Summer is here! Here are 10 events you don't want to miss this Summer 2023
Malta is known for its vibrant cultural scene and hosts numerous events throughout the year, however in summer when Malta is home to more visitors, the weather is warmer, and the days are longer – there are more events organised. Most tourists visit Malta during the summer months, either for a holiday or to study English at one of the many language schools on the islands.
If you are planning to learn English in Malta at ESE this summer, we are providing you with a list of events that you should attend during your study holiday:
- Festi in Malta – every weekend
- Earth Garden – 2nd to 4th June
- A Gift of Glory – until 24th June
- Malta International Arts Festival – 16th to 25th June
- BBC Radio 2 Concert Orchestra – Celebrating 100 Years of Hollywood – 9th July
- World Club Dome Island Edition – 4th to 6th August
- Farsons Beer Festival – 27th July to 5th August
- Delicata Classic Wine Festival – 11th, 12th and 13th August (Valletta), 1st and 2nd September (Gozo)
- Robbie Williams Concert – 24th August
- EuroPride – 7th to 17th September
1. Festi in Malta – every weekend
Where: Across localities in Malta
Each village has its own feast dedicated to its patron saint, and these feasts often take place between June and September.
The main events of each ‘festa’ include religious processions, band marches, firework displays, community gatherings as well as stalls selling traditional and fast food.
Our favourite is the St. Julian’s ‘festa’ which will be held on the 27th of August this year.
2. Earth Garden – 2nd to 4th June
Where: Ta’ Qali National Park
Earth Garden is not just a music festival, but an event that brings the world together – you will find an ethnic market, healing fields, and food stalls with diverse cuisines. It also encourages environmentally friendly waste management by having festival goers use a single cup, recycle their waste, dispose of cigarette butts in separate bins, use biodegradable cleaning products, bring containers from home amongst other things.
3. A Gift Of Glory – until 25th June
Where: St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta
One of Malta’s most iconic churches, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is currently holding a tapestry exhibition, with pieces on display following a long, complicated restoration process taking place over a course of sixteen years at the De Wit Laboratories in Belgium.
First commissioned by Grandmaster Ramon y Perellos in 1697, this set of pieces made of wool and silk depicts the life of Jesus Christ, his twelve apostles as well as the Catholic Church. These were last on display during Pope John Paul II’s visit to Malta in 1990 and carry a lot of religious and historical significance to Malta’s culture, thus, they are indeed a “gift of glory”.
4. Malta International Arts Festival – 16th June to 25th June
Where: Across Malta
The biggest event in Malta’s cultural calendar is the Malta International Arts Festival, which runs for 15 days between June and July. Its diverse arts programme aims to embrace music, visual arts, theatre, dance, opera, art installations films, and other related events which contribute towards Malta’s long cultural heritage.
Performances take place within some of the island’s unique historic settings – from Neolithic temples, to the Grand Harbour, to theatres.
5. BBC Radio 2 Concert Orchestra – Celebrating 100 Years of Hollywood – 9th July
Where: Fosos, Floriana
Following last year’s successful Rock Anthems concert, the BBC Concert Orchestra is back! This time, with a special tribute celebrating 100 years of Hollywood. Be prepared to time-travel with a repertoire of songs which have featured in a multitude of movies released over the past century.
Tickets start from €15 – click here to purchase!
6. World Club Dome Island Edition – 4th to 6th August
Where: Across Malta
The world-famous World Club Dome will come to Malta this August! Festivalgoers will enjoy daytime pool parties at the Bora-Bora Ibiza Hotel, boat parties and DJ sets by world-renowned DJs at Gianpula Village and Café Del Mar. Headliners this year include DJs Boris Brejcha, KSHMR and many more to be announced.
To purchase tickets click here.
7. Farsons Beer Festival – 27th July to 5th August
Where: Ta’ Qali National Park
The Farsons Beer Festival is one of the most exciting summer events, drawing thousands of festival goers every night. Now in its 41st edition, this free outdoor festival combines local music, entertainment for both adults and children, and food at Ta’ Qali National Park’s picnic area.
For updates click here.
8. Delicata Classic Wine Festival – 11th, 12th and 13th August (Valletta), 1st and 2nd September (Gozo)
Where: Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta & Nadur, Gozo
The annual Delicata Classic Wine Festival is Malta’s grandest celebration of its local wine. This event will commemorate its 20th anniversary this year and it will take place at the scenic Upper Barrakka Gardens in the capital city, Valletta as well as in Nadur, Gozo in September. Festivities throughout the evening include live music, food, and of course, wine.
Entrance is free. Priority tickets can be purchased here.
9. Robbie Williams Concert – 24th August
Where: Fosos, Floriana
Described by event organisers greatt as “one of the world’s biggest artists”, English superstar singer Robbie Williams will perform at the Fosos as part of his XXV European Tour, celebrating 25 years of his solo career.
