Events and Life in Malta

Events in Malta & Gozo in December 2017

APS Mdina Cathedral Contemporary Art Biennale Now – Sunday 7th January 2018

This exhibition is a large scale contemporary art exhibition held in Mdina cathedral consisting of contemporary art and site-specific installations by 25 local and international artists. The theme is: The Mediterranean: A Sea of Conflicting Spiritualities.

The Malta lnternational Organ Festival – Now – Sunday 7th January 2018

Concerts by world renowned musicians. 2nd Dec - Solo Organ Concert - St. Augustine Parish Church , Valletta - 20.00 (Free). 3rd Dec - St.Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral, Valletta - 17.00 (€10). 4th Dec - St Mary's Parish Church (Rotunda), Mosta - 19.15 (Free). 5th Dec - Our Lady of Victories Church, Valletta - 19.00 (€20). 6th Dec - Annunciation Parish Church, Balzan - 19.15 (Free). 7th Dec - St. Augustine Parish Church, Valletta - 20.00 (€15)

Pjazza Tigné's Annual Christmas Market

Pjazza Tigné’s annual Christmas market returns this year from the 1st until the 31st December 2017.  (entrance free)

Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem

A live crib in Ghajnsielem with live animals and people. (entrance free)

Events in Malta & Gozo in January 2018

Valletta New Year's Eve - 31st Dec

Valletta Europe's capital of culture 2018 - fireworks, street artists, aerial performers and much more (entrance free)

In Guardia Parade - 7th Jan 11.00 to 11.40

A re-enactment portraying about 50 re-enactors performing miliary drill and the inspection of the fort and its garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of St. John in charge of military affairs.

Valletta International Baroque Festival - 13th Jan - 27th Jan

Held in Teatru Manoel, this prestigious two-week festival is also held in St. John's Co-Cathedral and the Grandmaster's Palace.

Valletta European capital of culture 2018 opening ceremony - 18th Jan

Valletta 2018's Opening Week will consist of street artists, exhibitions set in diverse venues around the city, open days that re-discover Valletta's fascinating historical spaces, community storytelling events centred around the city's residents and the spaces they use. At the centre of Valletta 2018's grand festa is dance, music,outdoor acrobatics, digital projections, video art, choral symphony and revelry that fill Valletta's four main squares – St George's Square, St John's Square, Castille Square, and the area around the Triton Fountain.

Events in Malta & Gozo in February 2018

The Other Europeans at St Agatha's Auditorum - 3rd February

Fourteen leading klezmer (Yiddish) and lautari (Roma) musicians, unite to lead a multi-cultural experience creating powerful, deeply emotional music.

Carnival in Valletta 9th February - 13th February

The Maltese carnival dates back to the rule of the Knights of the Order of Saint John (Carne valle). For four days Valletta's historical streets come to life with marching bands, carnival floats, fancy dress competitions and dancers in elaborate costume.

Malta International Violin making Competition 9th February - 14th February 07:00 - 23:30 held in Mdina and St. Julian's

Central Academy of Arts in collaboration with Violin Limited Company will be organising the Malta International Violin Making Competition between Friday, 9th February and Wednesday, 14th February 2018, featuring professional and amateur violin makers from around the world. Phone Academy of Arts on 356 99097717 or send an email to central-academy@email.com.

Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck. Public Holiday and Religious Feast - 10th February - Valletta

On his way to Rome St Paul was shipwrecked in Malta. He converted the Maltese to Christianity. Religious ceremonies/festivities are held in and around St Paul's Shipwreck Parish, Valletta.

Events in Malta & Gozo in March 2018

Feast of St Joseph - Public Holiday - 19th March

The actual feast, which takes place in the village of Rabat (Malta), may be held on a different date, depending on the timing of Lent/Good Friday.

Holy Week and Easter. Commemorating Christ's Passion & Resurrection - 26th March - 1st April

Holy week starts on Palm Sunday, one week before Easter. On Thursday evening and Friday morning, churches have their paintings draped over in purple or black velvet. The Maltese traditionally visit and pray in seven different churches.On Good Friday, late afternoon, about 17 different towns and villages commemorate the Passion of Christ with very solemn processions of statues and villagers dressed in biblical costumes who walk after the statues. Each statue represents a particular episode in the Passion of Christ and is carried by pallbearers. Many processions include men in penitence bearing a cross and sometimes dragging chains as well tied to their bare feet as penitence.