Top Best Festivals happening in Malta
Last Updated: Jan 28, 2024
Reading Time: 11 minutes
By: Shaun
The Maltese are known for their love of celebrations, and the islands host a number of festivals each year that draw visitors from all over the world.
If you’re planning a trip to Malta, check out our guide and see if there is an activity you might not want to miss.
What are the best Music festivals in Malta?
1. Isle of MTV
Isle Of MTV
The Isle of MTV is a yearly music festival that, as the name states, is produced in collaboration with MTV.
The festival is held at the Granaries in Floriana and features performances by some of the biggest stars that grace this popular TV channel. During the last few years, the festival has featured performances by Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta, Jess Glynne, Jason Derulo, Martin Garrix, Rita Ora, Akon, Enrique Iglesias, and Nicole Scherzinger.
The dates and acts for the 2024 edition have not been announced at the time of writing, but expect it to happen in early or mid-summer.
2. The Malta Jazz Festival
Jazz Festival
Changing musical style, an annual event that is highly anticipated every year is the Malta Jazz Festival. The event takes place against the very suggestive backdrop provided by Malta’s capital, Valletta.
Over the years, the festival has seen performances by the likes of John Patitucci, Diana Krall, Dave Weckl, Al Di Meola, Natalie Cole, Mike Stern, Michel Petrucciani, Richard Bona, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, and Mike Stern.
In 2024, the event will be held between July 8 and 13th.
3. Earth Garden
Earth Garden
The Earth Garden is a celebration of environmentalism and sustainability. The festival will be held at Ta’ Qali between June 6 and 9, 2024.
The event has many stages, all focusing on a particular style of music, ranging from Hip-Hop, House, Techno, Psychedelic Trance, and Drum and Bass to Ska, Dub, Funk, Reggae, and World Music.
The Earth Garden is much more than just a music festival, as you can also find an ethnic market, chillout areas, and a fun park for all ages.
4. Glitch Festival
Glitch Festival is a house and techno festival that has established itself as one of the top dance parties of its kind in Europe. The organisers describe the event as a “platform for artists who break boundaries and push the limits of electronic music”.
Glitch Festival’s lineup is always impressive, and over the last few years, it has included performances by some of the best artists in the electronic music genre.
In 2024, the festival will take place between the 13th and 16th of August.
5. Summer Lust 2024
Anastacia Live in Concert in 2015 | Image by Mark Kent on Flickr
The Summer Lust Music Festival returns in 2024 and brings two big names that need no introduction to the Maltese people. On May 17, the festival will welcome the renowned Italian singer-songwriter, Umberto Tozzi. As part of his Gloria Forever tour, Tozzi will for sure entertain the crowds with some of his iconic hits, which include “Gloria,” “Tu,” and “Ti Amo.”.
On Saturday, May 18, the American pop sensation Anastacia, whose recordings have sold over 50 million copies worldwide, will take the stage with an electrifying performance that will include hits like “Left Outside Alone,” “Sick and Tired,” “I’m Outta Love,” and “One Day in Your Life.”
The festival will be held Ħal Għaxaq, a town in the south of Malta.
5. Valletta Baroque Festival
Manoel Theatre | Image by Otter on Wikimedia Commons
Switching styles completely, The Valletta Baroque Festival, held annually in January, honours a wide range of classical music genres. The festival showcases some of the top performers and groups in the baroque music world, performing in venues such as the Manoel Theatre, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Verdala Palace, Naxxar’s Palazzo Parisio, and many churches, some of which date back to the 16th century.
The event debuted in 2013, and it has since evolved to become one of the islands’s largest music events, attracting both local and international crowds.
The 2024 edition will be held between the 11th and 28th of January and will include performances of music by Johann Sebastian Bach and Vivaldi together with more contemporary artists. The full programme and tickets are available at the Festivals Malta website.
The festival offers an incredible opportunity for anybody who appreciates music, history, and culture to witness the majesty and beauty of Valletta’s baroque legacy via the sounds of the world’s top performers.
6. Ritmu Roots Festival
If you are looking for a festival that celebrates the rich and diverse musical heritage of Malta, then you should not miss the Ritmu Roots Festival. This festival, formerly known as Għanafest, is a platform for traditional performing arts that aims to inspire and connect people. It features the musical stylings of instrumentalists from around the Mediterranean, traditional Maltese folk music interwoven into contemporary sound, workshops for children, and more.
