Malta Events Calendar 2026

Malta Events Calendar 2026

Malta’s events calendar is packed with festivals, concerts, cultural traditions and seasonal highlights. From centuries-old religious celebrations to cutting-edge music festivals, every month brings something unique to discover. Whether you’re here in winter or summer, you’ll find energy, colour and community across the islands.

Explore our month-by-month guide to Malta’s biggest and best events in 2026. With something for everyone — from classical music lovers and cultural explorers to nightlife enthusiasts and families — you’ll always find a reason to celebrate during your stay.

Valletta Baroque Festival

January 2026 (exact dates TBA)

World-class Baroque artists perform Bach, Vivaldi and more across glorious venues — from the Teatro Manoel (one of the oldest operating theatres) to St John’s Co-Cathedral.

A feast for classical fans and curious newcomers alike.

Rock’n Malta

January 2026 (TBA)

Winter rock and alternative gigs across Valletta and beyond, bringing together Malta’s underground and international acts for intimate, high-energy shows.

Ideal for visitors looking to catch live music in cooler months.

Carnival

13 – 17 February 2026

Spring’s riot of colour: gigantic floats, masked dancers and costumed crowds fill Valletta and other towns.

Music, satire, confetti and creative showmanship by day and night.

Malta Marathon – “An Island Adventure”

22 February 2026

Malta’s premier running event attracts athletes from across the world for a scenic course through the island’s towns and coastline.

Full marathon, half marathon and walkathon options.

Holy Week

29 March – 5 April 2026

Churches are adorned, streets illuminated, and communities re-enact biblical scenes in solemn Good Friday processions.

Easter Sunday flips the mood to joy with bands and bells.

Freedom Day Regatta

31 March 2026

Commemorating the withdrawal of British forces in 1979, featuring a colourful rowing regatta in the Grand Harbour.

Sport, history and community spirit combined.

Maltese National Regatta – Freedom Day

31 March 2026

Traditional rowing regatta in the Grand Harbour commemorating Freedom Day. Six teams from Malta’s harbour areas compete fiercely.

Free to watch from the bastions.

Earth Day Green Fair

22 April 2026

At Għajn Tuffieħa, Earth Day brings a weekend of eco-friendly stalls, workshops and climate-aware fun.

Discover sustainable products, community initiatives and hands-on activities in a stunning coastal setting.

Strawberry Festival (Festa Frawli)

Late April 2026 (TBA)

Mġarr’s beloved celebration of all things strawberry. Farmers and volunteers transform harvests into irresistible treats.

Sweet, lively and very local — arrive early; it gets busy fast.

Malta International Fireworks Festival

April 2026 (TBA)

Pyrotechnic masters paint the night over the Grand Harbour and other sites, celebrating Malta’s fireworks heritage.

Bring a camera and pick a waterside vantage point for the full spectacle.

Rong Open Air Festival

7 – 10 May 2026

A large open-air dance and trance festival across Malta, including beach parties and boat raves.

Perfect for fans of uplifting trance, progressive beats and big outdoor stages.

Sunny Side Festival

15 – 17 May 2026

Underground house, techno and electronic artists gather for a 3-day festival at beach clubs and rooftop venues.

Known for intimate sets, sunrise sessions and a friendly crowd.

Ritmu Roots Festival

20 – 23 May 2026

Dedicated to Malta’s folk traditions, bringing together Mediterranean artists, Maltese għana singers and instrumentalists.

Concerts, workshops and children’s activities curated by Andrew Alamango.

Turandot (Opera Production)

30 May 2026

Puccini’s opera performed at Teatru Astra in Gozo with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

A rare chance to experience world-class opera in a baroque theatre setting.

TRIIP Festival

29 – 31 May 2026

Three days of curated house and techno with international DJs, daytime beach sessions and night-time club takeovers.

A high-production showcase of electronic music.

DLT Malta

4 – 7 June 2026

A high-energy electronic music festival staged across beaches, rooftop clubs and pool venues.

Expect DJs, daytime boat parties and after-dark takeovers.

Earth Garden

June 2026 (TBA)

Malta’s open-air eco-music gathering with multiple stages — arts, workshops and sustainability at the core.

Laid-back daytime vibes turn into dancing under the stars.

