Hi,
Anjunadeep lands in Malta this Thursday, and it runs all the way through Sunday across three venues - Castello Zamittello, UNO Open Air, and Cafe del Mar. If melodic and progressive electronic music is your thing, this is a serious one to be at. And on Friday night, if you want something completely different, Sarah Bonnici plays a stripped-back piano concert in Valletta with a live video installation alongside her - limited seats, so move fast.
THIS WEEK IN MALTA
- Birgu Fest opens this Friday evening, with candlelit streets, food, crafts and performances spilling across one of Malta's most atmospheric historic towns - and it runs into Saturday night.
- World Mental Health Day falls this Saturday, and the NITKELLEM run at Ta' Qali is the most direct way to mark it locally - 5 km or 10 km, with a wider wellness programme around it. Places are limited.
- October is settling in, which means evenings are cooler and Valletta is quieter - a genuinely good week to walk the city after an event rather than rush home.
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK: MDINA GRAND PRIX
Historic racing cars on a live street circuit just outside one of Europe's most dramatic medieval cities. That combination is hard to beat.
This is the concluding day of Malta Classic, and what makes it worth the trip is the setting - the walls of Mdina as your backdrop, engines echoing off centuries-old stone, and the kind of atmosphere you won't find at a purpose-built track. These are real historic machines being pushed through a real street circuit, not a static display. Come early to get a good spot before the crowds build, and give yourself time to walk up into Mdina itself before or after - the town is quieter in the morning and the light on the walls is worth it.
Details: Sunday 4 October 2026, 09:00-16:00 - Mdina street circuit, Mdina - check prices and details here
WHAT'S ON: 7 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK
Thursday
- Anjunadeep Malta 2026 - a four-day melodic and progressive electronic festival kicking off Thursday with its welcome programme, featuring artists including Romain Garcia and Jody Wisternoff across three venues.
When: Thursday 8 October, welcome programme from 20:00; festival runs to Sunday 11 October
Where: Castello Zamittello, Mgarr; UNO Open Air, Ta' Qali; and Cafe del Mar, Qawra
Cost: Single-day tickets from $84.10 for 9-11 October; Thursday welcome party priced separately
Tickets/info: here
- Music Summit Malta - Malta's first dedicated music-industry summit, mixing talks, workshops and technology showcases with an associated evening performance programme.
When: Thursday 8 and Friday 9 October, from 08:30; associated evening programme 7-10 October
Where: Hard Rock Hotel Malta, St Julian's
Cost: Day pass 120 euros; general pass 229 euros; Thursday evening showcase from 50 euros
Tickets/info: here
Friday
- Casal Nuovo - Eku ta' erba' sekli - a free commemorative concert at St John's Co-Cathedral reflecting on Paola's four centuries of history and its founder, Grand Master Antoine de Paule.
When: Friday 9 October, 19:30
Where: St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta
Cost: Free
Tickets/info: here
- BIBLICAL - Sarah Bonnici Live in Concert - Sarah Bonnici at the piano, Charlie Cauchi's live video installation on the walls, limited seats - intimate and worth every cent of the booking fee.
When: Friday 9 October, 20:00-21:30; doors 19:30
Where: Concert Hall, Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta
Cost: 25 euros plus 2.50 euros booking fee
Tickets/info: here
Saturday
- Birgu Fest 2026 - food, crafts, heritage and performances across Birgu's streets and historic buildings, culminating in Birgu by Candlelight on Saturday night.
When: Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October, from 18:00
Where: Streets, squares and historic buildings across Birgu
Cost: Check locally for any admission details
Tickets/info: here.
- NITKELLEM 5KM and 10KM Run - a community run for World Mental Health Day with 5 km and 10 km routes, a wellness programme, and limited places - register early.
When: Saturday 10 October; registration 08:15, start 09:00
Where: Root Circle, Ta' Qali National Park
Cost: 9 euros plus 0.90 euros booking fee
Tickets/info: here.
Sunday
- National Theatre Live: The Misanthrope (encore) - Sandra Oh leads a sharp, contemporary reimagining of Moliere's classic, screened at Spazju Kreattiv Cinema in Valletta.
When: Sunday 4 October 2026, 19:30-21:30
Where: Spazju Kreattiv Cinema, Valletta
Cost: Check the booking page for current pricing
Tickets/info: here
Tip: Save or screenshot this section so you've got your week sorted in 10 seconds.
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COMING UP + BOOK AHEAD
NEXT 30 DAYS
1. Rave - The Subculture - Gez Varley and Mark Reeder headline a club night dedicated to rave history and underground electronic culture, joined by Maltese selectors.
