Malta hosts an incredible plethora of events throughout the year that cater to all ages and tastes. Malta’s rich event calendar offers performances, festivals, exhibitions, and feasts from local and international entertainers and exhibitors all year round. Malta welcomes, every year, multiple international contemporary, classical, and jazz artists, who host various concerts and festivals throughout the year.
Malta plays host to multiple sporting events on land, at sea, and in the air, and its art scene offers a range of theatre, dance performances, pantomimes, plays, and more. Explore some of Malta's events taking place this year below.
Changing of the Guard
Every last Friday of the month at 10:30 AM, a parade begins at St. George's Square in Valletta. Watch the Malta Armed Forces Band march along Republic Street to acknowledge the changing of the main guard at the Valletta Palace. It's a traditional and spectacular sight to see.
Saluting Battery
The Saluting Battery, one of Malta's most important historical events, takes place daily between 12 PM and 4 PM at the island's highest point. Soldiers traditionally fire heavy cannons. Visitors typically watch this historic event from the Grand Harbour. A must-see for anyone visiting Malta!
Valletta Baroque Festival, January 11 - 28, 2024
The Valletta International Baroque Festival offers the opportunity to hear world-class Baroque music artists in a historic atmosphere usually filled with a local and international audience. One of the festival's main stages is the Teatro Manoel, the world's oldest operating theater. St. John's Co-Cathedral and the Archaeological Museum of Valletta are just a few of the fascinating places you can visit. The Valletta International Baroque Festival offers the public a feast of music with magnificent performances ranging from Bach to Vivaldi and more.
Carnival, February 09 - 17, 2024
Spring is the time for carnivals, and if you're looking for a great party, this weekend of celebration won't disappoint. The centre of the festivities is Valletta, but there are similar celebrations in small towns. Across the island, you'll find people in colourful costumes eagerly awaiting the grand parade. The party continues into the late hours in Paceville! Don't miss this colourful side of Malta!
Holy Week, March 25 - 31, 2024
Easter is a big celebration in Malta. Churches are richly decorated and lit up at night. You shouldn't miss the magnificent church processions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Two famous processions take place on Good Friday in Qormi and on Good Friday and Easter Sunday in Vittoriosa. Many Maltese people participate and reenact biblical scenes in costumes. On Easter Sunday, in particular, a joyful and exuberant atmosphere covers the island.
Strawberry Festival, April TBA 2024
One of the biggest reasons locals look forward to the spring months is the Strawberry Festival! The festival, known as "Festa Frawli" by the locals, is organized in Mġarr, a village in the north of the island. Delicious strawberries are harvested for the festival, and locals prepare some delicious strawberry treats for the stalls that will be set up in the square in front of the Parish Church. The Strawberry Festival welcomes local and foreign visitors with super-tasty strawberries, stalls, and entertainment shows.
Malta International Fireworks Festival, April TBA 2024
The fireworks festival is a tradition in Malta. Both locals and tourists attend it. The Grand Harbour of Valletta is the perfect setting for this event, during which Malta's accession to the EU is also celebrated. The fireworks festival marks the start of many village feasts throughout Malta.
Valletta Green Festival, May TBA 2024
During this festival, Pjazza San Ġorġ, one of the largest open spaces in Valletta, will be transformed into a stunning display composed of no less than 80,000 seasonal plants and flowers. Discover various educational workshops, seminars, music, and entertainment around Pjazza San Ġorġ and other locations around Valletta.
Village Festivals
All year round, you can experience Malta's history and tradition up close. Each village has its feast day, known as a festa. It dedicates a week to honouring its patron saint, culminating in a sizable feast with lots of fireworks and a church procession the following day. The Maltese people will be delighted to share this tradition with you!
Earth Garden, June 6–9, 2024
The Earth Garden Festival is an unconventional outdoor music festival. The festival features 5 different music stages: Roots Stage, Enchanted Forest, Electronic Sphere, Strawberry Hill, and a well-organised live jamming area. This is the festival that kicks off the summer in Malta and promises a lot of fun and great music in an eco-friendly and welcoming environment.
Abode on the Rock, June 20–24, 2024
London-based promoters are about to take over Malta's sister island, Gozo, for their debut electronic music festival. Beach party, boat party, and dance until the early hours and create a truly magical experience on this beautiful island of Gozo, just a short ferry ride from mainland Malta.
Malta International Arts Festival, June 14–23, 2024
The Malta International Arts Festival takes place every year and offers a wide variety of art, including theater, dance, music, and painting. Enjoy a great selection of performances by renowned artists, both Maltese and international, in venues such as the Mediterranean Conference Centre, the MITP Theatre, or the St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity in Valletta. A selection of the performances is free.
L'Imnarja Summer Folk Festival, June TBA 2024
This festivity dates back even before the arrival of the Knights Hospitaller in 1530. Its name "L'Imnarja," "Festival of Light," originates from the many solstitial bonfires that originally accompanied the feast. Today, the festivity is located in the Buskett Gardens: families and friends use this day for a picnic, wine flows, and national delicacies, such as a traditional rabbit dish, are served. In the evening, singing, guitar, and local folk music provide entertainment.
