What’s on in Malta in April 2018
Visiting the islands and want to know what’s happening in Malta and Gozo from April – June? Here are the main events in Malta between April and June 2017.
Exhibition of De Vallette’s Dagger in Malta, National Museum of Archaeology – Valletta, Malta
Saturday 18th March – Sunday 9th July 2017
Organised by Heritage Malta, this greatly anticipated exhibition sees Grand Master Jean de Valette’s dagger back on the island for the very first time since its disappearance in 1798. A gift from King Philip II of Spain in recognition of De Valette’s Great Siege victory, it was seized along with his ceremonial sword and other prized possessions by Napoleon’s troops. Now a permanent exhibit at the Louvre, the dagger has been loaned back to its mother country to be publicly displayed during Malta’s 2017 EU Presidency. Tickets: Adults (18 – 59 years) €5.00; Youths (12 – 17 years), Senior Citizens (60 years & over) & Students: €3.50; Children (6 – 11 years): €2.50.
Holy Week & Easter, Malta & Gozo
Friday 7th April – Sunday 16th April 2017
Recounting the most significant episodes in the life of Christ, these religious events provide some real insight into the faith and traditions of the Maltese that have been handed down for generations. Holy Week is marked by the ceremonies held on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, before finally culminating in the Easter Sunday celebrations. The Good Friday procession commemorates the Passion of the Christ with a series of statues being carried by pallbearers. Parishioners dressed as biblical figures and Roman soldiers move through the solemn pageant to the ominous sound of the band’s funeral marches. Devout individuals wear white robes and cover their faces with a pointed hood as they carry a cross and drag long, heavy chains tied to their bare feet in an act of penance. On Easter Sunday, the mood is immediately lifted as parishes all over the islands celebrate the resurrection with the triumphal statue of the Risen Christ borne through the streets. Free events.
Lost & Found Festival, Various venues around Malta
Thursday 13th April – Sunday 16th April 2017
Held over a long weekend and reputed to attract ‘the best audience ever, the best vibe’, the third edition of the Lost & Found Festival will be headed by the UK’s legendary dance DJ Annie Mac. Featuring a number of poolside stage line-ups, boat parties and all-night castle raves, this festival is hugely attended by followers of the partying scene from all over the world. Tickets from £85.
Valletta Green Festival, St George’s Square – Valletta, Malta
Tuesday 25th April – Sunday 30th April
For three whole days, an intricately beautiful floral carpet known as infjorata covers Pjazza San Ġorġ – one of the largest open spaces in Valletta. ‘Woven’ from around 80,000 seasonal flowering plants, this main highlight of the Valletta Green Festival will be accompanied by a varied programme of educational workshops, information sessions, music and entertainment aimed at exploring environmental sustainability from different angles. Free event.
11th Mechanised Ground Firework Festival, The Granaries – Floriana, Malta
Saturday 29th April, 10pm
A main feature of the Maltese village festa, the popular pyrotechnic tradition of ground fireworks receives the full limelight during this one-night visual pectacle. Malta’s top pyrotechnic companies compete against each other,
this year producing no fewer than 32 mechanised fireworks which will unfold into a vivid display of colour and precision. The event is being organised by the Floriana Local Council and will take place on St Publius’ Square, more
commonly known as the Granaries. Free event.
Medieval Mdina festival, Mdina, Malta
Saturday 29th April – Sunday 30th April, 10am – 10pm
Over two days of re-enactments and pageantry, the old capital Mdina harks back to Malta’s late medieval period. Organised by the Mdina Local Council, the festival has become an annual event during which the silent city’s streets and squares relive scenes from its medieval past. Every year, the town crier makes an appearance, while a slave market, medieval kitchen and tavern are set up. Sword fighting, battles, archery, falconry and flag-throwing displays also take place on both days. Free event.
- Holy Week & Easter, Malta & Gozo
- Lost & Found Festival, Various venues around Malta
- Valletta Green Festival
- Isle of MTV
- and many more…
Exhibition of De Vallette’s Dagger in Malta, National Museum of Archaeology – Valletta, Malta
Saturday 18th March – Sunday 9th July 2017
Organised by Heritage Malta, this greatly anticipated exhibition sees Grand Master Jean de Valette’s dagger back on the island for the very first time since its disappearance in 1798. A gift from King Philip II of Spain in recognition of De Valette’s Great Siege victory, it was seized along with his ceremonial sword and other prized possessions by Napoleon’s troops. Now a permanent exhibit at the Louvre, the dagger has been loaned back to its mother country to be publicly displayed during Malta’s 2017 EU Presidency. Tickets: Adults (18 – 59 years) €5.00; Youths (12 – 17 years), Senior Citizens (60 years & over) & Students: €3.50; Children (6 – 11 years): €2.50.
Holy Week & Easter, Malta & Gozo
Friday 7th April – Sunday 16th April 2017
Recounting the most significant episodes in the life of Christ, these religious events provide some real insight into the faith and traditions of the Maltese that have been handed down for generations. Holy Week is marked by the ceremonies held on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, before finally culminating in the Easter Sunday celebrations. The Good Friday procession commemorates the Passion of the Christ with a series of statues being carried by pallbearers. Parishioners dressed as biblical figures and Roman soldiers move through the solemn pageant to the ominous sound of the band’s funeral marches. Devout individuals wear white robes and cover their faces with a pointed hood as they carry a cross and drag long, heavy chains tied to their bare feet in an act of penance. On Easter Sunday, the mood is immediately lifted as parishes all over the islands celebrate the resurrection with the triumphal statue of the Risen Christ borne through the streets. Free events.
Lost & Found Festival, Various venues around Malta
Thursday 13th April – Sunday 16th April 2017
Held over a long weekend and reputed to attract ‘the best audience ever, the best vibe’, the third edition of the Lost & Found Festival will be headed by the UK’s legendary dance DJ Annie Mac. Featuring a number of poolside stage line-ups, boat parties and all-night castle raves, this festival is hugely attended by followers of the partying scene from all over the world. Tickets from £85.
Valletta Green Festival, St George’s Square – Valletta, Malta
Tuesday 25th April – Sunday 30th April
For three whole days, an intricately beautiful floral carpet known as infjorata covers Pjazza San Ġorġ – one of the largest open spaces in Valletta. ‘Woven’ from around 80,000 seasonal flowering plants, this main highlight of the Valletta Green Festival will be accompanied by a varied programme of educational workshops, information sessions, music and entertainment aimed at exploring environmental sustainability from different angles. Free event.
11th Mechanised Ground Firework Festival, The Granaries – Floriana, Malta
Saturday 29th April, 10pm
A main feature of the Maltese village festa, the popular pyrotechnic tradition of ground fireworks receives the full limelight during this one-night visual pectacle. Malta’s top pyrotechnic companies compete against each other,
this year producing no fewer than 32 mechanised fireworks which will unfold into a vivid display of colour and precision. The event is being organised by the Floriana Local Council and will take place on St Publius’ Square, more
commonly known as the Granaries. Free event.
Medieval Mdina festival, Mdina, Malta
Saturday 29th April – Sunday 30th April, 10am – 10pm
Over two days of re-enactments and pageantry, the old capital Mdina harks back to Malta’s late medieval period. Organised by the Mdina Local Council, the festival has become an annual event during which the silent city’s streets and squares relive scenes from its medieval past. Every year, the town crier makes an appearance, while a slave market, medieval kitchen and tavern are set up. Sword fighting, battles, archery, falconry and flag-throwing displays also take place on both days. Free event.