When: Friday 16 October 2026, 22:00
Where: Liquid Club, San Gwann
Cost: Check the booking page for pricing
Info: here
2. Strings and Ivory: Cinema Classics and Virtuoso Masterpieces - Duo La Passione pairs Prokofiev and Piazzolla with music from Interstellar, Schindler's List and Skyfall - an easy yes for any Saturday evening.
When: Saturday 24 October 2026, 19:00-21:00
Where: Concert Hall, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta
Cost: Standard 25 euros plus booking fee; VIP front rows 35 euros plus booking fee
Info: here
3. The Hilarious Deep Amazing Malta Comedy Show - Stand-Up Comedy by Gilli Apter - Gilli Apter's touring English-language show tackles relationships, AI, ADHD and modern adulthood in what looks like a genuinely funny night.
When: Tuesday 27 October 2026; doors 19:30, show 20:00
Where: Concert Hall, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta
Cost: Check the booking page for pricing
Info: here
SEASON AHEAD - BOOK NOW
1. Salome by Oscar Wilde - Timothy Blore in the title role of Wilde's poetic tragedy at Teatru Manoel - desire, power and revenge on Malta's most beautiful stage.
When: Friday 6 November at 20:00; Saturday 7 November at 20:00; Sunday 8 November 2026 at 19:00
Where: Main Stage, Teatru Manoel, Valletta
Tickets: Check the booking page for pricing
Book: here
Note: Limited run of three performances only - worth booking ahead
2. Malta Metal Weekend - three nights of international heavy metal headlined by Kreator, Doro and Europe, one of the biggest club nights Malta has hosted in years.
When: 13-15 November 2026; doors open 17:00 daily
Where: InterContinental Malta, St Julian's
Tickets: From 35 euros
Book: here
Note: Full weekend passes and nearby St Julian's accommodation are going - move on this one
3. Naples: Voice, Music and Soul - World Premiere with Balletto di Milano, La Scala Singers and Live Italia - a one-night-only world premiere combining Neapolitan song, ballet and live orchestra at the MCC; some sections are already down to their last few seats.
When: 15 November 2026, 19:30
Where: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
Tickets: 49-85 euros
Book: here
Note: Certain seating categories already running low - book now if you want the seat you want
4. Max Amini Live in Malta! - international comedian Max Amini plays four English-language shows over one weekend; at 58 euros a ticket, four shows means these will fill fast.
When: 21 November 2026 at 18:00 and 21:00; 22 November 2026 at 18:00 and 21:00
Where: Republic Hall, Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
Tickets: From 58 euros
Book: here
Note: Ages 13 and above; every person in your group needs a ticket
WHERE TO GO: NORA'S LOUNGE DINER IN MELLIEHA
A family-run spot on Marfa Road near Ghad ira Bay, the kind of place where the portions are generous and the welcome is genuine. It's popular with locals and tourists alike, and for good reason.
If you're heading to the north on a Sunday, the roast is the obvious order. The all-day menu and the value make it an easy call any other day of the week too - good for families, good for groups, no fuss.
Location: Marfa Road, Ghad ira, Mellieha
Hours: Open daily, typically 10:00-23:00
Find them: here.
GET INVOLVED: SEZZJONI ZGHAZAGH PAWLINI MUNXARIN IS LOOKING FOR EVENT AND PROJECT SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS
Sezzjoni Zghazagh Pawlini Munxarin is Munxar's youth cultural group in Gozo, active in organising community activities and local cultural projects tied to the town's feast. They're a tight-knit group doing genuinely meaningful local work.
They need volunteers to help organise events and contribute to an artistic project for the community. It's unpaid, Gozo-based, and ideal for someone creative, organised, or simply eager to get properly embedded in a Gozitan community rather than just passing through.
How to join: here
QUICK HITS
- Anjunadeep Malta 2026 runs Thursday to Sunday this week across three venues - if you're only going one night, check the lineup per venue before buying, as artists are split across Mgarr, Ta' Qali and Qawra.
- Save the date: Malta Metal Weekend runs 13-15 November at the InterContinental Malta in St Julian's - Kreator, Doro and Europe on three consecutive nights is not something this island sees every year.
- Local gem: If you're in Birgu for the Fest this Friday or Saturday, walk down to the waterfront after dark once the main streets get busy - the view across the Grand Harbour with the Three Cities lit up is one of those Malta moments that still catches you off guard.
YOUR TURN
Know a great event, venue, or community project that should be here next week?
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Question of the week:
Anjunadeep, a Birgu candlelight evening, or a community run at Ta' Qali - if you could only do one thing this weekend, which would it be and why?
-> Hit reply - I'll feature the best answers (first name only) next week.
Cheers,
Simone
MaltaLife - bringing Malta's best to your inbox every Monday
Instagram: @maltalifenews
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