Tag: Festival

Things to Do in Malta This October 2026
October is one of the busiest months of the year in Malta, with warm evenings, big festivals and an international line-up of music, sport and culture. Here’s everything worth knowing about, week by week, with dates, prices and where to get tickets.

Early October (1-4 October)
- Malta v Gibraltar and Malta v Andorra: UEFA Nations League at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali, on Thursday 1 October (20:45) and Sunday 4 October (18:00). Tickets from €8: Malta v Gibraltar · Malta v Andorra · our guide.
- Malta Classic & Mdina Grand Prix: historic cars racing beneath Mdina’s walls, 1-4 October, with the Grand Prix on 3-4 October. Tickets from €15.75 · our guide.
- Notte Bianca: Saturday 3 October. Valletta’s free all-night arts festival celebrates its 20th edition with more than 50 projects across the city, closing with a Malta Philharmonic Orchestra concert in St George’s Square. Valletta closes to traffic from 16:30.
- Boozy Bingo: Golden Oldies: Sunday afternoons at Gianpula from 4 October. Tickets €21.40.
Mid October (8-18 October)
- BLAST Slam VIII: the world’s best Dota 2 teams battle for $750,000 at BLAST Arena Studios Malta, 8-11 October. Day tickets from €10.80 · our guide.
- VBET Malta Premier League: the league returns after the international break, 9-14 October, including Birkirkara v Valletta at Ta’ Qali on 10 October. Adult tickets €10 · fixtures and tickets.
- Malta Comic Con 2026: comics, cosplay and gaming at the MFCC, 10-11 October. Early bird from €16.20, children 10 and under free · our guide.
- Dash Berlin at UNO Malta: Saturday 17 October, 22:00-04:00. Tickets from €21.20 · our guide.
- Rolex Middle Sea Race: the 47th edition of the 606-nautical-mile offshore classic starts from the Grand Harbour on Saturday 17 October. Watching from the bastions of Valletta and Birgu is free.
- Opera in Gozo: La Traviata at the Aurora Theatre, Victoria, on 17 October (19:30), in the theatre’s 50th anniversary year; tickets through the theatre.
Late October (23-31 October)
- Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026: Malta hosts Europe’s young singers at the MFCC: Jury Final on 23 October, live Final on 24 October. Tickets from €16.20 · our guide.
- Pro Wrestling Malta: Fall Brawl: Saturday 24 October at Montekristo Estate. Tickets from €8.64 · our guide.
- DJ Sue’s Disco Fever: 60s, 70s and 80s classics at Tigullio, St Julian’s, on Saturday 24 October. Early bird from €10.80.
- Three Palaces Festival: classical, contemporary and experimental music in historic palaces around Malta, 28 October to 1 November.
- Madama Butterfly: at the Astra Theatre, Victoria, Gozo, on 29 and 31 October (19:30); tickets through the theatre.
- Boozy Bingo Halloween Special: Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November at Gianpula; dress code Heroes & Villains. Tickets €21.40 · our guide.
FAQ

What’s on in Malta in October 2026?

Highlights include Notte Bianca (3 October), BLAST Slam VIII (8-11 October), Malta Comic Con (10-11 October), the Rolex Middle Sea Race start (17 October) and the Junior Eurovision Song Contest (23-24 October).

When is Notte Bianca 2026?

Saturday 3 October 2026, across Valletta. It’s free to attend.

Where can I watch the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race?

From the bastions around the Grand Harbour in Valletta and Birgu, on Saturday 17 October 2026, and it is free of charge.

Which October events are free?

Notte Bianca, watching the Rolex Middle Sea Race start, and the Malta Classic Hill Climb and Style & Elegance events are all free.
September 30, 2026
Notte Bianca 2026: Valletta’s All-Night Arts Festival Turns 20
Valletta’s biggest night of culture is back. Notte Bianca celebrates its 20th edition on Saturday 3 October 2026, turning the capital into one open-air arts venue from the evening into the early hours. It’s organised by Festivals Malta.

What’s on

This year’s programme brings more than 50 multidisciplinary projects across the city, and more than 70% of them are brand new, created specifically for Notte Bianca. The festival is spread across four main areas:
- City Entrance
- Castille Area: around the Auberge de Castille
- Hastings Area
- St George’s Area
The closing concert

The highlight of the night is in St George’s Square: Minn Malta, a concert by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra celebrating Maltese music.

Getting there and home
- Valletta closes to vehicles from 16:30. Residents can get in by showing their ID card.
- Valletta Ferry services to the Three Cities and Sliema run until 02:00.
- Gozo Fast Ferry final departures: 01:30 from Mġarr and 01:45 from Valletta.
- Plan ahead and use public transport wherever you can.
Tips

Wear comfortable shoes (you’ll cover a lot of Valletta on foot) and pick a few projects in each area rather than trying to see everything. Head to St George’s Square in good time for the closing concert.

More in October

Notte Bianca kicks off a packed month: see things to do in Malta this October, from Comic Con to Junior Eurovision.

FAQ

When is Notte Bianca 2026?

Saturday 3 October 2026, from the evening into the early hours, across Valletta.

Where is the closing concert?

In St George’s Square, with Minn Malta by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

Is Valletta closed to cars during Notte Bianca?

