Malta in December means a mild winter with short days: 14.5 °C on average, a sea at 18.3 °C and sunset before 5pm. It is also the month of nativity cribs and of three public holidays, on 8, 13 and 25 December 2026. Each celebration has its own article: Christmas in Malta and New Year in Malta.
It is a good month for Valletta, Mdina, museums, walking and Gozo, with far fewer tourists than in summer. Not for the beach or for boat trips to the Blue Lagoon: the water is cool, and the Yippee and Hornblower boat trips we sell do not run in December. Everything below was checked as of 22 October 2026.
- Air: 14.5 °C on average; around 16.7 °C in the afternoon and 11.0 °C at night (1961-1990 average).
- Sea: 18.3 °C on average, for a short swim.
- Rain and sun: 84.8 mm and 4 days of thunderstorms on average; just over 5 hours of sunshine a day; sunset around 4.50pm.
- Public holidays: 8, 13 and 25 December 2026; Heritage Malta sites also close on the 24th and 31st.
- At sea: the Gozo and Valletta ferries run every day, and so do our Gozo day trips; private catamarans can be hired until 31 December.
- Packing: layers, a jacket for wind and rain, closed shoes.
Weather in Malta in December: the figures
Here are the averages of the Malta Met Office, measured at Luqa, near the airport (1991-2020). For the afternoon and the night, as no recent average was found, the table gives the 1961-1990 average, which is a little cooler.
| In December | Figure | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Average temperature | 14.5 °C | 1991-2020 average |
| Afternoon | 16.7 °C | 1961-1990 average |
| Night | 11.0 °C | 1961-1990 average |
| Sea | 18.3 °C | monthly average |
| Rain | 84.8 mm | 4 days of thunderstorms |
| Sunshine | about 166 hours | just over 5 hours a day |
| 1 December 2026 | sunrise 6.54am, sunset 4.48pm | 9 hours 54 minutes of daylight |
| 21 December 2026 | sunrise 7.08am, sunset 4.52pm | 9 hours 44 minutes of daylight |
Sources: Malta Met Office (averages from its monthly reports, quoted by MaltaToday and Newsbook from 2023 to 2026), NSO publication of 2011 for 1961-1990, US Naval Observatory for sunrise and sunset in Valletta. Read on 22 October 2026.
What is the weather like in Malta in December?
Mild, not hot. Some days get much warmer: 20.4 °C on 17 December 2025, and the record for the month, recalled by the Met Office in January 2024, is 24.3 °C, on 5 December 1963. Nights are cool: the lowest temperature of December 2025 was 9.2 °C, on 1 December (Met Office, quoted by Newsbook on 7 January 2026).
Wind, rain and thunderstorms
Along with March, December is the month with the most gale days, with gusts of over 34 knots (1961-1990 average). Low-pressure systems from North Africa can bring a strong east to south-east wind and rough seas (NSO, 2011).
Rainfall varies a lot from one year to the next: 43.6 mm in December 2024, 99.4 mm in December 2025, against 84.8 mm on average. December is no longer the wettest month: with the current averages, it is November.
Short days
On 21 December 2026, the sun rises at 7.08am and sets at 4.52pm: these are the shortest days of the year. Keep outdoor plans for the morning and museums for the afternoon. The other months are on our page Malta weather and temperatures.
Swimming in Malta in December
Yes, but the water is cool: 18.3 °C on average, and 20.5 °C in December 2024, a mild year (Met Office, quoted by Newsbook on 17 January 2025).
Our advice: a short swim, at the warmest time of day, on a day without wind, never alone, with something to cover up with when you get out. In strong wind, stay on the shore. The bays and coves are in our guide to Malta's beaches.
Who is December a good month for?
Yes, for sightseeing. It is mild enough for walking, the big museums in Valletta open every day, and there are few crowds: in December 2025, tourists added an average of 13,184 people a day to the population, against 90,332 in August 2025 (NSO figures, published by MaltaToday on 15 October 2026).