Malta Fashion Week, TBA 2024
Malta Fashion Week is an amazing week of fashion shows, parties, and events that meet the highest standards of similar fashion weeks held in other fashion capitals around the world. The magnificent capital city of Valletta showcases some of the best talent in Malta's fashion industry, from fashion designers to runway models, stylists, and makeup artists. On July 2, the week will conclude with the 25th year of the Malta Fashion Awards.
Lost & Found Festival, TBA 2024
The Lost & Found Festival invites you to dance and listen to fantastic music from your favourite DJs and guarantees endless fun. Organized by DJ Annie Mac, the Festival promises multiple parties in some of Malta's best open-air nightclubs, as well as boat parties, pool parties, and even a party in a historic castle! Lost & Found gives you the chance to have an exciting experience with a diverse audience. It's one of the best choices for those who want to be part of a legendary weekend of parties.
Malta Jazz Festival, July 08 - 13, 2024
Three Mediterranean nights filled with international jazz in a unique and spectacular setting beneath Valletta's bastion and in front of the Grand Harbor. Jazz enthusiasts will be thrilled to take advantage of this opportunity to spend beautiful evenings with world-famous artists in July.
Malta Music Week, July 13 - 17, 2024
Malta Music Week marks the end of another school year and the start of another fabulous summer in Malta. Malta Music Week is a week filled with parties at different venues and offers something for everyone. This is a truly magical week full of freedom, music, and fun.
Isle of MTV Malta Special, July TBA, 2024
The annual Isle of MTV event attracts over 50,000 visitors each year. The musical spectacle includes a lineup of world-class artists and provides a unique opportunity to hear the top musicians live and for free, right on the sunny Mediterranean island of Malta. It's clear that this will be one of the must-see music festivals in Europe once again.
Rock the South, July 18 - 20, 2024
Rock the South Malta opens its doors to music lovers, with over 30 artists and multiple stages at the Zion Reggae Bar. Rock the South Malta has hosted over 100 artists since its inception. Every year, the festival offers endless entertainment with amazing local and international bands, transitioning from reggae to jazz to rock and even punk.
Farsons Great Beer Festival, July TBA 2024
At the Farsons Great Beer Festival in the small village of Ta' Qali, it's all about good music, good food, and, of course, good beer. Several thousand visitors are expected to join the 10-day free party. The program is full of fun activities and entertainment, and a large selection of bars offer food and drink. Numerous live performances with local musicians and bands can be enjoyed on the outdoor stage.
Eco Market Malta TBA 2024
Friends of the Earth Malta and Eco Market Malta have joined forces and are organising a 2-day market and celebration focused on everything that's good for people and the planet. The event includes a market with various approved and rated vendors offering a variety of everyday products, such as sustainable household items, ethical fashion, non-toxic personal care products, and arts and crafts. The October edition of Eco Market, however, will spotlight the thousands of local farmers who work hard every day to produce wonderful, healthy, and refreshing foods for our tables. Expect to find fresh, organic, and local produce, natural foods and snacks, as well as food trucks with authentic and delicious cuisine. This two-day event will also host information booths, awareness lectures, and educational workshops, all related to good food, sustainable living, and positive farming practices. There will be live music, entertainment, and fun activities for both children and adults. Everything is geared towards raising awareness and protecting our precious environment. Please note that the market operates with a 100% ban on disposable plastics. The Eco Market is held every month in different locations.
Earth Day Green Fair April TBA 2024
April 2024 in Ghajn Tuffieha, a weekend full of fun educational activities, sustainable initiatives, eco-friendly products, and climate awareness.
Ritum Roots Festival Malta 24 – 25 May 2024
This year, Ritmu is going back to its roots. Between May 2nd and 25, 2024, Ritmu Roots Festival is back. The programme, curated by artistic director Andrew Alamango, features the musical stylings of instrumentalists from around the Mediterranean, traditional Maltese folk music interwoven into contemporary sound, workshops for children, and more. Audiences are also invited to experience traditional Maltese Għana music in its natural setting and get a taste of the genre’s history through an exhibition dedicated to Maltese Għannej (Maltese folk singer) Mikiel “Il-Bambinu” Abela.
Eco Market Summer Night, Mellieha Square, Mellieha, TBA 2024
On the occasion of European Sustainable Mobility Week, the Eco Market will host a sustainable market and a variety of activities for children, as well as lectures and workshops for adults.
Dance Festival Malta, 25 – 28 July 2024
Dance Festival Malta is a multi-disciplinary festival that strives to cultivate a dance ecosystem in Malta by providing dance students and professionals with a platform for intense training and professional development. Spread over four days in July the festival will host a series of workshops, masterclasses, and performances that welcome the richness of the universal language of dance cultures, featuring established international artists and choreographers. Through this varied programme, audiences and participants can be part of a unique festival that not only celebrates movement but aims to be a reference point where dancers forge links with the global dance community and encourages intercultural exchanges. Dance Festival Malta represents a re-examination of how we look at dance, inviting you to share in a world of passion, movement, and connection in Malta.
