The Malta International Arts Festival (June 13-22)
Enjoy ten days of dynamic and contemporary multidisciplinary events, including dance, music, theatre, and visual art exhibitions. Notable projects in this year’s program include a concert by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, Underground Valletta, M.A.D. – Music and Dance, Music Painted by Caravaggio, and Boċċi the Musical in collaboration with Teatru Malta. This festival leans on heritage as it is staged at heritage sites and dives into cultural legacy.
Mediterranne Film Festival (June 21-29)
Malta’s 3rd annual Mediterranean film festival, will celebrate the incredible 100th Anniversary milestone of Cinema and the Archipelago’s status as an international hub for world-changing film. Malta has been the backdrop for legendary films including Gladiator I & II, Jurassic World, and Assassins Creed. The Festival coined the tagline “WE ARE FILM” for the event, to reflect their unfaltering commitment to the art & endless potential within cinema.
The Malta Jazz Festival (July 9-13)
The Malta Jazz Festival, in its 35th year, will include an eclectic program of events with a notable line-up, including artists such as Michael Mayo, Rebecca Martin, Peter Bernstein, Knower, and many more.
Dance Festival Malta (July 24-27)
Dance Festival Malta, taking place between July 24 and 27, will connect local artists with various European artists by offering them a platform to discuss, share, and enhance their artistic work through masterclasses and specialized workshops. Additionally, the festival offers four days of dance performances that convey diverse messages through beautiful choreographies.
Notte Bianca (October 4)
Exhibitions, theater, comedy—even magic—come to life during Notte Bianca, one of Malta’s biggest celebrations. From the City Gate to Fort St. Elmo, the streets of Valletta come alive with performances by local and international artists, showcasing innovation and craftsmanship in the open-air stage of the capital city.
Birgufest (October 10 – 11)
Birgufest honors the stunning architecture of the fortified city of Birgu, which played a significant part in the Great Siege of 1565. Candlelight will illuminate the walkways, paying homage to the structures that helped protect the Maltese during turbulent times.
46th Annual Rolex Middle Sea Race (October 18-19)
This October, participants worldwide will journey a circular 606-nautical-mile route that starts and finishes in Malta. Organized by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, this annual event brings sailors from the historic Grand Harbour of Valletta across beautiful landscapes and through challenging navigations.
Malta Classic (October 23-26)
In an ode to the craftsmanship of beloved luxury classic automobiles, Malta Classic celebrates the history of innovation and design in a series of events opening with the Malta Classic Hill Climb At Mtaħleb (October 23), followed by Style and Elegance by Mdina Glass (October 24), and the main event, the Mdina Grand Prix fuelled by Enemed (October 25 & 26)
Opera is Gozo (October 24-25)
Opera is Gozo returns to the Maltese island as a beloved celebration of performances deeply rooted in the community, with local talent and volunteers playing a central role in bringing each production to life. As a result, opera in Gozo is not just an event – it’s a vibrant, accessible tradition woven into the island’s cultural identity. The two main Operas presented in October will be La Forza del Destino at Aurora Theater and Puccini’s Tosca at Astra Theater.
October, Malta is the place to be, but no matter when you visit, the year-round calendar of events and festivities brings an endless celebration of Maltese heritage, culture and their unique identity.
Malta
The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere. Valletta, built by the proud Knights of St. John, is one of the UNESCO sites and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 8,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.
For more information on Malta, go to visitmalta.com.
Gozo
Gozo’s colors and flavors are brought out by the radiant skies above it and the blue sea which surrounds its spectacular coast, which is simply waiting to be discovered. Steeped in myth, Gozo is thought to be the legendary Calypso’s Isle of Homer’s Odyssey – a peaceful, mystical backwater. Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses dot the countryside. Gozo’s rugged landscape and spectacular coastline await exploration with some of the Mediterranean’s best dive sites.
For more information on Gozo, go to visitgozo.com.