Abode on the Rock (Gozo)

June 2026 (TBA)

London promoters take over Gozo with an island-style electronic weekender.

Beach, boat and cliff-edge sunsets — then dance into the small hours.

Malta International Arts Festival

12 – 21 June 2026

A leading arts event featuring theatre, dance, music, installations and workshops staged in Valletta’s iconic venues.

Ideal for visitors who want to immerse themselves in creativity.

L'Imnarja Summer Folk Festival

28 – 29 June 2026

Ancient feast of light set in Buskett Gardens. Families picnic under trees, folk musicians play, and traditional rabbit dishes flow.

Rooted in solstice bonfires and rural celebration.

Malta Jazz Festival

6 – 11 July 2026

International artists deliver Mediterranean nights of jazz under Valletta’s bastions. Smooth standards meet daring improvisation.

Atmospheric, intimate and impeccably curated — a jewel in Malta’s cultural crown.

Malta Music Week

July 2026 (TBA)

Parties across multiple venues marking the end of the school year and the true start of summer.

Look out for radio tie-ins and guest headliners through the week.

Isle of MTV Malta Special

July 2026 (TBA)

Massive open-air show (free) drawing 50,000+ to see global stars perform in Malta.

Arrive early, stay hydrated, and plan your route home — it’s huge.

Rock the South

Mid–July 2026 (TBA)

Multiple stages at Zion Reggae Bar with a strong local lineup and international guests.

Independent, energetic and proudly Maltese — a scene-lover’s favourite.

Dance Festival Malta

Late July 2026 (TBA)

Four days of masterclasses, workshops and performances for students and pros, featuring international choreographers.

Celebrates dance as a universal language — expressive, athletic, inspiring.

Delicata Wine Festival

Early August 2026 (TBA)

Upper Barrakka Gardens hosts evenings of Maltese vintages with live music and city views.

Romantic, relaxed and very Valletta — a favourite summer ritual.

Summer Daze Malta

Mid–August 2026 (TBA)

Big-name dance and pop acts land in Malta for beachside and park-stage sets drawing international crowds.

Expect radio anthems, festival energy and sun-drenched evenings.

Glitch Festival

12 – 15 August 2026

House and techno across rooftops, courtyards and open-air stages, with boat parties and secret raves adding to the mythos.

Audiovisual, architectural, unforgettable — one for the true believers.

Eco Market Summer Night (Mellieħa)

August 2026 (TBA)

A warm-weather late-night market on Mellieħa Square with kids’ activities, lectures and workshops around sustainable living.

Browse, learn and snack your way through a balmy, green-minded evening.

Victory Day

8 September 2026

Commemorating the Nativity of Mary, the end of the Great Siege and the 1943 Italian armistice. Festivities span Senglea, Naxxar, Mellieħa and Xagħra, with a traditional rowing regatta in the Grand Harbour.

Patriotic, historic and moving — a day when Malta’s story takes centre stage.

Maltese National Regatta – Victory Day

8 September 2026

Second annual regatta tied to Victory Day celebrations. Crews race traditional boats while crowds cheer from Valletta’s bastions.

Offers incredible photo opportunities and a powerful sense of local pride.

RnB & Slow Jams Malta

9 – 14 September 2026

A multi-night celebration of R&B and slow jams across Malta’s top nightlife venues.

Perfect for visitors wanting a smoother, soulful vibe.

Freedom Street Europe

11 – 14 September 2026

Multi-venue open-air concerts and super club takeovers with international artists.

Combines beach, boat and club events for a comprehensive festival experience.

Independence Day

21 September 2026

Marking Malta’s independence from Britain in 1964, featuring ceremonies, concerts and community activities with flags flying high.

Evening events in Floriana and Valletta bring crowds together.

Malta Gay Pride

September 2026 (TBA)

Pride week brings a rainbow of events across Malta — parades through Valletta, pool and boat parties, street concerts and cultural activities celebrating the LGBTIQ+ community.

Inclusive, vibrant celebration of diversity attracting both locals and international visitors.

Mediterranean Festival (Gozo)

September 2026 (TBA)

Island-wide celebration of Mediterranean culture and history — performances, concerts, exhibitions, tastings and guided tours across Gozo.

A cultural deep-dive where archaeology, music and cuisine meet.

