Feast of the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi in Marsa

On Saturday 26 September, Marsa marks the Feast of the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi, commemorating the saint's stigmata and his devotion to Christ's passion. Marching brass bands parade through the town's streets, and buildings are decorated with flags, flowers and religious statuary. In the evening, a statue of St Francis is carried in procession through candlelit streets, accompanied by hymn-singing and brass music.

Food stalls along the route sell imqaret, qubbajt, pastizzi and other Maltese specialities. Fireworks — ground-based petards and aerial displays — close the celebrations after dark.

St Francis is venerated across several Maltese parishes, and this feast follows the standard format of a titular procession, brass band accompaniment and street stalls found in most Maltese village festas.