The Best Summer Events In Malta

From live music and wine tastings to religious festas and art shows, here’s how to celebrate summer in Malta

Summer in some places means peace and quiet, but not in Malta; when the weather heats up, so does the island’s cultural calendar. From local festivals like Delicata Wine Festival to live music at Malta Music Week and arts at Malta International Arts Festival, there’s plenty to keep visitors entertained on a midsummer’s day. If you’re planning a trip this summer, make sure you take in a few of our favourite seasonal events in Malta.

Malta Music Week

If you agree that nothing quite beats a sunny day listening to live music, then plan your trip around Malta Music Week, one of the biggest annual events in Malta. A celebration of music, the festival hosts a series of concerts and club nights across Malta and Gozo to get music fans warmed up for the highlight show, The Isle of MTV Malta.

L-Imnarja

As well as being a time to celebrate music, wine and the arts, summer is also when locals celebrate their religious heritage with ‘festas’, or feasts. L-Imnarja, dedicated to St Paul and St Peter, is one of the oldest and most unique festas of the year. A huge feast and folk festival at Buskett Gardens attracts people from across the island for a night of feasting and celebration. Taking part in L-Imnarja is an excellent opportunity to experience the rich culture that Malta is famous for.

Malta International Arts Festival

Malta International Arts Festival brings an exciting programme of conceptual art to the archipelago. Festival goers can enjoy performances by a range of renowned local and international artists, spanning genres including dance, theatre, music, poetry and film.

Malta Jazz Festival

Malta Jazz Festival puts the island on the global jazz map. Raising the profile of local musical talents, while at the same time exposing those in Malta to international acts, the festival is one of the most highly anticipated on the cultural calendar. The stunning location at the historical Ta’ Liesse in Valletta is just the icing on the cake.

The Farsons Beer Festival

The Farsons Beer Festival, organised by local brewers Farsons, is a one-stop shop for live music, comedy, food and drink – beer, naturally, being the tipple of choice. Held each July at Ta’ Qali National Park, the festival is a popular summer fixture for locals and visitors alike.

Delicata Wine Festival

Maltese wine is rapidly gathering momentum on the world stage, and Delicata Classic Wine Festival, hosted by local winery Delicata at the beautiful Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, is one of the best places to sample some of the local vintages. The event offers visitors an excellent opportunity to try new, classic and vintage wines, while also enjoying live music.

Summer Daze Malta

Drawing electronic dance music enthusiasts from across the globe to the leafy environs of Ta’Qali National Park, Summer Daze Malta is one of the most anticipated summer events in Malta. Previous headliners include international heavyweight DJs David Guetta, Martin Garrix and Alle Farben, whose skilled beats have never failed to get the party started. 

Malta Pride

Flying the rainbow flag as one of the top European destinations for LGBTQ rights, Malta is the ideal place to celebrate Pride. The archipelago erupts in full colour during Malta Pride Week, with parades and performances, talks, film-screenings and workshops providing plenty to entertain and inspire.

Malta International Food Festival

Positioned in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta is a confluence of culinary influences making this the ultimate foodie destination. During the Malta International Food Festival, the archipelago really comes into its own. International and local chefs descend upon Maltese and Gozitan kitchens to show off their best dishes, with street food, live music and excellent wines to accompany them.