Feast of the Assumption

As the majority of Malta’s population is Catholic, they observe the Feast of the Assumption of Mary every August 15th as a public holiday. In 2026, Feast of the Assumption falls on Saturday 15 August. The holiday will be on Sunday 15 August in 2027. The Feast of the Assumption is a religious festival observed primarily by Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox believers, which is meant to commemorate the mysterious “assumption” of the Virgin Mary’s body and soul to heaven. In Malta, the feast is held in seven different municipalities throughout the main island of Malta and the lesser isle of Gozo. The feast has loomed large in the course of Maltese history and is celebrated with great devotion and fanfare, sometimes for the full week leading up to August 15th. As an example of how the celebrations proceed, we can take the ceremonies held in Mqabba, where Santa Maria (Holy Mary) has been honoured in this manner for over four centuries. In Mqabba, celebratory events run from July 30th till August 22nd, though the most important parts of the festival occur between the 9th and 15th. Bands march through the streets every day during this period, ending in the village square, where further activities await. On the August 10th, the King George V Band holds a concert with musical performances from different genres and eras. At the end of each night’s events, there will be fireworks displays, which is actually “standard” for nearly every holiday in Malta. On the 14th day of August, a grand fireworks event that is done “in sync with” accompanying music is a major attraction. Finally, on the 15th, a special Marian mass is held, wherein the life story and virtuousness of Mary “Mother of God” is presented and praised profusely. Come evening time, Mary’s statue is carried out of the church and through the streets, while the people pray and sing to her all along the way. When the statue makes a circuit all the way back to the church building, the procession ends. Things to do if in Malta during the Feast of the Assumption include: Those touring Malta during the Feast of the Assumption will find both official celebrations and the whole island before them to explore.