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