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Tag: Valletta

  • Notte Bianca 2026: Valletta’s All-Night Arts Festival Turns 20

    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.

  • Rolex Middle Sea Race 2026: Where to Watch the Start from the Grand Harbour

    Rolex Middle Sea Race 2026: Where to Watch the Start from the Grand Harbour

    One of the most spectacular sights of the Maltese year is free to watch. The 47th Rolex Middle Sea Race starts from the Grand Harbour on Saturday 17 October 2026, with yachts from around the world crossing the start line against the backdrop of Valletta’s UNESCO World Heritage fortifications.

    The race

    Organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, the Rolex Middle Sea Race is a 606-nautical-mile offshore classic. The fleet sails an anti-clockwise loop of the central Mediterranean: from Malta up to Sicily, past the Aeolian Islands (including the active volcano of Stromboli), then the Aegadian Islands, Pantelleria and Lampedusa, before returning to the Maltese islands.

    Where to watch the start

    The whole Grand Harbour becomes a grandstand, and the best views are free:

    • Valletta’s bastions: the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens and the area around the Siege Bell Memorial look straight down onto the start area.
    • Across the harbour: the waterfronts and fortifications of Birgu and Senglea give a view back towards Valletta, with the yachts in between.

    Arrive early to get a good spot along the walls. The classes start in waves, so there’s plenty to see once the first boats are away. Check the official race website for the start schedule on the day.

    Make a day of it

    Saturday 17 October is a big day in Malta: the same evening, trance favourite Dash Berlin plays UNO Malta, and there’s opera at the Aurora Theatre in Gozo. See things to do in Malta this October for the full month.

    FAQ

    When does the 2026 Rolex Middle Sea Race start?

    Saturday 17 October 2026, from the Grand Harbour in Valletta.

    How long is the Rolex Middle Sea Race?

    606 nautical miles, sailed anti-clockwise around Sicily and past the Aeolian and Aegadian Islands, Pantelleria and Lampedusa, back to Malta.

    Is it free to watch the start?

    Yes, the bastions around the Grand Harbour, including the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens, are free to visit.

    Who organises the race?

    The Royal Malta Yacht Club.

    Cover photo: Middle Sea Race at the Grand Harbour by Noport, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

  • Birkirkara v Valletta: Premier League Clash at the National Stadium

    Birkirkara v Valletta: Premier League Clash at the National Stadium

    The VBET Malta Premier League returns from the international break with a heavyweight fixture: Birkirkara FC v Valletta FC at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on Saturday 10 October 2026, kick-off 15:30.

    Two clubs with serious pedigree

    Valletta are among the most successful clubs in Maltese football, with 25 league titles: the most recent in 2018-19. They arrive with silverware already in the cabinet this season, having beaten Floriana 2-0 on 7 September to lift the BOV Super Cup for the 14th time, after winning the FA Trophy last season.

    Birkirkara, “The Stripes”, are four-time champions (2000, 2006, 2010 and 2013) and six-time FA Trophy winners, most recently in 2022-23. They play their home games at Ta’ Qali and are coached by Paul Zammit, appointed in January 2026.

    Form going into the game

    After six rounds, Valletta sit second on 13 points and Birkirkara fourth on 10, so there’s plenty riding on this one near the top of the table. Birkirkara’s season has been mixed, with wins over Gżira United and Ħamrun Spartans and defeats to Mosta and Sliema, but they returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Żabbar St Patrick. When the sides met last season, Valletta won 2-0.

    Tickets

    Tickets for this match are not yet on public sale. The event page shows Tickets Out Soon, so check back for release. Good to know:

    • Children under 16 enter free: their tickets are collected from the ticket booths at the entry gates.
    • Concession tickets are €6, on sale at the ticket booths.

    FAQ

    When is Birkirkara v Valletta?

    Saturday 10 October 2026, kick-off 15:30, at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali.

    Do children need to pay?

    No, children under 16 enter free; collect their tickets at the ticket booths at the gates.

    Where can I buy tickets?

    Follow the Birkirkara v Valletta event page on Eventworks. Tickets will appear there once released.