Follow the Brass Bands Through Qormi's Streets
You hear the drums before you see anything. On the evening of 10 February, the streets of Qormi fill with marching bands, parish banners, and crowds pressed against the pavements as the statue of Saint Paul is carried through the town. The feast marks the shipwreck of the Apostle Paul on Malta around AD 60, described in Acts 27:27–28:11, when the ship carrying him to Rome broke up on rocks off the island and all aboard swam ashore. Paul healed the island's governor Publius and stayed three months before departing. Saint Paul is the patron saint of Malta, and this is one of the few Maltese church feast days with national public holiday status.
In 2027, the feast falls on Wednesday 10 February. The day is a public holiday across Malta, so expect banks, offices, and many shops to close. Plan your visit around the religious and civic events that define the day.
Morning Fireworks and Mass in Valletta
The principal celebrations take place at the Parish Church of Saint Paul Shipwrecked in Valletta — one of the oldest churches in the city, dating from the 1570s. If you want to experience the feast at its most traditional, start your day here.
- Attend one of the several morning masses, including the 8am service.
- Step outside after the 8am mass for fireworks over Grand Harbour — a morning display that lights up the water and the fortifications.
- Look inside the church at the altarpiece, paintings, and the carved wooden statue of Saint Paul, dated 1659.
- See the relics, including a claimed wrist bone of Paul and a piece of the column of his beheading.
- Stay for the noontime procession, which features a marching band only.
Evening Procession Along Republic Street
As daylight fades, Valletta's evening procession becomes the centrepiece of the feast. The statue of Saint Paul is carried from the church along Republic Street to Saint John's Square, accompanied by marching band music, confetti, banners, and dense crowds. Position yourself along Republic Street early if you want a clear view — the route draws locals and visitors alike, and the atmosphere builds as the bands approach.
The day is also marked by family gatherings across Malta, so you will see households and neighbourhoods celebrating together well into the evening.
Qormi's Own Feast-Day Rhythm
Qormi, like many Maltese towns, holds its own celebrations for the feast of Saint Paul's Shipwreck. While the national and principal religious events are centred in Valletta, Qormi's streets take on a festive character with band marches, parish observances, and neighbourhood gatherings. The town's strong band club tradition means you can expect processions and musical performances through the day. Check locally for the exact routes and timings, as these vary year to year.
If you are based in Qormi, you can attend morning mass at your local parish, watch the town's band march, and still make the short trip to Valletta for the Grand Harbour fireworks and the evening procession. The two locations are close enough to combine both into one full day.
What to Eat and When to Go
February in Malta is cool and often wet, so dress warmly and bring an umbrella. The feast food is hearty and seasonal — look for warm pastizzi from local pastizzerias, fresh bread, and traditional Maltese dishes in family-run restaurants. In Qormi, bakeries are a particular point of pride, and many open early on feast day. Around Valletta, cafes and bars near Republic Street fill up before and after the procession, so book a table if you want to sit down for lunch or dinner.
2027 is a Wednesday, which means the public holiday falls midweek. That can mean slightly smaller crowds than a weekend feast, but the core events — the masses, the morning fireworks, the noontime band, and the evening procession — go ahead regardless of the day of the week.
Start Planning Your February Visit
Mark Wednesday 10 February 2027 in your diary. Book your accommodation in Qormi or Valletta well in advance, plan to be at the Parish Church of Saint Paul Shipwrecked for the 8am mass and the fireworks that follow, and keep your evening free for the procession along Republic Street. The feast is a national holiday, deeply felt and widely celebrated — a day to walk, listen, taste, and join in.