End of Year Celebrations

It’s Boxing Day, the feast of St. Stephen and this is the last week of 2016.

Most of us are on holiday or on shutdown, enjoying the season and here’s a list of things that you can enjoy in Gozo right now….

Concerts, concerts and more concerts

On Wednesday 28th, there are 2 concerts which you might consider attending.  One will be held in Xagħra and is animated by Animae Gospel Choir.  The other titled ‘Dreams of Vienna’, will be held by the Għaqda Mużikali Viżitazzjoni of Għarb under the musical direction of Mro. Jason Camilleri. On Friday 30th there’s yet another concert to attend. This time it’s The Foundation Santa Cecilja A.D 2013 (Għawdex) that will hold a concert of Christmas carols, at St. James’ chapel in Victoria. On the 1st of January, The Gaulitanus Choir, will hold their annual grand concert to welcome the new year with a repertoire of joyful music, at the Kempinski Hotel in San Lawrenz.

Explore the countryside

At this time of the year, Gozo is a great place for hiking and enjoying the outdoors.  Breathe in the fresh air and unwind in the Gozitan countryside by venturing on some path that you have never taken before. One great hike is the path that from the village of Santa Luċija brings you to the Għadira ta’ San Rafflu along the cliffs’ edge. Down below, Xlendi Bay and the open sea spread into an amazing  view. If you keep following the path you will go past the limestone quarries of San Lawrenz and ultimately end up in Dwejra.

Discover more cribs and exhibitions

If you have not found time to have a look at the various cribs and exhibitions, now is the time. There are myriad of exhibitions and displays in practically all the towns and villages and it’s not only cribs and nativity scenes but Christmas philately, Holy Arts, Nativity artefacts and old Gozitan pasturi that are on show!

Welcoming the New Year

One great way of welcoming the New Year is joining the crowd from 10.00p.m. onwards at Independence Square and St. George’s Square in Rabat where Gozo will hold the official countdown to usher in 2017. Join us for the show, that will include Desi Campell as a special guest, the bands Novel, Upper Lip and Strait Ahead along with DJ Brooks and DJ Matt and Geez.  Food and drink stalls will be present and the night promises to be a festive one!

Epiphany

Once we’re in the New Year, the feast of the Epiphany (on January 8^th) is what brings to an end the uniquely Gozitan Christmas season.  In Gozo, the villages of Xagħra and Qala hold a manifestation of this event with Magi dressed in elaborate and Oriental costumes arriving at the main square of the village to bear presents to Baby Jesus.  At Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem, the three kings will arrive at the village on the 1^st of January, making a triumphant entry.

Visit Gozo wishes you all a happy new year!