Malta month by month · December
Malta in December: Weather, Things to Do & Nightlife
Updated: November 2026
Malta in December is mild, quiet and very different from the island of July. Expect daytime highs of around 17 °C, a real chance of rain and far fewer visitors at the sights. The beach clubs are closed, nightlife moves indoors to Paceville, and the month ends with its biggest night: New Year’s Eve.
Average high
About 17 °C
Average low
About 11 °C
Days with rain
About 14
Party scene
Indoor clubs + New Year’s Eve
Public holidays
8, 13 and 25 December
Best for
Sightseeing, food, a quiet island
Weather in Malta in December
December is the wettest month of the year in Malta’s official averages: about 14 days with some rain and 112 mm over the month. It is not cold by northern European standards, with an average high of 16.7 °C and an average low of 11.0 °C, but evenings by the sea feel cooler than the numbers suggest.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Days with rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 20.1 °C | 13.9 °C | 80.0 mm | 10.6 |
| December | 16.7 °C | 11.0 °C | 112.3 mm | 14.2 |
| January | 15.2 °C | 9.2 °C | 89.0 mm | 13.7 |
Official averages from the Malta Meteorological Office, worked out from 30 years of records (1961–1990). They are a guide to what the month is usually like, not a forecast for this year.
Pack layers, a light waterproof jacket and closed shoes. The days are the shortest of the year, so plan outdoor visits for the morning and keep museums and long lunches for the afternoon.
Things to do in Malta in December
- Walk Valletta without the crowds. St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the museums work in any weather. Start with our Valletta guide.
- Spend half a day in Mdina and Rabat. The walled old capital is at its calmest in winter. See the Mdina and Rabat guide.
- Take the ferry to Gozo. It runs all year, and the island is green and quiet in winter. The Gozo guide has the route.
- Eat well. Long lunches are the winter plan: see the food and restaurants guide, and the Sunday market in Marsaxlokk.
- See the Christmas lights. Decorations and nativity scenes appear in towns across the island during the month.
Nightlife and parties in December
December nightlife is indoor nightlife. The open-air venues and the beach clubs are out of season, and what runs is concentrated in Paceville, in St Julian’s. In autumn 2026 Toy Room ran its Winter Edition on Saturday nights; its December dates had not been published when we updated this page.
The one fixed date is New Year’s Eve, on Thursday 31 December 2026. Our New Year’s Eve in Malta page gathers the plans as they are announced.
No 2027 party date has been announced yet. Clubs usually confirm their calendars between winter and spring, and every date is added to the Malta events calendar as soon as it is announced.
Be first, not second
Get the 2027 dates before they go public
We email the 2027 line-ups, dates and ticket links the day each one is confirmed. No spam, no daily mails, and one click to leave.
Public holidays in December
December has three public holidays. In 2026 Republic Day falls on a Sunday and Christmas Day on a Friday.
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Feast of the Immaculate Conception | Tuesday 8 December | Wednesday 8 December |
| Republic Day | Sunday 13 December | Monday 13 December |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December | Saturday 25 December |
Malta has 14 public holidays a year. See the full list in our guide to the public holidays of 2027 and of 2026. The 2027 weekdays are calculated from the calendar; the Government publishes the official list each year.
Tips for a trip in December
- Stay where you go out. In St Julian’s or Sliema you can walk back after a night out. Compare areas in where to stay in Malta.
- Keep a plan B for rain. With about 14 wet days in the month, pair every outdoor plan with an indoor one.
- Carry a physical photo ID on nights out. Clubs can ask for it at the door.
- Decide New Year’s Eve first. It is the one night of the month worth planning ahead; build the rest of the trip around it.
Comparing months? See the whole year in our guide to the best time to visit Malta, or read Malta in November and Malta in January.
Malta in December: FAQ
How warm is Malta in December?
Mild rather than warm. The official averages give a daytime high of 16.7 °C and a night-time low of 11.0 °C, with about 14 days of rain.
Can you swim in Malta in December?
Most visitors do not. The sea is cool in winter, the beach clubs are closed and December is the rainiest month. A dip is possible on a calm, sunny day, but it is not beach weather.
Are the clubs open in Malta in December?
The indoor ones, yes. In winter the night happens under a roof: Sky Club, in Paceville, is an indoor club, and Gianpula Village keeps its main room open all year. The beach clubs and the pools usually come back in spring. Check the events calendar for the exact nights.
Is December a good time to visit Malta?
Yes, if you want sightseeing, food and a quiet island, or if you are coming for New Year’s Eve. If you want pool parties, boat parties and beach days, come between June and September.