Festa Ħut (Fish Festival) 2024 in Malta

Being an island in the Mediterranean, Malta understandably celebrates the fishing culture on a great scale. Every fishing village holds its own celebration once a year. Marsaxlokk is one of the most famous fishing villages. The festival celebrating its main product is called Mir-Raħal tas-Sajjieda or Festa Ħut. This is a holiday of one of Malta’s oldest trades and a great opportunity to learn the culture and the lore that goes with it.

Mir-Raħal tas-Sajjieda is celebrated around September 11th every year. The Marsaxlokk Harbor is dotted with colorful "luzzi" boats, painted in bright shades of blue, red, yellow, and green. A pair of eyes depicted on a boat’s bow symbolizes power and good health and is believed to offer protection for fishermen when out at sea. In the mornings, "luzzi" are full of freshly caught fish on the way to the local market, which opens at 6 am. The stalls offer swordfish, tuna, and lampuki. The festival, organised by the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Agriculture and Fisheries and Animal Right, is a perfect chance to try the best fish Malta has to offer.

Festival Highlights

In addition to food delights, Marsaxlokk Festa Ħut features fishing and aquaculture exhibits, bingo game, children's activities, as well as live music and various entertainment. Twice a day, at 7 am and at 2 pm, fishing competitions take place around the harbor. Contestants try to catch (and then release) the largest number of fish. You can also visit fish farms with traditional entertainment, including għana (music) and folk dancing. The festival runs from 6 am to 6 pm.