The heart of the action takes place in Valletta, Malta’s capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the European Capital of Culture 2018.
Carnival is one of the oldest historical festivals in both Malta and Gozo, with five centuries of credited and documented history dating back to the Knights’ of St John’s occupancy in Malta. This year Carnival Week in Malta takes place on February 21-25, 2020. This five–day celebration is undoubtedly one of the most colorful events in the Maltese and Gozitan calendars. Traditionally preceding Christian Lent, Carnival provides five days of revelry with Carnival-goers dressing up in colorful costumes and covering their faces with masks.
The heart of the action takes place in Valletta, Malta’s capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the European Capital of Culture 2018. The excitement starts with a procession of extravagantly colored floats and enhanced by the many children running around in fancy costumes. The celebrations continue in Malta's main nightlife center, Paceville, catching the late-night Carnival-goers who pile into the clubs and bars, still wearing their outrageous outfits.
However, visitors should not miss the colorful celebrations that take place in various towns and villages across the Islands, each having their own version of festivities. For a particular interpretation, Carnival goers can visit Nadur, Gozo, where Carnival takes on a more macabre and funny mood.
Carnival is closely associated with Maltese folklore. It has been celebrated in Malta since the arrival of the Knights of St. John in 1530, and some studies date the first Carnival revelry back as early as 1470. Up until 1751, Carnival was an activity exclusive to Valletta, but that is certainly not true today.
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