Throughout December, 56 Christmas-related activities will be organised across Malta and Gozo, coordinated by Local Councils with the support of the Local Government Division, which has allocated over €800,000 for the festivities.
The details were announced by the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli and the Director General of the Local Government Division Emile Vassallo.
The government statement said that 42 of the activities will take place in Malta and 14 in Gozo, with an expenditure of nearly €800,000.
Some of the events will begin in the last week of November and continue until 6 January.
Zerafa Civelli said that this scheme, which is highly sought after by Local Councils, has seen its funding increase once again this year.
She said that through the Local Government Division, the government has ensured that residents across Malta and Gozo can enjoy seasonal events in their respective localities.
"In recent years, we have seen Local Councils equipped with the necessary tools not only to implement beneficial projects - including infrastructural and social ones - but also to be in a position to organise cultural and seasonal activities in our towns and villages. This allows residents to enjoy activities within their own communities," she said.
Zerafa Civelli said that the Division is ensuring that these activities are of a high quality and standard, so that families have the opportunity to spend quality time together within their community.
Vassallo said that the Division is working hand in hand with Local Councils to ensure that these events are of a high standard and successful.
He added that the Division has continued to recognise the importance of Local Councils organising seasonal activities that are enjoyable and sustainable, so they can continue to be held professionally year after year.
"This year, the Local Government Division will be covering one-third of the total costs involved in organising these activities, helping ease some of the financial burdens associated with such events. The Local Councils benefiting from these funds submitted their own proposals, which went through an adjudication process before the respective funds were granted," Vassallo said.
The localities where the activities will be held are: Attard, Balzan, Mellieħa, Mosta, Naxxar, San Ġwann, St Paul's Bay, Imtarfa, Birkirkara, Gżira, Għargħur, Lija, Msida, St Julian's, Swieqi, Birgu, Isla, Bormla, Żabbar, Fgura, Floriana, Kalkara, Paola, Tarxien, Xgħajra, Qormi, Żejtun, Birżebbuga, Gudja, Għaxaq, Luqa, Marsa, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Santa Luċija, Santa Venera, Siġġiewi, Kirkop, Imqabba, Qrendi, Rabat, and Żurrieq in Malta; while in Gozo, events will take place in Rabat, Fontana, Għajnsielem, Għarb, Għasri, Kerċem, Munxar, Nadur, Qala, San Lawrenz, Sannat, Xagħra, Xewkija, and Żebbuġ.