Festivals Malta launches its new events programme for 2026 and five-year strategy

Photo: Chelsea Muscat

The Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government Owen Bonnici, together with Festivals Malta, officially presented the Agency's events programme for the year 2026, which includes 11 festivals, five national holidays, and various other events. Festivals Malta also launched its strategy for the next 5 years Festivals & Beyond 2026-2031.

This calendar of events, which starts in January 2026 with the Valletta Baroque Festival, and concludes with the Three Palaces Festival in November 2026, also includes a new festival called the Valletta Guitar Festival, and the transition of Ritmu Roots Festival into Festgħana, among others.

The speakers also explained some of the agency’s initiatives, particularly on the development of the Festivals Malta website. The new website, festivals.mt, will include various accessibility tools such as a screen reader and virtual keyboard, bilingual content in both Maltese and English, and an updated and easy-to-use menu that offers an improved experience for its users.

Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government Owen Bonnici said: "We have announced an ambitious and visionary program for 2026, which includes 11 festivals, five national holidays and many other events that strengthen our country's cultural calendar. This is clear proof of how culture in Malta continues to grow at a steady pace and with a high level of professionalism. We also presented our Festivals & Beyond 2026-2031 strategy, which means more collaboration between public and private entities, more accessibility for the public, and more commitment to our artistic community. This is a path that continues to place Maltese culture on a strong foundation and a forward-looking future."

Festivals Malta Chairman Aaron Zahra presented Festivals Malta’s strategy and the Agency’s plan for the next five years. “This strategy is the product of a rigorous process that involved various artists, audiences, stakeholders and even international experts in the sector. Through this strategy, Festivals Malta will work to ensure that its festivals not only improve the quality of life, but also foster the creativity and well-being of our audiences, and unite communities locally and internationally through culture. In doing so, Festivals Malta will continue to strengthen its core objective: to foster and grow a diverse portfolio of festivals that celebrate the rich culture and creative spirit of our country.”

Photo: Chelsea Muscat

Festivals Malta CEO Frans Agius explained how Festivals Malta will enter the new year not only with a new and diverse portfolio of events, but also with several goals for the future. “Festivals Malta’s portfolio is constantly growing and developing. For the year 2026, the agency will continue to develop its cultural calendar to offer a diverse experience to our audience. As always, Festivals Malta will prioritise not only culture by helping to make it accessible to all, but also to promote local artists and offer them opportunities to develop their artistic talents, while preserving and celebrating our country’s cultural heritage. The year 2026 will mark a step forward for Festivals Malta that will help us improve the quality of everything we do.”

For more information on the work of Festivals Malta, visit the website www.festivals.mt.