Top Malta Festivals You Should Not Miss

One of the best aspects about a Mediterranean climate is the endless opportunity to enjoy outdoor events. And Malta takes full advantage of this with a cultural calendar that’s packed year-round. There’s practically something exciting to look forward to every month!

Every year, Malta adds new concerts and festivals to its lineup, catering to all tastes. Whether you love classical music, jazz, pop, rock, EDM, theatre, dance, or visual arts, you’re in for a treat. Get ready to experience some truly amazing festivals during your holiday in Malta.

Here, we’ll walk you through some of the biggest and best annual events that have become highlights of Malta’s cultural scene. While these festivals typically happen around the same time each year, it’s always wise to check with official organisers and promoters for the latest event details and ticketing information.

Classical music enthusiasts will love this magnificent two-week festival, which takes place at the start of January. The Valletta Baroque Festival brings together top soloists and ensembles from around the globe to perform masterpieces by Bach, Vivaldi, and other baroque greats. The extensive program features concerts and performances in some of Valletta’s most stunning baroque venues. It’s a must-see event that celebrates the rich musical heritage and architectural beauty of Malta’s capital. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or new to baroque music, this festival offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of Valletta.

Carnival is a major annual event in Malta, which dates back to the time of the Knights. With nearly a year of preparation leading up to it, the island bursts into a feast of colours, costumes, and excitement. Over Carnival weekend, you’ll see grown-ups and kids alike in magnificent masks and elaborate costumes. Malta’s official Carnival celebrations take place in Valletta, offering plenty of family-friendly entertainment just before Lent. In the capital, giant fluorescent floats inspired by movies, pop stars, local personalities, and more, parade the streets surrounded by troupes of colourful dancers and blasting music. Several parishes around the island also hold their own celebrations. While for a unique twist, head to Nadur in Gozo, where the festivities take on a more grotesque character.

Formerly known as the International Spring Orchestra Festival, this event invites world-class orchestras, musical ensembles, composers, and solo virtuosos to Maltese shores every year. The festival showcases thought-provoking and emotionally rich classical, chamber, and contemporary music, offering a unique celebration that transforms Valletta into an enchanting cultural haven at the turn of the season of renewal.

The Strawberry Festival happens every year during the springtime, usually during the month of April in the northern town of Mgarr and it’s a must-visit! From fresh strawberries to numerous strawberry-inspired desserts and beverages, you’re bound to have the best time with locals and tourists alike. Bop to folk music and live entertainment as you hop from stall to stall and take part in the day’s activities.

The Strawberry Festival happens every year during the springtime, usually during the month of April in the northern town of Mgarr and it’s a must-visit! From fresh strawberries to numerous strawberry-inspired desserts and beverages, you’re bound to have the best time with locals and tourists alike. Bop to folk music and live entertainment as you hop from stall to stall and take part in the day’s activities.

Rock the South is the go-to festival for alternative and indie music. Typically held just before summer at Zion Reggae Bar in Marsascala, this vibrant event showcases a wide array of the island’s top bands, artists, and DJs. It’s a fantastic way to dive into the local alternative scene and discover some of the most exciting artists performing on the island today. If you’re a music lover, this festival is a must on your Malta itinerary.

This fireworks festival usually takes place around April or May, attracting various pyrotechnic companies, both local and international. Each team puts on an impressive show at various locations around the island, ending things at the spectacular Valletta Grand Harbour where one company is crowned as ‘Best Firework Company.’ It’s quite the show, and an unmissable one if you’re travelling to the islands during this time.

Kick off summer in style during the first weekend of June at Ta’ Qali National Park with the Earth Garden Festival. This weekend-long festival offers a camping experience and caters to a wide range of musical tastes. Whether you love World Music, Techno, House, Dub, Drum & Bass, Funk, Ska, Hip-Hop, or Psychedelic Trance, Earth Garden provides an immersive sonic experience. Beyond the music, the festival features daily workshops and enlightening talks in the Healing Fields, an enchanting Ethnic Market, and a Kids’ Fun Park to engage and entertain the youngest festival-goers. Earth Garden truly offers something for everyone.

