Best Festivals and Events in LGBTQ-Friendly Malta

LGBTQ+-friendly Malta has earned quite a reputation amongst queer travelers over the past few years. The people made a concerted effort to welcome us into their country with open arms and it is home to one of the fastest-growing Pride celebrations in Europe. Add to that the fact that Malta boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year, and a remarkable history that dates back over 7,000 years, and I think you have yourself a dream destination to explore.

The islands of Malta promise to be a hot spot this year with a diverse range of concerts and festivals that provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy Malta’s history through music, arts, and culture. Malta’s jam-packed year-long event schedule has something for everyone and will also provide an opportunity for visitors to explore the three sister islands, Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

Carnival in Malta (Il-Karnival ta’ Malta) (February 17 – 21, 2023)

The Il-Karnival ta’ Malta is an annual festival celebrated on Malta’s three sister islands. The five-day event highlights the cultural and religious events that date back over five centuries and it’s jam-packed with activities from morning to night. The festivities include parades on the streets, night parties, magical costumes, and live concerts throughout the islands. Il-Karnival spirit in Malta is a memorable experience for visitors, one not to be missed.

Carne Vale Il Gran Ballo In Maschera (February 18, 2023)

Carne Vale, il Gran Ballo in Maschera is a show celebrating art, culture, seduction, and beauty. Drawing inspiration from Dante’s epic poetry, participants will be seduced by many wonders as they peruse highly stylized renditions of Dante’s Purgatorio, Paradiso, and Inferno. While guests immerse themselves into a magical world of harlequin and minstrel dancers, acrobats, and musicians, a seated four-course lavish dinner is served, with an open bar, and a dress code of Historical or Period costume and mask. The venue itself is the sixteenth-century Sacra Infermeria, known today as the historic Mediterranean Conference Center, located across Valletta’s magnificent Grand Harbour.

MUZIKA MUZIKA (March 23 – 25, 2023)

Festival Kanzunetta Maltija is a prestigious festival produced by Festivals Malta, that brings together different genres of Maltese music in an annual competition. During the Semifinals, there are 2o contestants competing against each other.

The semi-finalists include CODA, Micallef Costa, Michela Galea, Justine Shorfid, Jason Scerri, Josef and Victoria, MARA, Drakard/ Lisa Gauci, Martina Borg, Jasmine, KWINTI, Petra, Raquel, Kelsey Bellante, Jade Vella, Gianluca Bezzina, Miriam Christine Borg, Enya Magri ft. Adrian, Julie Pomorski u Kapitlu Tlettax, Avenue Sky. The event will be held at the reputable MFCC – Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre, Ta’ Qali, Malta.

Easter Celebration (April 7 – 16, 2023)

The Easter Week in Malta celebrated throughout the three islands of Malta, encompasses the sombreness of Good Friday to the Jubilant Easter celebrations. The highlights of Easter week include the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, known as Id-Duluri; Palm Sunday; Maundy Thursday. Maltese and visitors can view the many holy exhibits throughout Malta; Good Friday is observed in all the churches and culminates in Easter Sunday celebrations across Malta and Gozo.

Ritmu Festival (June 9 – 10, 2023)

The Ritmu festival, held at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, in Valletta, can be described as a Mediterranean folk festival bringing together both local and international artists.

Malta International Arts Festival (June 16 – July 2, 2023)

A 15-day festival, the Malta International Arts Festival in Valletta, presents a multidisciplinary arts program embracing music, visual arts, theater, dance, opera, installations, films, community projects, and interactive and participatory events that explore and build upon cultural heritage. Drawing local and international audiences during the height of the Maltese summer, the festival revels in Malta’s unique historical and geographical setting by featuring site-specific productions with performances staged at distinctive locations such as Neolithic temple sites, sites with Baroque architecture and of course the views of Valletta’s stunning Grand Harbour.

Malta Jazz Festival (July 10 – 15, 2023)

Considered by the international jazz community as a ‘true’ jazz festival and a beacon of artistic integrity, the Malta Jazz Festival presents a panorama of jazz music in all its facets. This Jazz Festival stands out as an event that achieves a perfect balance between the savant and more popular elements of jazz.

Dance Festival Malta (July 27 – 30, 2023)

Dance Festival Malta is a multi-disciplinary festival that strives to cultivate a dance environment in Malta. The festival will host a series of workshops, masterclasses, and performances that welcomes international and local artists and choreographers. This unique festival will allow attendees to immerse themselves in the dance culture of Malta. The deadline to submit choreography to perform at the Dance Festival Malta is February 15th, 2023.

EuroPride Valletta 2023 (September 7 – 17, 2023)

EuroPride Valletta 2023 will be held in Valletta, Malta, September 7 – 17, 2023. Valletta is the perfect destination for EuroPride 2023 as its location is situated between Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, giving members of the EMENA (European, Middle East & North Africa) LGBTQ+ community the opportunity to gather and celebrate in a safe environment where people are free to be themselves. Occupying the top spot on the Europe Rainbow Index for seven consecutive years, Malta has also been awarded an outstanding 92% in recognition of the laws, policies, and lifestyles of the LGBTQ+ community out of a total of 49 European Countries. Guests from abroad will find plenty of gay-friendly restaurants, events, cafes, pubs, nightclubs, and boutiques to visit, ensuring all LGBTQ+ travelers will have an amazing time.

Notte Bianca (October 7, 2023)

Notte Bianca is one of Malta’s biggest annual arts and culture festivals. For one special night, every first Saturday of October, the Valletta cityscape lights up with a spectacular celebration of the arts, open to the public free of charge. Local museums, piazzas, state palaces, and churches transform their property into venues to hold live performances and concerts, while other restaurants and cafés extend their hours to serve the festival celebrants.

The Three Palaces Early Opera & Music Festival (November 2023)

The 10-day Three Palaces Festival, which always happens within the first two weeks of November, focuses on the premise that “our ordinary is actually extraordinary”, which comes from the fact that in Malta there are many magnificent buildings that locals and visitors alike pass by every day and barely notice their beauty. The festival showcases emerging talented musicians to perform alongside the finest established artists in Malta, with performances at some of Valletta’s most historic locations.