A selection of some of the best pictures taken by photographers of the Times of Malta.
A woman waits to have a children’s religious book autographed by Archbishop Paul Cremona during the annual exchange of New Year greetings at the Curia in Floriana on December 29. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Santa paddles his way through a group of canoeists as he makes his way towards the location of the Thomas Smith Charity Swim which raised 13,000 euros for L-Istrina in Sliema on December 29. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
77-year old Alfred Abela was one of the first to make a grand entrance into the wintery sea with a somersault at the Thomas Smith Charity Swim in Sliema on December 29. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
Breaking all previous records, almost 300 people, young and old donned their swimsuits and took the plunge at the Thomas Smith Charity Swim in Sliema on December 29. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
Andrew Grech, a regular charity swim participant, is caught in a mid-air lotus position as he jumps off a pontoon during the Thomas Smith Charity Swim in Sliema on December 29. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
A horse munches some hay at the Viviana Orfei Circus on Manoel Island on December 30. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
A tiger gently picks up her curious cub and draws it back into the inner part of the cage away from the prying eyes of photographers at the Viviana Orfei Circus at Manoel Island on December 30. The cubs are said to be less than a month old and were born as the circus was making its way to Malta. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
A dog runs past one of 23 rescued horses at the Funny Farm in Bidnija on December 26. Some of the horses may end up homeless as their sanctuary is set to be developed into an agritourism resort. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
A choir girl yawns in between songs during the annual exchange of New Year greetings between Archbishop Paul Cremona and the public at the Curia in Floriana on December 29. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
People walk through Valletta’s City Gate on December 31. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna (C) walks along a corridor at the Palace in Valletta after calling on the President to exchange New Year greetings on December 31. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
3D projections designed by students of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology are shown on the facade of the Grand Master’s Palace and reflected in the rain-soaked ground before New Year's Eve celebrations on St George’s Square in Valletta on December 31. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Coloured street lights are reflected on wet paving as a couple walks across St John’s Square in Valletta on December 31. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
People visit the Dar tal-Providenza home for people with disability during its 'Feast of Generosity' - an Open Day and fund raising event – in Siggiewi on January 1. The home needs €3.5m a year and is mostly dependant on the people's generosity. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
A cat frowns at the camera as if expecting an extra treat on New Year’s Day, even though its ‘home’ – the cat village located on Spinola Road, in St Julian’s - has been lavishly decorated for the festive season. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
5-year-old Leah Xuereb smiles for a photograph at her home in Għajnsielem, Gozo on December 31. In October 2012, Leah’s parents made a plea through the Times of Malta to fund her life-saving treatment for a rare form of cancer in a specialised US hospital. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
President George Abela, Opposition leader Simon Busutil and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat enjoy a light hearted moment during L-Istrina at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta on December 26. The annual event raised a record sum in excess of €3,400,000. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
A wall of signatures is illuminated with coloured lights at the entrance hall of L-Istrina at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta on December 26. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Labour Party deputy leader Toni Abela falls after shooting a ball before kick-off at ‘A Tackle for Id-Dar tal-Providenza’, a charity football match in which MPs from both sides of the House joined forces to raise funds for the cause. The match was played at St Aloysius College on December 30. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Labour Whip, Carmelo Abela takes a corner under the watchful eyes of Joe Cassar and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil at a charity football match in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza at St Aloysius College on December 30. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
PN whip David Agius is beaten to the ball during a charity football match at St Aloysius College on December 30. The charity match saw MP’s from both sides together with the various trade unions compete to raise funds for Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Young dancers perform their routine during the opening of L-Istrina at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta on December 26. The annual fundraising event in aid of the Community Chest fund raised a record sum exceeding €3,400,000. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Dancers take centre stage during the opening of L-Istrina at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta on December 26. The annual event raised in excess of €3,400,000 for the Community Chest fund. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Comedian Owen Bonnici participates in one of the activities during L-Istrina at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta on December 26. The 12-hour marathon raised in excess of €3,400,00 for the Community Chest fund. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Father Christmas pauses for a drink whilst enjoying breakfast with children at the Playmobil Fun Park, Hal Far on December 27. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Pigeon trainer Mario Bonello holds up the blooded wing of one of his racing pigeons after they were shot at during a routine training session in Rabat on December 27. 10 pigeons were lost during the incident after seven were downed by gunshot and three others failed to return. Three other birds returned severely wounded. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella keeps his distance from a chef whilst he flambés a dish in preparation for New Year’s Eve at The Cavalieri Hotel, St Julian’s. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina.