The 15th of August is a national holiday in Malta and on this day, Gozo and other villages will be bubbling with the Santa Marija festival. The majority of Maltese festivals are religiously inclined due to a strong Catholic presence in the country. But nevertheless, this festival (Santa Marija) is a remarkable attraction for tourists and a huge source of traditional pride for the people of Malta. Every year, families in Malta look forward to this ceremony as they would to Christmas or Easter because it offers that special opportunity for family bonding and that great sense of community in Malta. It works to such extent that family members who are away or abroad come home to take part in the festival.

The Santa Marija fiesta is a day dedicated to celebrate the Assumption of Mary. Other villages where this feast is also celebrated include Qrendi, Gudja, Mqabba, Mosta, Attard and Ghaxaq. Santa Marija is one of the most popular fiestas in Malta and brings a great number of visitors to the island every year. During this time, many hotels and other holiday accommodations are reported to be fully booked, which makes the booking of last minute flights to Malta difficult. If you plan on frolicking with the fun-loving Maltese this summer, don't leave booking to the last minute!

The festival is characterized by various preparations and street decorations. On the day of the festival, there are unusual flocks of people to the churches for commemoration services and to offer some prayers of thankgiving to the saint. Following the church service, there is a huge celebration which includes traditional dancing, music and feasting. Some of these parties continue into the morning.

The major highlights of the event include processions of different matching bands in their various costumes. For fireworks enthusiasts, there will be a massive display of fireworks and petards by different competitive groups. These spectacular displays, usually in large scale, are major contributors to the fun and excitement of this festival. It is a very good time to see the culture and spirit of the Maltese at its best.

However, there are other interesting attractions of the festival. You will be offered the chance to taste some of Malta's Mediterranean cuisines including some of its traditional sweets and nougat. Various carts offering these delicacies are displayed throughout the villages. And what could be more gratifying than a splash of wine or a taste of some Maltese traditional drinks to go with your meal?