The Feast of St John of the Cross in Sliema

The Feast of St John of the Cross on Sunday 15 November celebrates this Spanish mystic with Sliema's characteristic blend of piety and festive spirit. The day unfolds with a religious procession carrying the saint's statue through decorated streets, accompanied by the polished brass-band ensembles that are treasured anchors of Maltese parish culture. Locals gather for street-level celebrations: stalls offering sweets, traditional pastries, and seasonal fare.

As dusk arrives, the festa culminates in fireworks—both ground-level petards and sky-lighting displays that paint the November evening. The celebration reflects the deep roots of Catholic tradition in Malta's villages, where saints' feasts remain living communal events rather than historical footnotes.