Valletta Grand Harbour fortifications by the sea
Malta guide

Things to do in Sliema & St Julian's 2026

Sliema and St Julian's form Malta's modern seafront strip — the island's main hub for shopping, waterfront dining and nightlife, directly across Marsamxett Harbour from Valletta. St Julian's Paceville district is the centre of Malta's club scene; Sliema is the promenade, ferries and café culture.

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Quick answer

The 2026 calendar mixes nightlife and culture: the Malta Rumble music event in St Julian's, the island-wide Science in the City festival, the TechTok conference, the Ignis et Lux waterfront event and a run of traditional village festas — Stella Maris and Balluta in Sliema, plus the feasts of St Gregory and St Francis.

Below are the upcoming 2026 events we track for Sliema and St Julian's, sorted by date. Confirm times and ticketing on the official organiser page before you travel.

What's on in Sliema & St Julian's 2026

  • Malta Rumble 2026 (27 Jun) — music event in St Julian's.
  • Feast of Stella Maris, Sliema (from late Jul) — the seafront town's headline village festa.
  • Science in the City Festival (24 Sep) — Malta's European Researchers' Night, partly on the Sliema front.
  • TechTok 2026 (16 Sep) — technology conference in St Julian's.
  • Feasts of St Gregory and St Francis, Sliema (autumn) — traditional banda festas.

Why stay in Sliema or St Julian's

This is where most visitors base themselves: the widest choice of hotels, the Sliema–Valletta ferry (a 10-minute hop across the harbour), the promenade walk from Sliema to St Julian's, and Paceville's concentration of bars and clubs. It is lively, walkable and connected by frequent buses to the rest of the island.

By day the seafront is for swimming off the rocks, harbour cruises and shopping; by night St Julian's and Paceville run late. Village festas through the summer add brass bands, fireworks and street food to the calendar.

FAQ

What is there to do in Sliema and St Julian's in 2026?
The 2026 events include the Malta Rumble music event, TechTok, the Science in the City festival and traditional festas (Stella Maris, St Gregory, St Francis). Year-round: the Sliema promenade, Paceville nightlife, harbour cruises and the Valletta ferry.
Where is the best nightlife in Malta?
St Julian's — specifically the Paceville district — is the centre of Malta's nightlife, with the highest concentration of bars and clubs. Neighbouring Sliema is quieter, with seafront bars and restaurants.
How do I get from Sliema to Valletta?
The Sliema–Valletta ferry crosses Marsamxett Harbour in about 10 minutes and is the quickest, most scenic route. Buses also connect the two, but the ferry avoids traffic.

Upcoming events

Open-air concert crowd on a lawn facing a stage in the afternoon — AI-generated illustration

The Teatru Salesjan Rock Series 2026

Opera house staircase and chandeliers with elegantly dressed figures — AI-generated illustration

The Panto of the Opera

Teatru Salesjan

From €27

Fredu l-Fra – Kummiedja Teatrali

G.F. Abela Junior College, Msida

From €20

Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Sir Temi Zammit Hall, University of Malta, Msida

From €35

Drummer and bassist performing under green stage light — AI-generated illustration

La Traviata – D'Opéra Malta: Paris Concert Edition

Teatru Salesjan

From €6

Festival tent crowd seen from behind with arms raised toward a distant lit stage and band under a canvas roof — AI-generated illustration

JazzKlabb #13 – Cutajar / Bezzina / D'Ugo / Briffa Quartet

Teatru Salesjan

From €21

Feast of St John of the Cross

GreenBiz Awards 2026

Acoustic guitarist playing to a small audience in a cafe — AI-generated illustration

TS Rock Series 2026 – November concert

Teatru Salesjan

From €6

Brass band in a park bandstand seen from behind on a sunny afternoon — AI-generated illustration

JazzKlabb #14 – Galea, D'Ugo, Debono Trio with Egle Lape

Teatru Salesjan

From €21

Singer seen from behind at a microphone on a lit stage in a gilded historic theatre with the audience in the foreground — AI-generated illustration

La Bohème – D'Opéra Malta: Paris Concert Edition

Teatru Salesjan

From €6

Pinokkju – Il-Pantomima

G.F. Abela Junior College, Msida

From €25

What's on near you

Cities with upcoming events

Sources