October is one of the best months to be in Malta. The summer crowds have gone, the sea is still warm enough to swim, and the islands fill up with festivals, concerts and some genuinely unique events. Here’s what’s happening in Malta in October 2026, with dates, venues and a few local tips to help you plan.
October 2026 at a glance
- 8–11 Oct: Anjunadeep Malta, at UNO and venues across the island
- 9–10 Oct: BirguFest, Birgu (Vittoriosa)
- 15–16 Oct: Future Sounds Malta Takeover, Velvet Club, St Paul’s Bay
- 17 Oct: Rolex Middle Sea Race start, Grand Harbour, Valletta
- 24 Oct: Junior Eurovision Song Contest, MFCC, Ta’ Qali
- 24 Oct: Teatru Salesjan Rock Series, Sliema
- 27 Oct – 1 Nov: The Three Palaces Festival, historic palaces around Malta
- 30 Oct: Candlelight: Tribute to Hans Zimmer, The Phoenicia, Floriana
Don’t miss: BirguFest (9–10 October)
If you only do one thing in Malta this October, make it BirguFest. For two evenings, Birgu – one of the Three Cities across the harbour from Valletta – fills with live music, re-enactments, open museums and food stalls.
The real magic is on Saturday night, when the town switches off its street lights and the narrow medieval streets are lit by thousands of candles. It’s busy, so go early and wear comfortable shoes.
Getting there: take the ferry from Valletta to the Three Cities instead of driving. Parking in Birgu is very limited on festival nights. Full BirguFest details →
Watch the Rolex Middle Sea Race start (17 October)
One of the Mediterranean’s classic offshore yacht races starts from the Grand Harbour on Saturday 17 October at 11:00. A big international fleet sets off on a 606-nautical-mile loop around Sicily and back to Malta.
Watching is free. The best spots are the Upper Barrakka Gardens and Lower Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, or the waterfronts in Birgu and Senglea. Arrive by 10:00 to get a good view. Race start details →
Junior Eurovision comes to Malta (24 October)
Malta is hosting the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for the third time, after 2014 and 2016. Young singers aged 9 to 14 from 16 countries will compete live from the MFCC in Ta’ Qali, with the show starting at 21:00 Malta time.
This year’s theme, “Join the Festa”, is inspired by Malta’s village festas, so expect plenty of local flavour on stage. Even if you’re not going, it’s a fun one to watch with friends. Junior Eurovision details →
Music and nightlife
October is still a big month for electronic music in Malta. Anjunadeep Malta (8–11 October) brings melodic house and techno to UNO, Café del Mar and other venues, while the Future Sounds Malta Takeover runs over two nights at Velvet Club in St Paul’s Bay (15–16 October).
Prefer live bands? The Teatru Salesjan Rock Series showcases local rock and alternative acts in Sliema on 24 October.
Classical music and culture
The Three Palaces Festival (27 October – 1 November), organised by Festivals Malta, puts on intimate concerts inside some of the island’s grandest historic buildings. Seats are limited, so book early.
For something atmospheric, Candlelight: Tribute to Hans Zimmer on 30 October brings Hans Zimmer’s film music to a candlelit room at The Phoenicia, just outside Valletta’s city gate.
Coming up in early November
Planning ahead? The Malta Book Festival runs from 4 to 8 November at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali, with author talks, publishers’ stands and family activities. Crime writer Ian Rankin is among this year’s announced guests.
Malta in October: practical tips
- Weather: daytime temperatures are usually in the low to mid 20s °C, and the sea is still around 24 °C. Expect the odd rainy day, so pack a light jacket.
- Getting around: buses cover most of the island, and the ferries between Valletta, Sliema and the Three Cities are the easiest way to reach harbour events. For late nights or events in Ta’ Qali and St Paul’s Bay, book a taxi or ride-hailing app in advance.
- Book early: concerts like the Three Palaces Festival and Candlelight have limited seats and often sell out.
- Check before you go: times and venues can change, so always confirm on the official event website linked on each event page.
Find more events
We update our Malta events calendar every week. Know an event we’ve missed? Tell us about it.