Programme
of Events
An exhibition dedicated to one of the main contributors to the development of Carnival in Malta, Pawlu Curmi “Il-Pampalun”. This exhibition forms part of the Spazju Kreattiv Programme.
Location: Atrium, Spazju Kreattiv, St James Cavalier, Valletta
Time: 9:00am - 9:00pm
Price: Free
Age: All
Accessibility: Spazju Kreattiv is accessible to wheelchair users from the parliament side entrance.
Pawlu Curmi ‘Il-Pampalun’ Il-Bniedem, il-Leġġenda
1 Feb - 3 Mar
Carnival isn’t only celebrated in Floriana and Valletta, it happens all over the island! Keeping with the tradition of the programme for Malta’s National Carnival in the past few years, this year we’re inviting you to the main street of Ħamrun for a feast of colour on Sunday, 4th February. This year, this event which will launch carnival festivities in Malta, will also feature the return of the traditional band parade which after a long hiatus, will return alongside grotesque masks, carnival floats and merriment groups.
Location: St Joseph High Street, Ħamrun
Time: 10:00am onwards
Price: Free
Age: All
Accessibility: St Joseph High Street is easily accessible to wheelchair users.
Carnival in Ħamrun
4 Feb
Carnival is coming to the heart of Żurrieq. Whilst the primary events of Carnival will be celebrated in Valletta, Malta’s carnival will also be present in Maltese villages with grotesque masks and dances. Join us in the evening of the 8th February in Żurrieq’s main streets the day before Carnival.
Location: Żurrieq and Its Surroundings
Time: 6:00pm onwards
Price: Free
Carnival in Żurrieq
8 Feb
Carnival in Valletta
& Floriana
A live theatrical performance of Il-Qarċilla, the traditional farce synonymous with Carnival, penned by Ċikku l-Poplu and, directed and produced by Joseph Galea. This project forms part of the Spazju Kreattiv Programme.
Location: Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta
Time: 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Price: Out shortly
Age: All
Accessibility: Spazju Kreattiv is accessible by wheelchair. For assistance to enter the performance space, kindly contact Spazju Kreattiv directly by sending an email to fondazzjoni@kreattivita.org.
Language: Maltese
Il-Qarċilla fit-Teatru
Thur, 8 Feb
It’s the first day of Carnival in Malta’s Capital City! This year’s programme features competitive dances by dance companies wearing impressive costumes from Sections D, B and A, and a parade with the participation of King Carnival, featuring Grotesque Masks, Dance Company Floats Section A and Triumphal Floats from Section D. To see the programme for the day in full form.
Location: St George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta
Time: 6:00pm – 8:45pm
Price: €8 - €17 Buy Tickets
Age: All
Accessibility: Visit Our Getting Around Section
Language: Maltese
Carnival in Valletta's Streets
Fri, 9 Feb
Witness a tragicomedy that unfolds against the backdrop of contemporary Europe and its vibrant theatrical landscape. Enter the world of a jury faced with the daunting challenge of selecting the inaugural winner of the European Theatre Festival, modelled after the Eurovision Song Contest. A staggering 52 countries present their shows, each vying for the coveted title of The Best European Show. Little do they know that the task at hand is far more complex than anyone could have anticipated. As the decisive night approaches, a web of politics, private ambitions, love affairs, and audacious artistic visions intertwines, creating a riveting narrative.The stakes are set sky-high, and the pressure intensifies with each passing moment. Just when it seems like everything is under control, chaos ensues, and almost everything that can go wrong does. The last night becomes a whirlwind of unexpected twists.But the drama doesn’t end on the stage. The audience becomes an integral part of the spectacle, and suddenly, the entire theatre scene across Europe is shaken to its core. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions where tragedy and comedy collide, leaving an indelible mark on the world of European theatre.
Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta
Time: 7:00pm
The Best European Show
Fri, 9 Feb
A live theatrical performance of Il-Qarċilla, the traditional farce synonymous with Carnival, penned by Ċikku l-Poplu and, directed and produced by Joseph Galea. This project forms part of the Spazju Kreattiv Programme.
Location: Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta
Time: 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Price: Out shortly
Age: All
Accessibility: Spazju Kreattiv is accessible by wheelchair. For assistance to enter the performance space, kindly contact Spazju Kreattiv directly by sending an email to fondazzjoni@kreattivita.org.
Language: Maltese
Il-Qarċilla fit-Teatru
Fri, 9 Feb
This year, the children’s carnival at St George’s Square features the participation of dance schools together with all the competitive dance companies from section C. The event features a parade led by the King Carnival float and triumphal floats from section C. The parade will then continue along Republic Street, Valletta.