No, for the beach and boat trips. The water is cool, the days are short, and Hornblower's boat trips to Comino only start again on 1 February 2027, Yippee's trips to the Blue Lagoon in mid-April.
Otherwise, Malta in November is milder (17.9 °C) but wetter (89 mm); Malta in January is cooler (12.9 °C).
Things to do in Malta in December
Valletta: museums and winter opening hours
From 1 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, the Grand Master's Palace, Fort St Elmo and its War Museum, MUŻA, the Museum of Archaeology and Fort St Angelo, in Birgu, open every day from 9am to 5pm, except on 24, 25 and 31 December, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Up-to-date times are on the Heritage Malta opening hours page.
At the palace, on 2 December 2026, the State Rooms only open at 1.30pm. On a rainy day, Underground Valletta offers tours of tunnels and shelters under the city, on certain days only and by booking (no children under 6). St John's Co-Cathedral is closed to visitors on Sundays and public holidays, except for services (Visit Malta). At the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the Saluting Battery fires its cannon at 12 noon and 4pm; it is open Monday to Saturday.
From Sliema, the ferry runs all year: in winter, there is a departure every quarter of an hour from 6.45am to 7.30pm, and from 8.45am to 6.30pm on Sundays and public holidays (Valletta Ferry Services timetable). The rest is in our guide things to do in Valletta.
Mdina, Rabat and walking
Mdina, the old fortified capital, is lamp-lit at night (Visit Malta): in December, you can see it by night from 5pm. Buses 51, 52 and 53 go from Valletta to Rabat, at the foot of its walls, in 30 to 35 minutes on weekdays; as of 22 October 2026, a daytime ticket costs €2 (winter fare). See also things to do in Mdina.
For a walk, the Chadwick Lakes valley, between Rabat and Mtarfa, mostly has water after heavy rain, and the project's website says it is very popular in winter; its trail is more than 2 km long. Bus 201 links Rabat with the Dingli Cliffs in about 12 minutes. More ideas in the most beautiful hikes in Malta; set off early to be back before dark.
Shows and feasts with set dates in December 2026
6 to 8 December: “The Nutcracker”, Tchaikovsky's ballet in a contemporary version by the Moveo company, at the Teatru Manoel in Valletta, on the 6th and 7th at 7.30pm, and on the 8th at 11am and 3pm (show page on the Teatru Manoel website).
7 December at 6.30pm: a rock concert in the Green Room of Pjazza Teatru Rjal, in Valletta.
8 December: Cospicua, one of the Three Cities, celebrates its patron saint, the Immaculate Conception; the Three Cities ferry leaves from Valletta.
13 December: Mtarfa celebrates the feast of St Lucy. The dates of the feasts and of the concert come from the Visit Malta events calendar (Visit Malta events page).
Gozo as a day trip
The Gozo Channel ferry links Ċirkewwa (often written Cirkewwa) with Mġarr every day, in about 25 minutes; as of 22 October 2026, its published timetable stops at 8 November 2026, and the December one is not online yet. The crossing is covered in how to get to Gozo, the sights in things to do in Gozo; our day trips are further down.
Public holidays in December 2026
According to the 2026 list published by MaltaToday on 1 January 2026:
- Tuesday 8 December 2026: the Immaculate Conception.
- Sunday 13 December 2026: Republic Day, which marks the day Malta stopped having a foreign head of state (Visit Malta).
- Friday 25 December 2026: Christmas Day. Neither 24 nor 26 December is a public holiday.
What changes: Heritage Malta closes its sites on 24, 25 and 31 December and on 1 January; 8 and 13 December are not on its list of closures. The Valletta ferries follow the Sunday timetable (Sliema from 8.45am to 6.30pm, Three Cities from 9am to 6.15pm). For 25 December 2025, Malta Public Transport had announced that buses would be suspended from 12 noon to 3pm, then stop from 9pm: check the 2026 notice before planning your journeys.
