Vittoriosa will switch off its electric street lights on 22 December, and instead light up decorative lights put up by residents for the festive season. There will be Christmas trees, cribs, mangers with baby Jesus statues and other Christmas decorations, in the activity, Carols by Christmas Lights, being held jointly by the local council and the Malta Tourism Authority.

At the Inquisitor’s Palace there will be an exhibition of international cribs, and visitors are welcome to sample different food associated with Christmas, and Maltese food, accompanied by music from the Prince of Wales and St Lawrence bands. Other activities will see the Joy Gospel Singers singing Christmas tunes at St Lawrence parish church, the Enkor Choir at the church of the Annunciation, and the Ghaxaq Folk Ensemble will perform at St Joseph Oratory of St Lawrence church, and at Sta Skolastika school. There will also be stilt walkers and singing by leading singers at Victory Square.

The activity was announced by Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, who said statistics showed that some 315,000 tourists visited Cottonera in 2006, but there was potential for a greater number.