Things to do in Rabat, Malta: festa, markets and local shops

Feasts, markets and more in Rabat

Rabat has 3 feasts in the 2026 church calendar. The main one is St Joseph, on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

On a festa night the church is lit up, the band plays in the street and the statue of the saint is carried out. It is free and anyone can go.

Feast of St Joseph, Thursday, 19 March 2026Rabat (Ta' Ġieżu) parish. Fixed day, so 2027 should be Friday, 19 March 2027
Feast of Corpus Christi, Sunday, 21 June 2026Rabat parish. 2027 date when the Archdiocese publishes it
Feast of St Paul, Sunday, 5 July 2026Rabat parish. 2027 date when the Archdiocese publishes it

Rabat has no weekly market of its own, but one is a short drive away.

Ta' Qali farmers' marketEvery Tuesday and Saturday morning, in Ta' Qali, about 2 km away. Buy fruit and vegetables straight from Maltese farmers. Go early for the best choice.

Natalis Notabilis Christmas marketSaturday, 5 December 2026 to Monday, 14 December 2026. One of the biggest Christmas markets in Malta, in the old streets of Rabat. Crafts, sweets and music.

One local business is listed in Rabat, by trade: cafés (1).

Is-Serkin (Crystal Palace)Cafés. A pastizzi bar on Triq San Pawl in Rabat since the mid-1940s. Pastizzi tal-irkotta and tal-piżelli served hot from the oven with tea in a glass, to farmers, night owls and everyone in between.

Towns close to Rabat have their own feasts in the same months.

More local shops and makers a short trip from Rabat, nearest first.

Every festa, market and event we know about, sorted by date. See what's on in Malta and Gozo

How this list is ordered: Promoted listings first (they pay for the spot), then Founding and Verified members, then everyone else.

A Rabat pastizzeria, pastizzi and milky tea since the 1940s