The festive season
Visit Malta lists two nativity crib exhibitions, both until 3 January 2027: the Traditional Christmas Crafts Exhibition from 12 December 2026, and Qala Enchanted by Cribs, in Qala (Gozo), from the 13th. For Christmas markets, Masses and the programme for 24 and 25 December, see Christmas in Malta.
On 31 December 2025, the big New Year's Eve celebration was held in Valletta, and Malta Public Transport had laid on extra buses late into the night. As of 22 October 2026, neither Festivals Malta nor Visit Malta has announced the 2026 programme: see New Year in Malta.
Comino, Gozo and the sea in December
What runs: the Gozo Channel ferry every day, the Valletta ferries on the winter timetable, and Comino Ferries, which says it crosses every day from Marfa and Ċirkewwa. Its online timetable has no dates: check it the day before on the Comino Ferries timetable.
What does not run: Yippee's Blue Lagoon boat trips, from mid-April to mid-October, and Hornblower's, with no departures from Buġibba in December or January, and back on 1 February 2027. So for Comino, look at the ferry, and read our Blue Lagoon guide for the lagoon access pass. In a gale, a trip can be cancelled on the day.
What to pack
- a jumper for the evening (11.0 °C at night, 1961-1990 average);
- a jacket for wind and rain;
- closed shoes with a good grip on wet stone;
- sunglasses, and a swimsuit if you want to try the sea;
- an adapter: see our article on plug sockets in Malta.
On a boat, take an extra layer: Hornblower warns that it gets cold on board from October to May.
Our trips in December
Gozo day trips with Yippee: the guided quad tour of Gozo, the guided buggy tour of Gozo, the 4x4 jeep safari with a driver and the Gozo tuk-tuk tour with a driver run every day, all year round. Pick-up depends on where you are staying; the details are given when you book. In rough seas, the crossing is made by ferry, tickets included; in winter, the return to Marfa is at around 5pm, with no swim stop at Comino.
With lunch, with Gozo Pride Tours: the Gozo quad tour with lunch and the Gozo buggy tour with a 3-course lunch are offered all year round, according to our listings; in bad weather, the trip is postponed or cancelled free of charge. Everything is on the Gozo tours and day trips page; you can also go on your own, by bus and ferry.
Private catamaran or sailing boat with a skipper: departing from Ta' Xbiex or Sliema, until 31 December 2026; from force 5 upwards, the trip is postponed or fully refunded. See the catamaran charter in Malta page.
Not running in December: the sunset tours (Yippee, Gozo Pride Tours), the Hornblower cruises, Yippee's Blue Lagoon boat trips, the Spirit of Malta and the summer boat parties.
FAQ: Malta in December
Is Malta hot in December?
Mild rather than hot: 14.5 °C on average. Fine days get warmer, like 17 December 2025, with 20.4 °C.
Can you swim in Malta in December?
Yes, if cool water doesn't put you off: 18.3 °C on average. Pick a calm day and never swim alone.
What can you do in Malta in December when it rains?
The Heritage Malta museums in Valletta, open every day from 9am to 5pm except on 24, 25 and 31 December, Underground Valletta by booking, or a show at the Teatru Manoel.
Can you go to Comino in December?
Yes, with Comino Ferries, from Marfa or Ċirkewwa; check the timetable the day before. The Yippee and Hornblower Blue Lagoon boat trips do not run.
What should I pack for Malta in December?
A jumper for the evening, a jacket for wind and rain, closed shoes, and a swimsuit if you want to try the sea.
What are the public holidays in Malta in December 2026?
Tuesday the 8th (Immaculate Conception), Sunday the 13th (Republic Day) and Friday 25 December (Christmas Day).
Is Malta less crowded in December?
Yes: in December 2025, there were nearly seven times fewer tourists present each day than in August 2025, according to the NSO.
What time does it get dark in Malta in December?
The sun sets between 4.48pm and 4.58pm, and rises between 6.54am and 7.12am.