Malta’s national festive season procession takes over the streets of Valletta on the 20th December 2018. This traditional procession with baby Jesus starts off at the St Augustine Church in Old Bakery Street at 5:45pm, making its way to St John’s Street and Republic Street. The procession comes to an end in front of the traditional Nativity scene in Triton Square.
More than 50 band members from the Big Friends Guggen Musik Malta AD 2008 band, dressed in jolly Christmas costumes, will be accompanying the procession while playing festive music. While the procession is ongoing, the Armed Forces of Malta band will be performing at Triton Square, starting at 5.30pm. The programme will also include messages from the heads of state and will be broadcast on live television. During the final part, the procession will arrive near the crib and four children representing different communities in Valletta will place baby Jesus in the crib.
Full programme below:
St Augustine Church
17:45 hrs Procession exits the Church, with the participation of the Guggen Musik Malta AD 2008 band and the Valletta parishes
18:00 hrs Procession reaches Republic Street
18:05 hrs Procession walks through Republic Street, with the participation of children from Museum societies around all of Malta, who will be joining children from the Valletta Parishes. Together with the Guggen band, they will be singing and playing Christmas hymns.
Triton Square
17.45 hrs Alison Ellul choir takes its place
17.50 hrs March with the Armed Forces Band from St George’s Square to Triton Square
18.00 hrs Armed Forces Band arrives in Triton Square
18.03 hrs Arrival of the Honourable Leader of the Opposition
18.06 hrs Arrival of His Excellency the Archbishop of Malta
18.08 hrs Arrival of the Honourable Speaker and Mrs Farrugia
TVM starts live broadcast – Compere Joe Dimech
18.13 hrs Arrival of the Honourable Prime Minister and Mrs Muscat
18.17 hrs Arrival of Her Excellency the President of Malta and Mr Preca
18.18 hrs The Armed Forces of Malta plays the National Anthem
18.22 hrs Message from the Honourable Leader of the Opposition
18.29 hrs Message from His Excellency the Archbishop of Malta
18.36 hrs Message from the Honourable Speaker of the House of Deputies
18.43 hrs Message from the Honourable Prime Minister
18.50 hrs Message from Her Excellency the President of Malta
18.55 hrs Arrival of the Procession of Baby Jesus with the participation of children from all the Valletta parishes
19.00 hrs Baby Jesus is placed in the crib by 3 children from the Parishes, and from the 3 Parish priests of Valletta
19:10 hrs Music from the Guggen Musik Christmas Band