Valletta, Malta
Malta guide

Things to Do in Valletta 2026: Isle of MTV & Malta Jazz

Reviewed by Wanderistan editorial team · Last updated Jul 13, 2026

Valletta is Malta's compact Baroque capital and the island's primary event hub. The city hosts more upcoming events than anywhere else on the island — from the Malta Jazz Festival at the Grand Harbour waterfront to the Eco Festival at the Floriana Granaries and Isle of MTV on the open-air Granaries stage.

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Quick answer

The city's fortified walls, Baroque churches and UNESCO World Heritage status make it an exceptional backdrop for outdoor performances. Most major events take place between June and September, with the Grand Harbour amphitheatre and the open-air squares filling up fast.

Below are upcoming 2026 events we track for Valletta, sorted by date. Confirm times and ticketing on the official organiser page before you travel — schedules can change.

Top Valletta events in summer 2026

  • Isle of MTV Malta 2026 (21 Jul) — free outdoor concert at the Floriana Granaries; the largest free music event in Malta.
  • Malta Jazz Festival (6–11 Jul) — six nights of jazz at the Grand Harbour waterfront and Ta' Liesse, with international soloists and ensembles.
  • Eco Festival 2026 (1 Jul) — sustainability, food and culture at the Valletta bastions.
  • Opera in the Capital 2026 (27 Jun) — classical opera at a Valletta venue.
  • Notte Italiana (6–7 Aug) — Italian music and culture evenings in the capital.

FAQ

What is there to do in Valletta in summer 2026?
The headline events are Isle of MTV (free, July), Malta Jazz Festival (July) and the Eco Festival (July). The historic streets, St John's Co-Cathedral, the Grand Harbour and Upper Barrakka Gardens are all walkable from each other.
Is Isle of MTV in Valletta free?
Yes — Isle of MTV Malta is held at the Floriana Granaries adjacent to Valletta and is free to attend. Crowds are very large so arrive early.

Upcoming events

In Guardia & Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum

In Guardia & Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum

Festival crowd with raised arms in front of bright stage lights — AI-generated illustration

MPO Chamber Concert – Mozart and Louis Ferdinand (October)

Robert Samut Hall, Floriana

From €10

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

Folk underground

San Duminku Church

Guitarist singing in silhouette on a hazy blue and purple lit club stage with crowd hands raised in the foreground — AI-generated illustration

Folk Underground – Echoes of Maltese Songs Beneath the City

Sala San Duminku

From €15

The Villain Academy – Halloween at Esplora

Esplora Interactive Science Centre, Kalkara

Free entry

Cagliostro & the Pirate Queen. The Secret Story of Malta

Concert crowd with raised hands in the stage lights — AI-generated illustration

Iljieli fit-Teatru Beatfest - Chamber Conversations

Solo pianist at a grand piano under a spotlight in a concert hall — AI-generated illustration

Classical Guitar Favourites – Lunchtime Recital

Our Lady of Victories Chapel

From €13

The Rocky Horror Show

Visitors at an art gallery opening with wine glasses — AI-generated illustration

Outdoors – Debbie Bonello landscape exhibition

Palm Court Lounge, The Phoenicia Malta, Floriana

People in winter coats climbing snowy steps to a lamp-lit theatre entrance — AI-generated illustration

TMYT: Għadna Żgħar (Manoel Youth Theatre)

Teatru Manoel

Little Shop of Horrors

Teatru Manoel

Salomé by Oscar Wilde

Teatru Manoel

CLUB BOP! – TOI TOI family dance party

Teatru Manoel Studio Theatre

Live band on stage with confetti and warm lights over the crowd — AI-generated illustration

'Too Soon To Tell' – album launch concert (Andrew Vella Zarb)

Malta Society of Arts

From €20

Iljieli fit-Teatru Beatfest - Folk Rock Night

Winter open-air concert crowd with visible breath under stage lights — AI-generated illustration

Richard Strauss' Salomé (opera)

Teatru Manoel

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

Naples: Voice, Music & Soul – Balletto di Milano

Mediterranean Conference Centre

From €49

Orchestra on a tiny lit stage seen from the back of a steep balcony — AI-generated illustration

Bruckner's 7th – Malta Philharmonic Orchestra

St Paul's Cathedral

From €12

KWARTETT – Erba' Drammi Qosra ta' Stefan Galea Debono

Sala Dumnikana, Birgu

From €16

Jazz trio playing in a garden for an audience on picnic blankets — AI-generated illustration

Variations – Bach in jazz, swing and stride piano

Teatru Manoel

Aerial view of a packed old-town piazza with white market tents, tiled roofs and shady trees in late sun — AI-generated illustration

Antiphonarium – Festa Antiphons Festival

Parish Church of Saint Catherine, Żejtun

TODDLER BOP! – TOI TOI

Teatru Manoel Studio Theatre

Maritime World Malta 2026

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

Iljieli fit-Teatru Beatfest - Chamber Dialogues

Children and parents watch from behind as a small lit puppet theatre with three puppets performs on a cobbled street at night. — AI-generated illustration

The Great Little Panto Show

Teatru Manoel Studio Theatre

Open-air cinema screen glowing at dusk with deckchairs on the grass — AI-generated illustration

64th. Golden Knight Malta International Film Festival 2026

Band playing to a crowd in a brick-walled club — AI-generated illustration

MPO Chamber Concert – flute, percussion and piano (November)

Robert Samut Hall, Floriana

From €10

Festival campsite at dawn with tents, mist and a distant stage — AI-generated illustration

MYO Christmas Concert

St Paul's Cathedral

From €9

Folk dance group in traditional costume seen from behind in a village square — AI-generated illustration

The Nutcracker – Moveo Dance

Teatru Manoel

Saxophonist in a spotlight in a brick-arched jazz cellar with candlelit tables and listeners — AI-generated illustration

Iljieli fit-Teatru Beatfest - Lejla Rock

TOI TOI Baby Series – Jingle

Teatru Manoel Studio Theatre

YULETIDE BOP!

Teatru Manoel Studio Theatre

Guitarist seen from behind at a rooftop acoustic gig at golden hour — AI-generated illustration

Jiddu l-Kwiekeb 2026 – Kumpanija Teatru Rjal

Mediterranean Conference Centre

From €30

People sitting on a grassy hill watching an open-air concert — AI-generated illustration

Iljieli fit-Teatru Beatfest - Beethoven and Mendelssohn

Bella u l-Bestja

Mediterranean Conference Centre

From €25

What's on near you

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Cities with upcoming events

Artists on the lineup

Sources