Having been celebrated for hundreds of years, Carnival in Malta is back and better than ever!

This year carnival will be taking place from the 9^th to the 13^th February, right before Lent starts as tradition dictates.

In 2024, Malta’s carnival will see the participation of 23 different companies. They will be showcasing different carnival floats, dances and epic costumes. This number is quite an impressive one as it has not been reached since the 1980s!

This carnival will be in memory of Pawlu Curmi ‘il-Pampalun’, the father of Maltese carnival who unfortunately passed away last year. In fact, an exhibition in his honour, ‘Pawlu Curmi ‘Il-Pampalun’: Il-Bniedem u l-Leġġenda’ will be held at Valletta’s Spazju Kreattiv. 

Apart from carnival floats and dances in Valletta, this year’s carnival will see many other activities. This includes street theatre, a tradition that dates back to the Knights of St John. The street theatre is written by Cikku l-Poplu and will be produced and directed by Joseph Galea. If you wish to attend you can find it at Triq l-Ordinanza and it is completely free.  

The traditional game of il-Qarcilla will also be organised.

Similar to what was done last year, carnival will also take place in Hamrun on top of the usual Valletta and Floriana. For the first time this year a carnival spectacle will be put up in Zurrieq as well.

After 25 years, we will see the participation of a traditional Maltese marching band, first in Hamrun on the 4^th February and the again in Valletta on the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th February.  

For more information on this year’s carnival in Malta and the full programme of events, click here. 

If you plan on attending carnival on the sister island of Gozo, here’s you full guide.