Cultural celebrations:

Saturday 8 December – Sunday 9 December, various times: LUX Film Prize 2018 - Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

The prestigious LUX film prize, which aims to spread the love of film across the European continent, has had three corker titles in the final selection this year: Serbian film-maker Mila Turajlic’s The Other Side of Everything, a documentary dealing with the historical trauma of war; German director Wolfgang Fisher’s topical film, Styx, telling the story of a doctor who must decide whether to come to the aid of refugees at sea; and, the winning title, Woman at War, by Benedikt Erlingsson, about a woman who takes on her local aluminium company in a bid to save the environment around her. And, this weekend, all three films come to the screen at Spazju Kreattiv, giving you the opportunity to watch three films of the year's better films which made waves outside our shores. 

Wednesday 5 December from 7.30pm – 9.30pm: Malta Café Scientifique: Night at the Virtual Museum - Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

The next event under the auspices of Malta Café Scientifique opens the doors to using 3D models and virtual reconstructions to bring museums, and sites of cultural heritage, to the general public. This talk will explore the way in which some of Malta’s most important cultural repositories can be recreated virtually, including the commemorative marble slabs that decorate the flooring of St. John’s Co-Cathedral. So, you can stay and marvel, long after closing time. 

Entertain the kids:

Thursday, 6 December from 9.30pm – 11pm: Nutcracker! - Teatru Manoel, Valletta; Saturday, 8 December from 4pm – 5pm: Toby's Christmas Magic Show - Toby's Toymaster Malta, B’Kara; Saturday 8 December – Sunday, 9 December from 9am: Festa Natura - Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park, Mellieha

The kids may not be on holiday yet but that doesn’t mean the island is devoid of entertainment for the little ones this week. In fact, there are a host of activities you can enjoy with the entire family, even on a school night (if you dare!). On Thursday night, head to Teatru Manoel for a performance of The Nutcracker, part of the theatre’s Toi Toi set of educational events. But, with only a few weekends left to go till Christmas, you might also want to discover which toys they expect to find in their stocking come Christmas morning. If you still don’t know, perhaps Toby’s Christmas Magical Show in B’Kara may give you some ideas. And, more productively, make it truly a feast for the senses at Festa Natura – a celebration of nature which will give the kids more than consumeristic tac: cherished memories to have and to hold for years to come. 

Not for grinches:

From Friday, 7 December from 6pm – 11pm: Natalis Notabilis 2018 - Malta's Christmas Village – various locations around Rabat; Friday, 7 December at 10am: Pop-Up at Villa Bologna, Thrivers Christmas Market - Villa Bologna, St. Anthony Street, Attard; Saturday, 8 December from 3pm:  Christmas Market Including the Christmas Fair - Pjazza San Lawrenz, Gozo

While the weather has become a little bit chillier (though, of course, nothing like it is further north), it doesn’t yet fully feel like Christmas is around the corner. But the fairs kicking off over the next few days are testament that we better get our mulled wine and mince pies out (unless you haven’t already). The famed Natalis Nobilis starts this weekend – every-popular with festive crowds and considered one of the biggest events that end of the island – while, in Gozo, a Christmas fair is set to entertain those who cannot get enough of tinsel and sparkle this season. If you’re into more intimate experiences, perhaps a visit to the Pop-Up Market at Villa Bologna on Friday will do the trick.

Away from those carols:

Friday, 7 December – Saturday, 8 December: APS Teatru Unplugged 21 - Teatru Manoel, Valletta; Thursday, 6 December from 7pm – 9pm: Rock 'N Malta present The Boomtown Rats - Aria Complex, San Gwann. 

Not everything is covered in fairy dust this week (thankfully). Get away from the excesses of the festive season and experience some truly celebratory music with the legendary Teatru Unplugged hitting Teatru Manoel at the weekend: 5 short acts, including Ċikku l-Poplu & Friends, Fiona Cauchi, Colourblind, Relikc, and Miklòs Veszprémi, will get their groove on far from the maddening crowds. But, before that, on Thursday, the Boomtown Rats are in town at Aria Complex. Are you ready for a late one?