The Ritmu Roots Festival is happening between May 24 and 25, 2024, at the scenic Argotti Gardens in Floriana. More details and tickets can be found on the Festivals Malta website.
7. Mużika, Mużika
Another festival that celebrates the rich Maltese culture is Mużika, Mużika. This festival is a celebration of the Maltese language and culture through music, and it aims to showcase the talent and creativity of local artists who compose and perform original songs in Maltese, ranging from ballads, rock, pop, r’n’b, jazz, blues, country, and more. The festival also pays tribute to the legends and pioneers of Maltese music who have left a lasting legacy in the industry.
The festival was launched in 2021 as a revival of the Festival Kanzunetta Maltija, which was held between 1960 and 2001. The festival is organised by Festivals Malta in collaboration with the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government. The festival in 2024 will be held at the Malta Fair and Convention Centre (MFCC) between March 14 and 16.
What are the best Food and Drink festivals in Malta?
8. Malta International Food Festival
The Malta International Food Festival is a celebration of Malta’s food culture and its diverse culinary influences. The festival attracts thousands of visitors from around the world, and it has become one of Malta’s most popular culinary events.
The food is obviously the main attraction at the Malta International Food Festival, and visitors can expect to find a wide range of culinary delights from the islands and around the world. From traditional Maltese dishes to Italian, Asian, and African cuisines, visitors can explore a variety of flavours and textures.
Due to its popularity, the festival was extended by two days for this year’s event, which will be held between the 19th and 25th of July in Valletta. A week later, the festival moves to Gozo, specifically Xewkija, between 5th and 6th August.
9. The Marsovin Summer Wine Festival
Marsovin Summer Wine Festival
The Marsovin Summer Wine Festival is a celebration of Maltese wine hosted by Marsovin, one of Malta’s leading wineries. The festival is held in Valletta at the breathtaking Hastings Garden and features a wide variety of Marsovin wines as well as great food and live music performances by various local and international musicians.
The event usually takes place in July, and your entry ticket (often around €20) includes the entire amount in tokens, which you can then exchange for a taste of wine, food, or even an entire bottle. Included in the ticket is a beautiful wine glass that you may retain as a souvenir.
10. The Delicata Wine Festival
The Grand Harbour from the Upper Barrakka Gardens | Image by Kristina Paukshtite from Pexels
Delicata is another major winery that also organises a celebration for its fantastic produce. The Delicata Wine Festival takes place in the breathtaking Upper Barakka Gardens, which offer spectacular views of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities.
The festival, which marked its 20th anniversary in 2023, takes place in early August, with the Gozo edition taking place in Nadur in early September.
11. The Farsons Beer Festival
Concert at the Farsons Beer Festival
Another event that has become a staple of the Maltese summer is the Farsons Beer Festival. The festival is a celebration of beer, food, and live music organised by the Farsons Brewery. Farsons produces the internationally acclaimed Cisk, Hopleaf, and Blue Label beers, but the festival will always feature a selection of international beers and sometimes special brews created just for the festival.
The festival has become a great opportunity for local artists to showcase their talent, and you can count on experiencing some amazing performances ranging from pop to heavy metal.
The festival is held over 10 days around the end of July, and entrance to the grounds will be free. One can then buy tokens, which they can redeem at the various stalls.
12. The Citrus Festival
Citrus Fruit | Image by Marco Verch Professional Photographer on Flickr
The Malta Community Chest Fund is a local non-profit organisation that, throughout the year, raises funds that are then distributed to persons in need in Maltese society.
This charity is chaired by the President of Malta, who every year opens the gardens of his (or her) official house in the San Anton Palace for this fund-raising event.
The gardens are home to a lot of citrus trees, and the fruits grown on the grounds are sold to raise money. There will also be several more stalls that sell products made from these delicious fruits, some of which are cooked by the president’s own chef.
The festival is held in late January, and during the course of the festival, one can visit the President’s Palace, which is not open to the public on any other days.
