The Xaghra Local Council, like many of the villages on Gozo today, organised various activities to celebrate Carnival 2016.
Visitors to Xaghra were not disappointed, they were able to experience a traditional family Carnival atmosphere, with fun, music and a riot of colour!
This carnival's main aim is to entertain all the members of the family and has three themes: the folkloric aspect of Carnival, Carnival festivities for children and the family Carnival, which was the one held today.
The traditional Kukkanja and Kumittiva were featured during the Carnival programme. Il-Kumittiva is synonymous with Xaghra village. This Gozitan Carnival dance dates back to 1890. 
The Council said that the village of Xaghra was instrumental in keeping this carnival dance alive and it has worked hard to revive this tradition especially when it started organising the village's carnival.
Entertainment for the crowds today included Carnival band marches by the Victory Band of Xaghra, starting from near Ta' Kola Windmill in Bambina Street along Frangisk Camilleri Street, Imqades Street, 8th September Avenue and Victory Square.
This was followed by a varied Carnival programme in Victory Square including defile of Carnival floats, dance by local companies and the kumittiva dance. Slices of traditional prinjolata were also given out.
Photographs by Alain Salvary