Location: St George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta
Time: 9:30am - 11:45am
Price: €5 - €15 Buy Tickets
Age: All
Accessibility: Visit Our Getting Around Section
Language: Maltese
Children's Carnival
(Morning Programme)
Sat, 10 Feb
A live theatrical performance of Il-Qarċilla, the traditional farce synonymous with Carnival, penned by Ċikku l-Poplu, and directed and produced by Joseph Galea.
Location: Ordinance Street , Valletta (adjacent to Pjazza Teatru Rjal)
Time: 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm
Price: Free
Age: All
Language: Maltese
Il-Qarċilla Fit-Toroq tal-Belt
Sat, 10 Feb
This programme at St George’s Square, featuring various competitive dance companies Section B, together with Dance Company Floats Section A and Triumphal Floats Sections A and B, as well as the participation of a traditional Carnival local band together with a band float and grotesque Masks. The parade will then continue along Republic Street, Valletta until late evening.
Location: St George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta
Time: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Price: €7 - €17 Buy Tickets
Age: All
Language: Maltese
Afternoon Programme
Sat, 10 Feb
Witness a tragicomedy that unfolds against the backdrop of contemporary Europe and its vibrant theatrical landscape. Enter the world of a jury faced with the daunting challenge of selecting the inaugural winner of the European Theatre Festival, modelled after the Eurovision Song Contest. A staggering 52 countries present their shows, each vying for the coveted title of The Best European Show. Little do they know that the task at hand is far more complex than anyone could have anticipated. As the decisive night approaches, a web of politics, private ambitions, love affairs, and audacious artistic visions intertwines, creating a riveting narrative.The stakes are set sky-high, and the pressure intensifies with each passing moment. Just when it seems like everything is under control, chaos ensues, and almost everything that can go wrong does. The last night becomes a whirlwind of unexpected twists.But the drama doesn’t end on the stage. The audience becomes an integral part of the spectacle, and suddenly, the entire theatre scene across Europe is shaken to its core. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions where tragedy and comedy collide, leaving an indelible mark on the world of European theatre.
Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta
Time: 7:00pm
The Best European Show
Sat, 10 Feb
This Carnival morning starts with competitions at St. George’s Square, with the participation of Competitive Dance Companies from Sections B and D. Also including the participation of Triumphal Floats Sections C and D that will parade along Valletta’s Main Roads, starting from the Granaries (Floriana), Great Siege Street (Floriana), Girolamo Cassar Street, Castille Square, Merchant’s Street, Archbishop Street, Republic Street and Freedom Square until late afternoon.
Location: St George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta
Time: 10:00am – 01:00pm
Price: €7 - €17 Buy Tickets
Age: All
Morning Programme
Sun, 11 Feb
A live theatrical performance of Il-Qarċilla, the traditional street theatre farce synonymous with Carnival, penned by Ċikku l-Poplu and directed by Joseph Galea.
Location: Ordinance Street, Valletta
Time: 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm
Price: Free
Age: All
Il-Qarċilla fit-Toroq tal-Belt
Sun, 11 Feb
A programme at St George’s Square, featuring competitive dancing companies from Sections A and C. The event includes the defile with the participation of King Carnival, Section A Company Floats together with Triumphal Floats from Sections A and B. Sunday’s event includes the participation of a Traditional Carnival local band together with the Band float and Grotesque Masks. After St George’s Square arena exhibition, the parade will continue along Republic Street, Valletta until late in the evening
Time: 3:30pm – 6:00pm
Location: St George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta
Price: €10 - €20 Buy Tickets
Age: All
Afternoon Programme
Sun, 11 Feb
Witness a tragicomedy that unfolds against the backdrop of contemporary Europe and its vibrant theatrical landscape. Enter the world of a jury faced with the daunting challenge of selecting the inaugural winner of the European Theatre Festival, modelled after the Eurovision Song Contest. A staggering 52 countries present their shows, each vying for the coveted title of The Best European Show. Little do they know that the task at hand is far more complex than anyone could have anticipated. As the decisive night approaches, a web of politics, private ambitions, love affairs, and audacious artistic visions intertwines, creating a riveting narrative.The stakes are set sky-high, and the pressure intensifies with each passing moment. Just when it seems like everything is under control, chaos ensues, and almost everything that can go wrong does. The last night becomes a whirlwind of unexpected twists.But the drama doesn’t end on the stage. The audience becomes an integral part of the spectacle, and suddenly, the entire theatre scene across Europe is shaken to its core. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions where tragedy and comedy collide, leaving an indelible mark on the world of European theatre.
Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta
Time: 6:00pm
The Best European Show
Sun, 11 Feb
A spectacle with Dance companies in St George's Square.
Time: 10:00am – 12:30pm
Location: St. George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta
Price: €5 Buy Tickets
Age: All
Morning Programme
Mon, 12 Feb
A programme at St George’s Square, featuring competitive dancing companies from Sections A and C. This event includes the défilé with the participation of King Carnival and section A Company floats together with Triumphal Floats from sections A and B. Event includes the participation of a traditional local carnival band together with the band float and grotesque masks. After St George’s Square arena exhibition the parade will continue along Republic Street, Valletta until late in the evening.
Time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: St. George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta
Price: €12 - €17 Buy Tickets
Age: All
Afternoon Programme
Mon, 12 Feb
A dance show at St George’s Square featuring all competitive Dancing Companies Sections A, B, C and D.
Location: St George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta
Time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Price: €8 - €17 Buy Tickets
Age: All
Afternoon Programme
Tue, 13 Feb
Getting to Carnival in Valletta & Floriana
During the five main days of Carnival in Valletta, thousands of people swarm Malta’s capital city to catch a glimpse of the carnival floats, dances and many of the other activities which form part of this yearly celebration. For this reason, getting to Valletta may not be as easy as usual. Make sure to plan your trip ahead of time.
Throughout the 5 days of Carnival, Valletta can be accessed by:
Bicycle
With a bicycle, parking is far easier than with a private vehicle. Valletta has a few areas where bicycles can be parked. For more information on where you can park your bicycle in Valletta, scroll down to the CityNomadi map at the end of this page.
Private E-Scooter
Personal e-scooters can be used and parked around Valletta. But make sure to take care of your e-scooters! There will be dances, parades, and carnival floats roaming around most of Valletta’s streets, so make sure to park your e-scooter in a space that does not obstruct carnival traffic.
Bus
Most buses in Malta lead to the Valletta bus terminus, so getting to Malta’s capital city. More information on the bus schedule and how you can make your way can be found on Transport Malta’s website here.
Private Car
Getting to Carnival in Valletta by car should be your last resort. Whilst using a private car is convenient, parking during the days of Carnival is incredibly difficult. If you absolutely need to use a car, try to carpool with friends or other parties. You can also leave your car at the Park & Ride or consider taking a taxi.
Ferry
For visitors catching ferries from Sliema, the Three Cities or Gozo, make sure to have a look at the ferries’ websites to see if there are any changes in the ferries’ schedule.
Do I need to buy a ticket to enter St George’s Square?
Yes, to enter St George’s square, tickets need to be purchased. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Can I purchase tickets at St George’s Square with cash?
Yes, both card and cash payment options are available at the door.
Can I purchase tickets for the Gold Area at St George’s Square?
No. The Gold area is only accessible to people with a special Gold area pass. Passes cannot be exchanged and shifted from one person to another.
Is the arena at St George’s square accessible to wheelchair users?
Yes. There is a special area for wheelchair users in the arena. Persons with a disability, upon the presentation of a valid EU disability card are also entitled to tickets at a concession rate and are entitled to a free companion ticket. To request a free companion ticket, please email our Audience Development & Outreach Associate on christian.debono.2@festivals.mt, keeping kristina.polidano@festivals.mt copied in the email.
Can pushchairs enter the arena at St George’s Square?
Pushcairs are not allowed in the arena but can be stowed in a special designated area for pushchair storage.
Can I stand up in the audience section of the arena?
Please make sure to remain seated whilst you are in the arena. Be respectful! Other members of the public want to see the performances as much as you do.
I can’t find my question in the FAQ section, who should I contact?
Please contact info.fm@festivals.mt with your query and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
I’m curious about how I can get to Valletta and Floriana during Carnival. How do I get there?
Have a look at our guide to getting to carnival in Valletta and Floriana here.
What is the gold area in St George’s Square?
The gold area is the premium seating area in the arena and is facing the Grandmaster’s Palace. Concession rates for this area do not apply.
My child is under 3 years old, can they enter for free?
Yes, children under the age of 3 can enter the arena for free.
FAQ
Carnival (Winter)
When will the summer carnival in Malta happen in 2024?
Summer Carnival will be happening on the 25th, 26th & 27th August 2024.
When will applications for the summer carnival in Malta open?
More information on the launch of applications will be released soon!
FAQ
Il-Karnival tas-Sajf (Summer Carnival)