The skies were lit up with fireworks last night in honour of Our Lady, whose feast was celebrated in seven parishes.
Fireworks enthusiasts eagerly await the annual feast, the biggest and most anticipated, and throngs of people joined in the processions and village-band performances.
The squares in Ghaxaq, Mosta, Attard, Victoria, Qrendi, Mqabba and Gudja were armed with ground fireworks ready to be lit up, while the band clubs and streets were decorated with flags, streamers and religious statues.
Earlier in the day a lull fell over the villages as the final touches were being made in preparation for the traditional feast of Santa Marija.
Traditionally, the feast is also linked to the Santa Marija Convoy which brought food supplies to the desperate Maltese on August 15, 1942, during the peak of World War II.
The fireworks displays will continue throughout the weekend.