Valletta
Valletta International Baroque Festival 2019
Teatru Manoel, Old Theatre Street, Valletta
Music Festival
Music Festival

The sixth edition of the Valletta International Baroque Festival is a festival that has in a few short years captured the imagination and support of an ever-growing public. It is especially significant that 2018 is the year that Valletta, a walled baroque city the foundation stone of which was laid in 1566, happens to be the European Capital of Culture along with Leeuwarden. Valletta is indeed a unique city; with a miniscule footprint which has remained unchanged since the 17th century. Ruled by a monastic principality whose rules were relaxed enough by the 18th century for the Grandmaster of the day, Anton Manoel de Vilhena, to requisition a couple of mansions belonging to the Priory of Navarre and have a théâtre à l’italienne built instead for ‘the honest recreation of the people’, or rather, to keep the restless young knights, scions of the greatest catholic aristocratic houses in Europe, out of mischief. It is this theatre, built in 1731, and having endured several interpolations in its chequered history – some good some not so good – that is today the national theatre of Malta which hosts the baroque festival in this evocative baroque city; a city chock-full of stunningly lovely churches, palaces and museums which provide glorious backdrops for an intense but always varied top-notch musical adventure. This is a theatre which we have restored to its original 18th century façade and have also acclimatized to ensure maximum comfort for its patrons both during the chilly winter months and the sweltering summer ones. An architectural miracle which holds its own with the most renowned historic theatres of Europe such as Drottningholm, Český Krumlov and Versailles.

This year the festival is venturing out of Valletta to two other walled cities: Mdina, the old Siculo-Norman capital where one can still see the columns of roman temples in its foundations, and Birgu or as it is also known, Vittoriosa, the main city of what are referred to collectively in Malta as The Three Cities and which lies across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, hiding behind the protective bulk of the forbidding Fort St Angelo. We will also be holding a concert at Verdala Castle, the country residence of the grandmasters, governors and now presidents of Malta.

This is what makes this festival so special. Listening to a great Handel or Bach work in a black box may be edifying enough, however it will never attain the magic of being set in a cathedral that is a heraldic and hagiographic paean to the glory of the most illustrious chivalric order the world has ever known. This is what this midwinter festival is all about.

Ticket prices, time, and location depend on the show. More information about the festival programme and performances available here.


Dates
11th - 26th January 2019 19:30
Upcoming Events
Victoria, Gozo
2nd July 2025

Classical Music
Kalkara
3rd July 2025
Sip, savour, and sway!

Wine Festival
Għarb, Gozo
3rd July 2025

Music
Victoria, Gozo
3rd July 2025

Classical Music
Valletta
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st July, 14th, 21st & 28th August 2025

Entertainment
Valletta
3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 28th, 29th, 30th & 31st July, 13th & 20th August 2025
A multidisciplinary exhibition.

Exhibition
Valletta
3rd, 8th & 10th July 2025

Show
Ta' Qali
3rd - 12th July 2025
Don't miss Malta's ultimate summer celebration!

Festival
Valletta
4th July 2025

Dance
Qala, Gozo
4th July 2025

Music
Nadur, Gozo
4th July 2025

Artisan Market
Marsascala
4th July 2025

Fest
Isla
4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th & 18th July 2025
A solo exhibition by Karm Serracino.

Exhibition
Valletta
4th - 6th July 2025
The 4th Edition of the Valletta Local Food Festival!

Festival
Ħal Kirkop
4th - 5th July 2025
This fest is supporting The Inspire Foundation.

Fest
St Julian's
4th - 6th July 2025
Three Epic Nights of Metal in Malta!

Festival
Floriana
5th July 2025
Relive the magic of the 80's!

Concert
Luqa
5th July 2025
An unmissable spectacle in the sky!

Fireworks Show
Għarb, Gozo
5th July 2025

Classical Music
Fgura
5th July 2025

Fest
Naxxar
5th July 2025
A Maltese traditional evening in the heart of Naxxar!

Family Activity
Pembroke
5th July 2025
Tunis Street will light up with culture!

Cultural
Rabat
5th - 26th July 2025
An exhibition by Katel Delia.

Exhibition
St Julian's
6th July 2025

Concert
Mqabba
6th July 2025

Fest
Victoria, Gozo
6th July - 8th September 2025

Exhibition
Marsalforn, Gozo
7th, 14th, 21st & 28th July, 11th, 18th & 25th August & 1st September 2025

Concert
Valletta
7th - 12th July 2025
Feel the rhythm in the heart of Valletta!

