Traditionally, Carnival festivities are mainly held in the week preceding Ash Wednesday, which in 2023 falls on February 22nd. During Carnival, everyone is allowed to wear a mask, a costume, be merry, silly and outrageous before the somber season of Lent.
After that most Carnival celebrations have been canceled in the past years due to the covid situation, 2023 will see the return of all the pre-Lenten season celebrations in full. Carnival will be celebrated between the 17th and the 21st February.
In many Catholic countries, people have decorated their homes, or put outside the traditional floats for all to see. Also in Malta, Carnival is celebrated with street installations and exhibitions that honor the centuries-old tradition.
In Gozo, the most famous and the best Carnival is celebrated in Nadur. It typically attracts thousands of visitors from both Malta and abroad. It consists of both the official organized carnival with colorful floats, costumed parades, parties, revelry and dancing – and the spontaneous people’s carnival, where the villagers take to the streets in grotesque and sarcastic costumes.
While having become less of a spontaneous culturally unique event and more of a street party over the years, Nadur carnival is still a very peculiar side of Gozitan carnival celebrations.
Carnival events held in 2023:
Organised Nadur Carnival (St Peter and St. Paul’s Square) – Sunday, 12th of February from 12:30pm
Spontaneous Nadur Carnival (Nadur Centre) – 17th – 21st February, daily – after sunset
Victoria Carnival Parade (Starts at the beginning of Republic Street and continues all the way to the Independence Square (It-Tokk)) – 17th, 18th, 20th, 21st February at 18:00hrs & 19th February at 15:00hrs
Xaghra Carnival (Nazzarenu Square) – 18th February at 19:30hrs (performance of local dance companies), 19th February at 10:45am (Carnival Band Marches) and at 12:00hrs (performances of local dance companies)
For pre-booking of minivan/taxi transportation to any Carnival event in Gozo contact on 21556678 or email on info@mayjocarhire.com