Feb 21
Malta Is the Mediterranean's Epic Travel and Events Destination for 2024
Kelsy Chauvin READ TIME: 5 MIN. SPONSORED
Celebration of Creativity: Malta International Arts Festival (June 14 – 23, 2024)
The Malta International Arts Festival in Valletta spans 15 days, encompassing diverse visual arts, music, theater, dance, opera, installations, films, community projects, and interactive events. Site-specific performances are held in unique locations like Neolithic temple sites, Baroque architectural spaces, and the picturesque views of Valletta's Grand Harbour.
Illumination All Around: International Firework Festival (June 14 – 23, 2024)
Fireworks in Malta are part of a centuries-old tradition, and the Malta International Fireworks Festival brings a weeklong international "pyromusical" competition – matching fireworks to the rhythm of a musical number – to locations around the archipelago.
Starry Night: Ed Sheeran Live in Concert (June 26, 2024)
Global superstar Ed Sheeran will perform in late June in the iconic setting of Ta' Qali National Park in Attard, just 20 minutes outside Valletta.
Gozo
Jubilee for All: Carnival in Gozo (February 9 – 13, 2024)
The Il-Karnival ta' Malta is an unforgettable annual festival celebrated on both Malta and the sister island of Gozo. The five-day celebration highlights the culture and religious events that date back more than five centuries, including parades, parties, magical costumes, and live shows.
Operatic Centennial: La Bohème (April 20, 2024)
For the 100th anniversary of opera composer Giacomo Puccini's death, the Gaulitana: Festival of Music presents La Bohème. The production will feature the Gaulitanus Choir and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of conductor Colin Attard, promising to honor Puccini with a youthful, emotionally raw production unlike any other.
Run On: Gozo Run – Il-Girja t'Ghawdex (April 28, 2024)
The oldest organized running event in the Maltese Islands, Ġirja t'Għawdex, returns in April. Hosted by Run Gozo and dating to 1977, participants can join for the marathon, half-marathon, walkathon, or family 2K fun runs.
Fulfilling a Dream: "Valeriana" at Astra Theatre (May 4, 2024)
He was one of Malta's great composers, and Joseph Vella's passing in 2018 left a void in the local cultural scene that also cut short his work on what was meant to be his magnum opus, the opera Valeriana. Vella's former student Christopher Muscat completed the opera, and he will conduct the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra for this world premiere in May.
LGBTQ+ travelers can learn more about upcoming events at GayMalta.com, GayGuideMalta.com, and at VisitMalta's gay-travel webpage. Plan your visit today with help from Visit Malta's Travel Information resources.
Read more about Malta: The Hidden LGBTQ Gem of the Mediterranean.
Kelsy Chauvin is a writer, photographer and marketing consultant based in Brooklyn, New York. She specializes in travel, feature journalism, art, theater, architecture, construction and LGBTQ interests. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @kelsycc.