Feast of Stella Maris Sliema

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Religious & SpiritualSliema
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageSliema's feast stands out for its seafront
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: EUR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Feast of Stella Maris Sliema in Sliema

The Feast of Stella Maris, Our Lady Star of the Sea, is celebrated in Sliema around the third Sunday of August with a week of street decoration, brass band marches and a harbourside procession. Volunteers carry an elaborate statue of the patron saint through streets where crowds throw confetti from balconies, and the night closes with fireworks synchronised to music along the waterfront.

Sliema grew from a quiet coastal suburb into one of Malta's busiest towns, its promenade lined with hotels, cafes and apartment blocks facing the water toward Valletta.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Sliema's feast stands out for its seafront setting: the titular church, founded in the 1850s, sits close to the promenade, and the celebration extends naturally onto the waterfront where fireworks are timed to music for a coordinated audiovisual finale rare among Maltese festas

02

The mystery stays covered

The week-long build-up sees the town's streets and houses adorned with banners in the parish colours, while brass bands march nightly through the crowds

03

The city starts moving

On the feast day itself, parish volunteers, rather than professionals, shoulder the heavy statue through the streets, a display of physical devotion that residents take considerable pride in, followed by confetti thrown from balconies and rooftops along the route

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Stella Maris

Water and renewal

Living ritual

Our Lady Star of the Sea

The sacred route

Living ritual

is a Marian title long associated with seafarers and coastal communities

The local code

Living ritual

fitting for Sliema's identity as a harbour town

Tradition 5

Living ritual

The feast follows Malta's standard festa structure of street decoration

Tradition 6

Living ritual

band marches and a statue procession

Tradition 7

Living ritual

but the fact that lay volunteers

Tradition 8

Living ritual

rather than a paid team

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Smart casual, warm-weather clothing suitable for a coastal town in August; modest coverage for the church, comfortable footwear for standing along the procession route and evening breezes...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of Sliema you will actually use, or choose a transport base with an easy return after peak hours.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map35.91 N, 14.50 EOpen in Google Maps

Sliema, Central Region, Malta

Nearest airportMLA — Malta
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of Sliema you will actually use, or choose a transport base with an easy return after peak hours.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Sliema via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Sliema, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearSmart casual, warm-weather clothing suitable for a coastal town in August; modest coverage for the church, comfortable footwear for standing along the procession route and evening breezes off the water.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Malta and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Feast of Stella Maris Sliema?

Feast of Stella Maris Sliema is listed for August · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Feast of Stella Maris Sliema take place?

The festival is listed in Sliema, Malta. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Sliema, Central Region, Malta

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually August
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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