Yes, from 16:30. Residents can enter by showing their ID card; everyone else is encouraged to use public transport.

Are there late ferries after Notte Bianca?

Yes, Valletta Ferry runs to the Three Cities and Sliema until 02:00, and the Gozo Fast Ferry’s last departure from Valletta is at 01:45.

Cover photo: Auberge de Castille during Notte Bianca 2025 by Continentaleurope, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
September 30, 2026
Malta Events in November 2026: Metal, Gaming, Comedy and More
November in Malta brings some of the year’s biggest indoor events: three nights of metal, a free gaming festival, the island’s largest book fair and plenty of Sunday afternoon fun. Here’s what’s on, with dates and tickets.

Music
- Malta Metal Weekend: 13-15 November at Eden Arena, InterContinental Malta, St Julian’s: Kreator and Paradise Lost (Friday), Doro, Dirkschneider and Candlemass (Saturday), Europe and Vandenberg (Sunday). Day tickets €81, 3-day €216 · our guide.
- An Afternoon with Nicko McBrain: Iron Maiden’s longtime drummer in conversation on Sunday 15 November at 15:00, part of Malta Metal Weekend.
- The Return of the Legends: Jaycee & Terra: old-school favourites reunite at Westend Terrace, Xewkija, Gozo, on Saturday 14 November, in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Free Entry Invite.
Gaming
- PLAYCON 2026: Malta’s gaming and esports festival returns to the MFCC, 19-22 November, with free entry on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November and a Friday-evening Mythic Pass from €10.80. Get your ticket · our guide.
- PLAYCON Summit 2026: the industry side of PLAYCON for gaming professionals, 18-19 November. Summit tickets.
Comedy
- Max Amini Live in Malta: the comedy star plays the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, with four shows on 21 and 22 November. All four are sold out.
Culture and sport
- Malta Book Festival: the 47th edition, 4-8 November at the MFCC, Ta’ Qali: author talks, workshops and family events. Free entry.
- Malta Open & Malta Masters darts: a World Darts Federation ranking event in Tarxien, 6-8 November, with men’s, women’s and youth competitions.
- Żurrieq Half Marathon & 10K: Sunday 15 November, starting and finishing in Żurrieq’s main square; registration closes on 1 November.
Sunday afternoons: Boozy Bingo

The Halloween Special closes on Sunday 1 November, Golden Oldies returns on 8 November, and the Pyjama Drama shows run on 15, 22 and 29 November at Gianpula. Standing tickets €21.40 · all the dates.

FAQ

What’s on in Malta in November 2026?

Malta Metal Weekend (13-15 November), PLAYCON (19-22 November), the Malta Book Festival (4-8 November), Max Amini (21-22 November, sold out) and the Żurrieq Half Marathon (15 November) are among the highlights.

Is PLAYCON 2026 free?

Yes, weekend entry on 21 and 22 November is free; the Friday Mythic Pass is from €10.80.

When is the Malta Book Festival 2026?

4-8 November 2026 at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali, with free entry.
September 30, 2026
Malta Metal Weekend 2026: Kreator, Doro, Europe and More in St Julian’s
After a first edition in July 2025 headlined by Dream Theater and Opeth, Malta Metal Weekend is back for three nights, 13-15 November 2026, at Eden Arena within the InterContinental Malta in St George’s Bay, St Julian’s. Doors open at 17:00 each day.

The line-up, day by day

Friday 13 November

Kreator: German thrash legends from Essen, formed in 1982 and one of the “Big Four” of Teutonic thrash, plus Paradise Lost, the Halifax band whose 1991 album Gothic helped invent gothic metal. With Omnium Gatherum and Angelcrypt.

Saturday 14 November

Doro, the “Metal Queen” and former Warlock singer; Dirkschneider, Accept co-founder Udo Dirkschneider playing Accept’s 1983 album Balls to the Wall in full; and Swedish epic doom masters Candlemass. With Anvil and Anchorite.

Sunday 15 November

Europe (yes, the “The Final Countdown” band) on their 40th anniversary tour, and Vandenberg: former Whitesnake guitarist Adrian Vandenberg revisiting his Whitesnake years, with Mats Levén on vocals. Plus Gus G with Ronnie Romero, and Atomic Flame.

An Afternoon with Nicko McBrain

On Sunday 15 November at 15:00, Iron Maiden’s longtime drummer Nicko McBrain, who played his final Maiden show in December 2024, hosts a spoken-word afternoon in the InterContinental’s CDC Hall.

Tickets
- Day ticket (Friday, Saturday or Sunday): €81
- 3-Day Block ticket: €216
- An Afternoon with Nicko McBrain: €38.50
- Holiday packages (3 nights + 3-day ticket): from €486 at Holiday Inn Express, or €648 at the InterContinental or voco
Accessibility tickets are available for every option. Prices include the booking fee.

FAQ

When and where is Malta Metal Weekend 2026?

13-15 November 2026 at Eden Arena, InterContinental Malta, St George’s Bay, St Julian’s. Doors 17:00 each day.

Who is headlining?

Kreator and Paradise Lost on Friday, Doro, Dirkschneider and Candlemass on Saturday, and Europe and Vandenberg on Sunday.

How much is a weekend ticket?

The 3-Day Block ticket is €216; day tickets are €81, booking fee included.
September 30, 2026