Lejlet il-Festa

The Festa Marija Bambina 2026 celebrations continue with Lejlet il-Festa promising an evening filled with faith, tradition, music and spectacular entertainment in Xagħra. The programme begins at 6:00pm with the solemn Pontifical translation from the Oratory of the Passion, led by H.E. Mgr Anton Teuma, Bishop of Gozo, accompanied by the Reverend Collegiate Chapter, clergy, altar servers, parish confraternities, the community and Banda Victory of Xagħra. At 6:30pm, the First Vespers of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated, including the Salve Regina and Eucharistic Benediction, followed by another service at 8:00pm. The outdoor festivities begin at 8:30pm with “The Night of Victory,” a spectacular fireworks and pyrotechnic display from the Nuffara area, organised by Għaqda tan-Nar 1973 tax-Xagħra. At 9:00pm, Banda Mnarja of Nadur will march from near the band club towards Pjazza l-Vitorja, where it will present a musical programme, while at 9:30pm, Banda Victory of Xagħra and Banda La Stella will join the celebrations for the traditional triumphal march from Vjal it-8 ta’ Settembru to Pjazza l-Vitorja. The night reaches its grand finale at midnight with another edition of the impressive 3D Mapping projection on the façade of the church, accompanied by a show featuring 150 drones, presented by Għaqda Żgħażagħ Brijużi Xagħrin under the title “In Tenebris Fulget – It Shines Through the Darkness.” The celebrations will then conclude with a musical pyrotechnic spectacle by PuroArt Malta, bringing Lejlet il-Festa to a memorable and colourful close.