About Robbie Williams
Born Robert Peter Williams in February 1974, he became famous as a member of pop group Take That in the 90s, but it was not until 1996 where he launched his solo career. In December 1997, he released the mega-hit “Angels”, which charted across Europe and Australia, and it is said to be his signature song. Following, he has achieved 7 UK number one singles as well as a Guinness World Record in 2006 for selling 1.6 million tickets in a day, for his Close Encounters tour.
About the concert
There are limited tickets available for General Standing and General seated tickets. Book now to avoid disappointment!
10. EuroPride – 7th to 17th September
Where: Valletta, Malta
Malta is a very LGBTQI+ friendly nation, where same-sex marriage has been legal since September 2017. In fact, the ILGA Europe Rainbow Index has named it the best place in Europe for LGBTQI+ people, which makes it the ideal host city for this year’s EuroPride.
What is EuroPride?
EuroPride is an annual pan-European international LGBTQI+ event, hosted in a different city each year. Host cities are carefully chosen based on established pride events or strong LGBTQI+ communities. The first edition was held in London in 1992, which 100,000 people attended. To date, the biggest EuroPride took place in Rome in 2011, where 1 million people attended events near the Coliseum.
EuroPride Valletta 2023
The main events will take place on Saturday, 16th September – festivities will kick off with a march from 4pm (location TBD), followed by the EuroPride 2023 Concert at the Fosos, headlined by global pop superstar Christina Aguilera, to top them off. Click here to RSVP.
BONUS: Other events this summer!
Malta Jazz Festival – 10th – 15th July
Where: Ta’ Liesse Church and City Theatre, Valletta
The annual Malta Jazz Festival, which has been running since 1991, takes place this July. The main events will take place at the stunning Ta’ Liesse church as well as the City Theatre in Valletta and will host some international world-renowned jazz musicians. These include the New York Blue Note Quintet (11th July), Immanuel Wilkins (14th July), Kurt Elling (15th July), Kurt Rosenwinkel (15th July), Laurent Coq (12th July), and Best New Artist Grammy winner Samara Joy (14th July).
For a full programme and to purchase tickets click here.
Malta International Food Festival – 19th – 25th July
Where: Pjazza Tritoni, Valletta
Malta’s biggest food event will take place on the 19th of July. The Malta International Food Festival is the island’s highest-anticipated gourmet event, which welcomes a multitude of international cuisines by over 100 caterers from all over the world. This year’s edition will be held at the Triton Square in Valletta and will run for a week following last year’s success, which attracted over 48,000 visitors over 5 days.
Entrance is €2, but patrons will benefit from discount vouchers to be redeemed at restaurants across Malta.
Live entertainment will also be provided for both adults and children.
Pinta Beer Festival – 17th – 20th August
Where: Pjazza Tritoni, Valletta
The second edition of the Pinta Beer Festival will be held between the 17th and 20th August at Pjazza Tritoni in Valletta. It celebrates more than 300 different craft beers from both Malta and overseas. Live music by local bands will also be provided every night as well as competitions, games, workshops and other forms of entertainment, making it a memorable experience for the whole family.
This year’s edition will see a new addition to the festival attractions – the Club night area, with each night being of a different theme. There will also be an area dedicated to boxing and other combat sports, where tournaments will be organised by local sports clubs.
Entrance is free.
Andre Rieu live in concert – 1st & 2nd September
Where: Fosos, Floriana
The world-renowned Dutch violinist will perform in Malta for the first time for two nights on the 1st and 2nd of September! Known as the ‘King of Waltz’, him together with the Johann Strauss Orchestra will perform a variety of pieces, from romantic ballads to movie soundtracks to waltzes as well as popular songs.
Limited tickets available here.
NOTE: You may be filmed, photographed of recorded when attending these events. Footage may be used for broadcasting.
Remember to check local event listings, our social media pages and official tourism website closer to your visit to get the most accurate and up-to-date information about specific events and activities happening in Malta during summer 2023.
Click here to book a language course and make the most out of your summer.
Focus on Fluency
Patron saint (noun) – the protecting or guiding saint of a town or place
Parish (noun) — (in the Christian Church) a small administrative district typically having its own church and a priest or pastor
Greased (verb) – smear with grease
Erected (verb) – put together and set upright such as a building or wall
Multi-platinum (adjective) — denoting or relating to a musical recording that has sold more than two million copies
Top off (phrasal verb, informal) – finish something in a memorable way
Goers (plural noun) – a person who attends a special place or event
Ensemble (noun) – a group of musicians who perform together
Renowned (adjective) – known or talked about by many people
Festivalgoers (plural noun) – a person attending a music festival, film festival or any kind of festival.
Author – Sophie Muscat
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