Malta Republic Day (December 13): History & National Days
Republic Day (Jum ir-Repubblika) is a national holiday in Malta on December 13. On this day in 1974, Malta amended its constitution to become a republic within the Commonwealth, replacing the British monarch as head of state with a Maltese President.
| Name | Republic Day (Malta) |
|---|---|
| When | Every year on December 13 |
| Next date | Sunday, December 13, 2026 · in 49 days |
| Type | Public Holidays |
| Observed in | 🇲🇹 Malta |
| Topic | Patriotic & History |
| First observed | 1974 |
| Public holiday? | Yes |
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Date | December 13 every year |
| Year | 1974 |
| First President | Sir Anthony Mamo |
| Capital | Valletta |
| Holiday type | National public holiday |
Malta’s Five National Days
| Holiday | Date | What it marks |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom Day | March 31 | Departure of British forces, 1979 |
| Sette Giugno | June 7 | 1919 riots and the path to self-government |
| Our Lady of Victories | September 8 | End of the Great Siege (1565) and other sieges |
| Independence Day | September 21 | Independence from Britain, 1964 |
| Republic Day | December 13 | Malta becomes a republic, 1974 |
A Small Island With a Big History
- Megalithic temples such as Ġgantija are among the oldest free-standing structures in the world, older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.
- The Knights of St. John ruled Malta from 1530 and defended it in the Great Siege of 1565.
- Valletta, built by the Knights, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The George Cross was awarded to the whole island by King George VI in 1942 for its bravery in the Second World War and appears on the flag.
- Malta joined the European Union in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2008.
How Republic Day Is Celebrated
- An investiture ceremony at the Palace in Valletta, where national honours are presented.
- Official ceremonies and wreath-laying.
- Christmas lights and festive events across Valletta.
👉 Also December 13: St. Lucia’s Day
Malta at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Islands | Malta, Gozo and Comino (plus small uninhabited islets) |
| Population | About 550,000 |
| Languages | Maltese and English |
| Capital | Valletta, the EU’s smallest capital |
| Famous for | Prehistoric temples, the Knights of St John, festas and diving |
The Maltese Language
Maltese is the only Semitic language with official status in the European Union and the only one written in the Latin alphabet. It developed from Siculo-Arabic and absorbed many words from Italian, Sicilian and English — a living record of Malta’s long history at the crossroads of the Mediterranean.
Things to Do in Malta in December
- See the Christmas lights on Republic Street in Valletta.
- Visit the cribs (presepju) exhibitions in towns and villages.
- Explore the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground prehistoric burial site (book in advance).
- Take a ferry to Gozo and visit the Ġgantija temples.
When is Republic Day (Malta)?
Republic Day (Malta) is observed every year on December 13. Here are the dates for the coming years:
| Year | Date | Day of the week | Countdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | December 13, 2026 | Sunday | in 49 days |
| 2027 | December 13, 2027 | Monday | in 414 days |
| 2028 | December 13, 2028 | Wednesday | in 780 days |
| 2029 | December 13, 2029 | Thursday | in 1145 days |
| 2030 | December 13, 2030 | Friday | in 1510 days |
| 2031 | December 13, 2031 | Saturday | in 1875 days |
FAQ
Malta celebrates Republic Day on December 13.
Malta became a republic within the Commonwealth on December 13, 1974.
Sir Anthony Mamo.
Malta has five national days: Freedom Day, Sette Giugno, Our Lady of Victories, Independence Day and Republic Day.