13. The Mgarr Strawberry Festival
Strawberries | Image by slgckgc on Flickr
The annual Festa Frawli (Strawberry Festival) brings together local farmers, professional chefs, artists, and musicians in one of the Maltese calendar’s most popular and anticipated gastronomic events.
Strawberry-themed appetisers, pastries, jams, gourmet entrees, and beverages such as strawberry wine will be served at the festival. These goodies are available in a family-friendly setting with plenty of entertainment for people of all ages.
The festival will take place on Sunday, April 16th, in Mgarr, and Heritage Malta will mark the occasion by offering discounted admission to the two megalithic temples of Ta’ Ħaġrat and Skorba, as well as guided tours in Maltese and English throughout the day.
What are some other festivals in Malta worth noting?
14. The Malta International Fireworks Festival
Fireworks In Malta | Image by Meldarion Quesse on Flickr
If you want to see and experience something that the Maltese take a lot of pride in, look no further than the Malta International Fireworks Festival, which will take place in late April.
The festival is hosted at a number of locations throughout the country, including Valletta, Floriana, and the Grand Harbour. Since each location will feature a unique display, it’s recommended you attend several of these events if possible.
Malta has a long tradition of manufacturing fireworks, and this competition provides a platform for local artists to compete with international ones while displaying their work to a wide audience. There will be a variety of fireworks displays, including airborne shells, Roman candles, and ground-based displays.
15. Notte Bianca
Notte Bianca Malta is a cultural event that takes place every year in Valletta and its held in first Saturday of October. During Notte Bianca, the streets and buildings of Valletta come alive with art installations, live performances, concerts, exhibitions, and much more.
Notte Bianca Malta was first held in 2006, and the idea behind the event was to create an event that would bring people together to celebrate the culture and heritage of Malta. Over the years, the event has grown in size and popularity, and it now attracts thousands of visitors every year who take the opportunity to visit the many attractions the city provides that remain open for this special occasion.
16. Dance Festival Malta
The Dance Festival Malta is a journey of discovery and expression through the universal language of dance. The festival offers a variety of opportunities for dance enthusiasts of all levels and backgrounds, from workshops and masterclasses with renowned international artists and choreographers to performances that showcase the diversity and creativity of the local and foreign dance scenes.
The festival will take place between July 25 and 28, 2024, at different venues across Valletta. The festival is also organised by Festivals Malta, in collaboration with the Ministry for National Heritage, which aims to promote the cultural development and exchange of the performing arts in Malta and beyond.
17. Any Village Festa
Mosta Village Feast | Image by StefanM76 on Wikimedia Commons
Attending a village festa is a great way to immerse yourself in Maltese culture. Every town across the Maltese islands has a patron saint, and every summer, the town organises a festa (feast in Maltese to honour its patron saint.
Every week during the summer, a number of communities will organise their festivals, and while the celebrations normally continue for a week, they reach their climax over the weekend.
Throughout the week, the streets and buildings of the town are decorated with banners, lights, and statues of the town’s patron saint. When the festivities reach their peak (usually on Sunday), a procession of the patron saint’s statue will be held through the village streets, which will be accompanied by a brass band playing lively music.
Finally, no Maltese celebration is complete without fireworks, and you will have plenty of opportunities to watch both ground and aerial displays during these festas.
Conclusion
Malta is a small island nation with a big heart, and the festivals that take place throughout the year are a testament to the island’s rich cultural heritage.
Whether you’re a music lover, a foodie, or simply want to experience the local culture, it is almost guaranteed that you will find something to your liking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most highly anticipated festivals in Malta each year?
Some of the most highly anticipated festivals in Malta each year include the Malta International Food Festival, the Isle of MTV, and the Malta Jazz Festival.
Which festivals in Malta have the best food and beverage offerings?
The Delicata or Marsovin Wine Festival together with the Malta International Food Festival are three festivals in Malta that are known for their food and beverage offerings.
What is the atmosphere like at festivals in Malta and how does it differ from other European festivals?
The atmosphere at festivals in Malta is generally festive and lively, with a strong sense of community. Compared to other European festivals, Malta's festivals are known for their intimate and welcoming vibes.
What is the best time of year to attend festivals in Malta?
The best time of year to attend festivals in Malta is generally from spring to early fall, when the weather is warm and sunny.
