Carnival in Malta & Gozo

Malta’s carnivals are loud, brash and colourful with an emphasis on fun.

The official carnival in Valletta is a highly-organised affair, perfect for families with small children. Never will you see more Zorros, Indian chiefs, robots and little senoritas all packed in one place!

But if you’re looking for something a little more adult, out of the ordinary and less sterile – then you need to cross the Gozo Channel to the sister island and beat a path to Nadur. It’s here that you’ll find the big, boisterous beast of a carnival that allows you to really let your hair down, largely because everyone is masked, or heavily made up, making it utterly anonymous.

Nadur’s carnival remains the most unusual all the Maltese events. Hundreds of Maltese and Gozitan couples and tourists merge together to roam the streets, dance to band music, make merry, eat and drink.

Nadur Carnival takes place every year. It is a five-night event that finishes on Shrove Tuesday – or Mardi Gras as the French like to call it. If you count back on your finger then you’ll figure out that it starts on the preceding Friday night!