Delicata Wine Festival, August TBA 2024
The Delicata Classic Wine Festival will provide a sophisticated evening with world-famous Maltese wines at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta! This festival, to be held at the local Delicata winery, offers visitors the opportunity to sample the best local vintage wines. Visitors can enjoy music in this beautiful setting and try new, classic, and vintage wines.
Summer Daze Malta, August 11 - 18, 2024
Summer Daze Malta is a music and dance festival. The festival hosts world-famous artists every year. So far, many different artists have performed, from David Guetta to Rita Ora, Tyga to Paul Kalkbrenner. Summer Daze Malta, held in São Paulo Bay and Ta'Qali National Park, attracts many locals and foreigners who love music.
Glitch Festival, August 13 - 16, 2024
The Glitch Festival invites house and techno music lovers to have an unforgettable experience at Gianpula Village. The festival offers endless entertainment in a unique atmosphere, from rooftop parties with a pool to secret rave parties and boat parties to the main stage where headliners perform. If you love to dance and electronic music, you must experience this festival.
Victory Day, September 8, 2024
In Malta, September 8th is a very special holiday because it commemorates three different occasions: the religious celebration of the Virgin Mary's birth, the end of the 1565 siege, and the day the British defeated the Italian army in World War II. The festivities take place in Senglea, Naxxar, Mellieha, and Xaghra in Gozo. Since 1878, a rowing regatta has been held every year in the large harbor basin between six teams from Malta's major harboru areas—a great spectacle!
Independence Day, September 21, 2024
Malta gained its political independence from Britain on September 21, 1964. In the evening, the Maltese flag was raised at Independence Arena in Floriana, to the applause of a huge crowd of people. Since then, many festivities and activities have been taking place every year on September 21 to properly celebrate this day.
Mediterranean Festival, September TBA 2024
A festival to celebrate the Mediterranean culture and history of the island. The Mediterranea Festival takes place in Gozo. During the festival, performances, concerts, and shows will take place all over the island. Many activities are organized, from art exhibitions to food and drink events, from archeology conferences to historical tours. You can get to know Mediterranean culture at this festival, where the whole island becomes a cultural center!
End of Summer Festival, Gzira Gardens, near Ta'Xbiex Yacht Marina, September - October TBA 2024
Experience three days of eco-conscious happiness at our Eco Market, nestled in a vibrant "End of Summer" festival. Embracing a warm and family-friendly atmosphere, complete with live music, food trucks, children's entertainment, and a treasure trove of delicious discoveries awaiting you in the eco-sustainable community.
Mdina Classic, October TBA 2024
The Mdina Grand Prix Classic Car event is held every year in October. The Mdina street circuit is situated in the countryside, below the bastions of the old capital city. It promises to be a magical weekend of classic car racing. From classic sports cars to modern monsters, everyone is getting ready to enjoy.
Notte Bianca, October 5, 2024
Palaces and museums stay open late with special discounts on entry; some are even free, like the President's Palace. The streets are full of life with visual art exhibitions and theatrical performances. Music echoes through the streets as local and foreign bands are also on display for your entertainment. Of course, cafes and restaurants will be open late with food stalls and tables for delicious local delicacies.
Eco Market in Floriana, October TBA 2024
Feel the fantastic atmosphere and joyful faces at the one and only Eco Market, showcasing a truly authentic selection of sustainable, eco-friendly products from our small business community. An incredible display of eco-sustainable products, vegan food, vegan beer, live music, and an hourly schedule of FREE activities! You'll find it right in front of the Phoenicia Hotel.
Birgu Festival, October TBA 2024
The Birgufest, formerly known as Birgu by Candlelight, has grown in popularity over the past few years. Mainly because of the immense beauty that is portrayed throughout this small fortified town. Thousands of candles spread out on every step and balcony have completely lit up this historic city. You will find a wide variety of food stalls, restaurants, and bands to liven up the night.
Rolex Middle Sea Race, October 23 - 25, 2024
The Rolex Middle Sea Race starts in the port of Valletta. Around 70 cruising boats embark on a 606-nautical-mile journey to pass through the Strait of Messina along the eastern coast of Sicily. The journey continues around Stromboli, Favignana, and Pantelleria in Sicily, and then back to Malta via Lampedusa. The different landscapes and sea textures make this race a particular and attractive challenge! The race will begin on October 23.
Arti Fil-Misraħ, TBA 2024
The streets of the northern town of Mellieħa are transformed every Friday in July, showcasing local artists, musicians, artisans, and similar talents for the locals and tourists to enjoy. A perfect way to start your weekend.
Għanafest, TBA 2024
Ghanafest is a Malta folk music festival that lasts three days every year in June. Maltese traditional cuisine and breath-taking views of Floriana Argotti Gardens accompany the festival. Besides Maltese folk music, local musicians and groups take the stage. During the three-day festival, various handcraft exhibitions take place in the stalls.