This festival, running in June and July, showcases talent within the arts field and provides artists, both established and emerging, with a dynamic platform and space to showcase their art and engage with broader audiences. The festival is a plethora of artistic disciplines ranging from dance and theatre productions to digitally animated orchestral performances, art exhibitions and theatre performances. It’s an arts buff’s paradise!

For over a decade, Isle of MTV has been one of the Mediterranean’s biggest music events, drawing top pop stars from around the globe to Malta for a spectacular night. Held at Fosos Square, just outside Valletta, this event grows bigger and better each year. Past performers have included Akon, DNCE, One Republic, Lady Gaga, Jason Derulo, Rita Ora, Jessie J, and Enrique Iglesias. With thousands of fans attending, the energy is electric. This one-night-only concert is an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss. What’s more, it’s an entirely FREE concert! Just remember to pre-book your free tickets through the official Isle of MTV website ahead of the concert to gain entrance.

Malta Music Week unfolds in the build up to the iconic Isle of MTV concert with a week-long celebration of music and nightlife. Beyond the electrifying performances at on the main stage of Isle of MTV, this event offers a line-up of club nights, parties, and live performances around the island, making Malta Music Week an essential part of your summer itinerary.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Grand Harbour, the Malta Jazz Festival is a highlight of Europe’s music calendar, drawing top jazz performers from around the world. The main event spans two nights in the waterfront Ta Liesse, but the week leading up to it also buzzes with fringe events across Valletta. Wander the capital’s streets during the evenings to catch stellar jazz gigs, creating an enchanting atmosphere throughout the city.

The Farsons Beer Festival is a highlight of the Maltese summer, drawing crowds from near and far to Ta’ Qali in July and August. Over a week, the Beer Fest offers something for everyone, from kids’ activities and eclectic food stalls to multiple stages featuring plenty of live performances by local artists. While here, don’t miss the chance to sample the island’s most famous lager, Cisk, while soaking up the lively atmosphere.

This four-day festival brings together dancers and choreographers offering a series of workshops, masterclasses and performances. Audiences can enjoy this unique festival and experience dance through a different lens, inviting you to share in the world of dance passion.

The Delicata Wine Festival is an annual event that takes place at Valletta’s Upper Barrakka Gardens. It’s the perfect opportunity to drink local wine while admiring the impressive panoramic views that the Grand Harbour has to offer. The festival will be buzzing with entertainment by local artists and pop-up food stalls are set up to satisfy those cravings. It’s the perfect summer evening under the stars!

Glitch Festival is a must-attend event for electronic music enthusiasts and party aficionados looking to dance the night away in Malta. Catering to techno lovers eager for a good time, this highly sought-after festival promises an unforgettable experience. Be sure to secure your tickets well in advance to ensure you don’t miss out on this epic annual event!

For one special night every October, Notte Bianca lights up the Valletta cityscape with a spectacular celebration open to the public for free. This spectacular event, open to the public for free, showcases the best of music, dance, theatre, and art exhibitions, along with digital arts displays and immersive light installations. Explore Valletta’s iconic landmarks as state palaces and museums open their doors to all, free of charge. Wander through the charming streets transformed into an open-air theatre, where theatrical performances, concerts, and gigs unfold amidst the bustling atmosphere. With shops, cafés, and restaurants extending their opening hours, Notte Bianca offers a memorable night of cultural immersion and entertainment for all.

Music lovers will delight in this multiday festival happening at the end of October and beginning of November, which sees artists of exceptional talent from around the world perform at Malta’s most exquisite Baroque palaces. From the refined classics to avant-garde jazz, there’ll be concerts for musical tastes of all kinds.

Traditional Maltese festas celebrate the village’s patron saint with extravagantly decorated churches, boisterous marching bands, colourful festooned streets and, of course, masterful firework displays. Festa season officially gathers steam towards June, with weekly feasts happening all around Malta and Gozo. So be sure to check the dates of your holiday to find a festa happening during your summer visit to witness the rich cultural heritage of Malta come to life in these joyous celebrations.