Christmas Cheer at Fort St Elmo and The National War Museum

Between the 30^th of November and the 1^st of December, Heritage Malta is inviting the public to experience the magic of the festive season at Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum in Valletta, in the second edition of ‘Christmas at the Fort’.

The fort will open from 9:00 am to 11:30 pm on Saturday, and from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm on Sunday.  Enchanting Christmas decorations, flickering lights and luscious green garlands will transform the historic site into a bubble of coziness and cheer that captures the essence of a Maltese Christmas, featuring a traditional Maltese Christmas crib.

Delicious food and drink from an array of stalls, including traditional festive treats, mulled wine, imbuljuta (a typical Maltese spiced chocolate and chestnut drink), and specialty cocktails will keep visitors happy and warm as they explore. A live chocolate sculpture presentation will delight audiences on both days.

Those in search of unique gifts to place under the Christmas tree or to fill stockings will be spoilt for choice at the artisan market, where talented local artists will be showcasing their handmade creations. The youngest among us can join games and interactive sessions, meet and take photos with Santa himself, and send him their letters, with a chance to win special prizes!

A procession with Baby Jesus on Saturday evening and a special mass on Sunday morning will bring together foreign visitors and locals alike in the season’s solemn essence. Throughout the weekend, performances by various singers, choirs, and bands, including a show-stopping grand Christmas concert by the Malta Police Force Band on Sunday evening, and various workshops and lectures exploring different aspects of the festive season will keep everyone entertained. The full activities programme is listed below. Tickets for events requiring pre-booking may be purchased here: www.heritagemalta.mt/store or by visiting any Heritage Malta museum or site.

This event is being held under the patronage of Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, in support of the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation. Admission is free, but donations to aid this important charitable cause are encouraged. Pets are welcome but need to be kept on a leash at all times. A shuttle service from Floriana Park and Ride to Fort St Elmo will be available.

Full activities programme:

Saturday 30^th November 2024 (09:00-23:30)

• Welcome by Santa – 09:00-09:15
• Crib-making demonstration – 09:00-16:00
• Tradizzjonijiet tal-Milied – Taħdita interattiva bil-Malti ma’ Trevor Zahra – 10:00-11:00 (requires pre-booking)
• Traditional Christmas Food & Sweets – An interactive lecture in English by Noel Buttigieg – 11:30-12:15 (requires pre-booking)
• Christmas Wartime Chronicles – National War Museum Archives Tour in English – 12:30-13:30 (requires pre-booking)
• Traditional Christmas Food & Sweets – An interactive lecture in English by Noel Buttigieg – 16:30-17:15 (requires pre-booking)
• A procession with Baby Jesus, accompanied by a musical selection by the King’s Own Philharmonic Society – 19:15-19:45

Sunday 1^st December 2024 (09:00-20:00)

• Crib-making demonstration – 09:00-13:00
• Holy mass including Christmas sermon – 09:00-09:45
• Tradizzjonijiet tal-Milied – Taħdita Interattiva bil-Malti ma’ Trevor Zahra – 10:00-11:00 (requires pre-booking)
• Fonzu l-Fenek – Children’s Activity – 12:30-13:00
• Christmas Wartime Chronicles – National War Museum Archives Tour in English – 13:45-14:45 (requires pre-booking)
• Pasturi Tradizzjonali – Workshop Interattiv bil-Malti – 16:00-17:00 (requires pre-booking)
• Concert by the Malta Police Force Band – 18:30-20:00