Mdina Classic (Grand Prix)

October 2026 (TBA)

Classic sports cars and modern machines roar through a street circuit below the bastions of Malta’s old capital.

Fans can admire vehicles in the paddocks and soak up the retro racing atmosphere.

Notte Bianca

October 2026 (TBA)

Valletta stays awake as palaces, museums and theatres throw open their doors with free or discounted entry.

Streets fill with art installations, street theatre and live music.

Eco Market Floriana

October 2026 (TBA)

Fronting the Phoenicia Hotel, this eco market highlights sustainable products from small businesses.

Vegan food and beer, live music and hourly free activities create a lively, ethical shopping experience.

Birgu Festival (Birgufest)

October 2026 (TBA)

Thousands of candles light up the fortified city of Birgu, transforming its narrow streets into a glowing labyrinth.

Food stalls, restaurants and live bands add to the magical night-time atmosphere.

Rolex Middle Sea Race

October 2026 (TBA)

From Valletta’s Grand Harbour, around 70 yachts set off on a 606-nautical-mile adventure past Sicily and back.

Spectators line the bastions to watch the start — a tradition since 1978.

Valletta Early Opera Festival

November 2026 (TBA)

Historic operas performed in Valletta’s most iconic venues, highlighting early works and rare gems in intimate settings.

Expect period instruments, authentic staging and ornate architecture as backdrop.

Fairyland – Santa’s City

December 2026 – January 2027

Valletta transforms into a Christmas village complete with ice rink, ferris wheel, festive market and Santa’s House.

From local crafts to seasonal treats, Fairyland brings warmth and wonder to Malta’s winter holidays.

Changing of the Guard

Every last Friday • 2026

At 10:30 AM, a parade begins at St. George’s Square in Valletta as the Armed Forces Band marches to the Grand Master’s Palace.

Traditional, photogenic and quintessentially Maltese.

Saluting Battery

Daily noon salute • 2026

High above the Grand Harbour, soldiers fire historic cannons in a ritual dating back to the Knights of St John.

The thunderous noon salute pairs maritime history with sweeping harbour views.

Village Festivals (Festas)

All year • 2026

Every village honours its patron saint with band marches, fireworks, street food and church processions.

Drop into any festa to experience genuine hospitality and local flavour.

Malta Fashion Week

2026 (TBA)

Runway shows, presentations and parties across photogenic venues in Valletta.

Closes with the Malta Fashion Awards — a red-carpet flourish to the week.

Malta Fashion Awards

TBA 2026

Concluding Malta Fashion Week, these awards celebrate designers, models and creatives pushing the industry forward.

Glamour, performances and red-carpet flair define the night.

Lost & Found Festival

2026 (TBA)

Annie Mac’s festival of boat raves, pool parties and castle takeovers — a high-energy long weekend of DJs and sunshine.

Expect big names, friendly crowds and that unmistakable Malta summer glow.

End of Summer Festival

Sep–Oct 2026 (TBA)

A three-day eco-conscious celebration at Gżira Gardens near Ta’ Xbiex Yacht Marina.

Think family-friendly fun, green initiatives, and a sense of community as the season changes.

Malta International Airshow

Late September 2026 (TBA)

Showcasing aerobatic displays, historic aircraft and modern military planes at Malta International Airport and over Marsamxett Harbour.

Family-friendly, thrilling and visually spectacular.

Battle of Malta Poker Tournament

Late 2026 (TBA)

Europe’s largest mid-stakes poker tournament hosted in Malta, attracting thousands of players from around the world.

High-stakes excitement combined with the island’s nightlife and hospitality.

Three Palaces Festival

Autumn 2026 (TBA)

Concerts in Malta’s historic palaces and cultural landmarks, blending classical, contemporary and experimental music.

Elegant, atmospheric and uniquely Maltese.

Soul Session Malta

2026 (TBA)

A boutique festival focusing on soul, funk and groove-driven music.

Features international and local acts performing in intimate settings and open-air stages.

Dark Malta Festival

Spring 2026 (TBA)

Malta’s festival for the darker side of music and culture. Expect gothic, industrial and metal bands plus alternative fashion and art exhibits.

Ideal for travellers looking for something different from the mainstream festival scene.