle. The Villa Rundle is a large garden open to the public during the day. The garden was started by the British General Rundle in 1915. It helps keep a green patch of nature in the Gozo centre town Rabat. Thanks to its central location, it is ideal for organising events. The Christmas fair attract many visitors. Some pass by for a visit out of curiosity, while others buy decorations, or traditional sweets like the local honey ring. The trees in the garden are decorated with coloured light, which produce a romantic atmosphere after sunset.
What to do at Christmas eve in Gozo?
The local custom for Christmas eve on the island of Gozo, is to meet up with close friends and family members for dinner. All the reputable restaurants will be full, so it is recommended to reserve a table beforehand so as not to be disappointed. Following dinners, the locals head to the nearest church for the midnight mass, which sometimes include extra celebrations. A street party will be taking place in Pjazza t-Tokk, the main square of Rabat. Numerous youngsters attend the evet. Christmas day is family time. Everybody heads to their parents or grandparents for lunch. Turkey is by tradition the main dish, but people like to add their own personal taste.
Celebrations will continue the eve of the new year. The festival is a less formal one than Christmas. Many will flock to the town of Rabat where there will be musical events. Professional singers and bands will cheer the crowd. The event will keep on going through most of the night.
