Good to know
Good to Know
- St. Patrick's Day street party is held in Spinola Bay, St. Julian's in March, drawing a larger international crowd.
- The Feast of St. Julian is one of the most authentically Maltese events on the island with centuries of tradition, particularly the Il-Ġostra game which has been integral since the 1800s.
- The Il-Ġostra competition is genuinely challenging and entertaining to watch; spectators gather along Spinola Bay to witness the attempts.
- Accommodation prices in St. Julian's and nearby Sliema typically increase 30-60% during major festival weekends; book early if planning to be in the area during the feast week.
- The feast celebrations extend beyond the main feast day with events throughout the entire week; check local parish and band club websites for detailed daily schedules.
- Hotels, restaurants, and clubs throughout St. Julian's hold special feast-related parties and events during the celebration week.
Events
Feast of St. Julian (Il-Festa)
- Date
- Last weekend of August
- Duration
- Week-long celebration
- Admission
- Free
- Description
- The main annual cultural and religious celebration dedicated to St. Julian, the patron saint of St. Julian's. The feast spans a full week with processions, fireworks, brass bands, and community festivities.
Traditions
Il-Ġostra (Greased Pole Game)
- Description
- A traditional Maltese game where participants attempt to climb a 10-16 metre wooden pole covered in grease and pig fat suspended over the sea to retrieve one of three flags (blue and white for the Madonna, yellow and white for the Vatican, and Belgian flag for St. Julian). Participation is restricted to St. Julian's residents, particularly those who volunteered for feast preparations.
Musketterija
- Description
- Hunters fire blank cartridges loaded with black powder from the roof of the parish church as the statue of St. Julian is carried out of the church. This tradition began in 1982 and reflects the area's historical connection to the hunting grounds of the Knights of Malta.
Fireworks Display Over Spinola Bay
- Description
- A spectacular fireworks display typically held on Saturday evening, illuminating the bay.
Street Decorations & Processions
- Description
- The village is richly decorated with flags, banners, festoons, and colorful outdoor lights. Multiple brass band clubs (Associazione Gruppo Tamburi Citta di Giarratana, Inguardia Group, Menhir Qala Folk Group) guide processions from the town center down to Spinola Bay, accompanied by parades, food stands, local folklore dancing, and live music.
Lapsi Feast (Our Lady of Victories/Festa tal-Lapsi)
- Date
- Early May
- Duration
- Multi-day celebration
- Admission
- Free
- Description
- A smaller village feast organized by the Lapsi Church in St. Julian's. Features a live re-enactment of the Grand Master arriving to the village, parades, food stands, local folklore dancing, and music.
Traditions
Grand Master Re-enactment
- Description
- A historical dramatization of the Grand Master's arrival to the village
Local Food & Music
- Description
- Food stands and traditional music performances throughout the event
AI-generated estimateData refreshed September 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this signature annual events research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About St. Julian's
Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.