Gozo in February is all about love, but not in a way that is confined to a single day. While St Valentine’s Day falls on 14 February, the island embraces the season over a longer, more relaxed period, with Valentine themed events running from 31 January through mid February.
As this romantic atmosphere lingers, Gozo gradually shifts pace. Carnival unfolds across the island from 7 to 17 February, filling village squares with colour, creativity, and Gozo’s distinctive sense of humour. Family friendly parades, spontaneous masks, and bold satire create a striking contrast to the calm of Valentine season.
It is this gentle transition from romance to revelry that makes February such a compelling time to experience Gozo, allowing visitors to enjoy both moods without feeling rushed.
St Valentine’s Season in Gozo
February begins gently with Inħobbok Valentine’s in Gozo, a programme that turns Valentine’s Day into a season rather than a single occasion. The emphasis is on shared experiences, local culture, and slowing down enough to enjoy them.
At the centre of the celebrations is Villa Rundle Gardens in Victoria. The Made With Love Artisan Fair is expected to take place on 8 February, bringing together local artisans and handmade Valentine gift ideas in a casual garden setting.
Valentine themed children’s activities are planned for 7 and 8 February, with creative and interactive sessions designed to add a family friendly element to the programme. Activities are expected to run at different times throughout the day, offering flexibility for visitors.
The Għawdex Inħobbok concert, originally scheduled earlier in the Valentine programme, has been postponed and will now take place on 28 February, from 20:00 to 23:00, at Independence Square (It-Tokk) in Victoria. The concert is free to attend and closes Gozo’s Valentine season with a relaxed and celebratory evening of live music.
How to Spend St Valentine’s Day in Gozo
St Valentine’s Day itself does not need a strict itinerary to feel special. In Gozo, simplicity is often the most effective approach. A slow morning, a walk through Victoria, one meaningful stop such as the Citadel, and a long lunch or early dinner are often enough to create a memorable day.
February is also one of the best months for a short couples’ escape to Gozo. With fewer visitors and a calmer rhythm, even a single overnight stay feels restorative. Dinner in Victoria, a quiet evening, and a peaceful morning walk before the ferry crowds arrive capture the island at its best.
Carnival in Gozo: Spotlight Events to Plan Around
Carnival in Gozo officially runs from 7 to 17 February, bringing colour, creativity, and celebration to the island. During the early part of the programme, Carnival events are blended with lingering St Valentine’s decorations and themes, creating a distinctive atmosphere where romance and revelry overlap across town squares and village streets.
Organised Carnival in Nadur
The organised Carnival celebrations in Nadur take place on 8 February, running until 12:30, and offer a structured introduction to one of Gozo’s most iconic Carnival destinations. This daytime programme features costumes, performances, and a festive square atmosphere, making it particularly suitable for families and first time visitors.
Spontaneous Carnival in Nadur
From 13 to 17 February, Nadur transforms after sunset with its world famous spontaneous Carnival, beginning wara nżul ix-xemx. During these evenings, masks appear unexpectedly, identities are hidden, and satire takes centre stage. With no fixed programme, this side of Nadur Carnival is bold, irreverent, and entirely driven by creativity and anonymity.
Carnival Défilé in Victoria
Victoria hosts the more traditional side of Gozo’s Carnival, with organised parades, performances, and music in the town centre. The Gozo Carnival Opening Parade takes place on 7 February at 19:30 in Victoria, marking the official start of the celebrations with a colourful défilé of costumes, movement, and carnival spirit. This opening event sets the tone for the days that follow and is particularly well suited to couples and families who prefer a more contained Carnival experience.
Carnival in Munxar
One of the early Carnival highlights takes place in Munxar on 12 February, at Pjazza tal-Knisja, starting from 17:00 onwards. Il-Karnival fil-Munxar offers a village based celebration with costumes, music, and a welcoming community atmosphere, ideal for those who prefer a more local and relaxed Carnival experience.
Check out full Carnival programme on Events in Gozo – don’t miss it!
Why February is the Perfect Time to Escape to Gozo
February in Gozo has a way of pulling you in slowly. It starts quietly, with small moments and gentle celebrations, and then builds into something far more expressive. One evening you are walking through a garden filled with Valentine charm, the next you find yourself surrounded by colour, music, and laughter in a village square.
What makes this time of year special is not just what is happening, but how it feels. There is space to slow down, to join in when you want to, and to step back when you do not. Romance and celebration exist side by side, without competing for attention.
It is in this balance that Gozo truly shines…
February does not ask you to rush or choose. It simply invites you to experience the island as it is, open, creative, and full of character.
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