Festival
Ħamrun
9th July 2025
A New Era of Live Music Begins in Ħamrun

Fest
Pieta
9th July 2025

Music
Valletta
9th July 2025

Concert
Valletta
11th July 2025
Travel back in time!

Music
Msida
11th July 2025
Calling all Mini enthusiasts!

Car Show
Kerċem, Gozo
11th July 2025
The 9th edition!

Fireworks Show
Valletta
11th & 13th July 2025

Dance
11th - 13th July 2025

Music
Xewkija, Gozo
11th - 12th July 2025
A celebration of flavours, cultures and community!

Festival
Victoria, Gozo
12th July 2025

Concert
Rabat
12th July 2025

Family Activity
Kerċem, Gozo
12th July 2025

Fireworks Show
Santa Venera
12th July 2025

Family Activity
Valletta
12th July 2025

Workshop
Various locations
15th - 20th July 2025

Festival
Għargħur
16th July 2025

Fest
Għaxaq
17th July 2025
Zucchero is once again hitting the stage!

Concert
St Julian's
17th - 20th July 2025
Gin lovers, rejoice!

Fest
Għaxaq
18th July 2025
Get ready to dance the night away to the legends of Latin rhythm!

Concert
Għargħur
18th July 2025

Cultural
Dingli
18th & 29th July, 20th, 22nd & 29th August, 10th, 26th & 27th September 2025
The perfect sunset vibe!

Concert
Attard
18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th & 27th July 2025
A stellar cast and the magic of open air surroundings of San Anton Gardens!

Theatre
19th July 2025

Fireworks Show
Salina
19th July 2025
From the 70s till today's hits!

Party
St Julian's
19th July 2025

Classical Music
Victoria, Gozo
24th July 2025
Open Air Musical on Big Screen

Musical
Various locations
24th - 27th July 2025
A celebration of dance awaits you!

Festival
Sliema
24th - 27th July 2025

Artisan Market
Valletta
25th July 2025
Calling all ABBA fans!

Concert
Mellieħa
25th, 26th & 27th July & 8th August 2025

Entertainment
St Paul's Bay
26th July 2025
Dancing through the night with Robin Schulz on deck!

Party
Żurrieq
26th July 2025
Fireworks synchronised with music!

Fireworks Show
Marsalforn, Gozo
26th July 2025
A night of music, dancing and unforgettable vibes!

Fest
St Julian's
26th July 2025

Classical Music
Qala, Gozo
26th July 2025
All proceeds in aid of Puttinu Cares!

Fest
Naxxar
27th July 2025
This is not just a market - it is a community experience!

Artisan Market
St Paul's Bay
27th - 28th July 2025

Fest
Victoria, Gozo
28th July 2025

Concert
Valletta
29th July 2025
Celebrate Maltese music like never before!

Festival
Valletta
1st, 2nd & 3rd August 2025
Military History alive in the heart of Valletta!

Exhibition
Valletta
1st - 2nd August 2025
A moving tribute to courage, unity, and victory!

Commemorative Event
Żabbar
2nd August 2025

Fest
Xlendi, Gozo
2nd August 2025
The 12th edition of the Gozo Ceramis Festival!

Festival
Valletta
2nd August 2025

Festival
St Paul's Bay
5th August 2025
Legendary Steve Aoki Live in Malta!

Party
Floriana
6th - 10th August 2025
The Ultimate Culinary Experience Returns!

Fest
Valletta
8th August 2025

Concert
Valletta
8th - 10th August 2025
The 22nd edition of this much anticipated event of the year!

Festival
Valletta
10th August 2025

Show
Valletta
13th August 2025

Show
Mellieħa
14th - 17th August 2025
Celebrate local talent and creativity at the charming village of Mellieħa!

Artisan Market
15th August 2025

Festival
Valletta
21st, 22nd & 23rd August 2025
Calling all Italian music fans!

Concert
Victoria, Gozo
22nd - 24th August 2025
A weekend of stories brought to life on the big screen!

Film Festival
Buskett
23rd August 2025
In aid of Inspire!

Concert
Mosta
23rd August 2025
Live music, good vibes, and a great cause!

Music
Valletta
23rd August 2025
Level Up Your Day with Non-Stop Gaming Action!

Fest
Rabat
23rd August 2025

Party
Valletta
27th August 2025

Concert
Floriana
29th - 30th August 2025
André Rieu returns to Malta!

Concert
Valletta
6th September 2025

Opera
Rabat, Gozo
9th & 11th September 2025
A free event for everyone supporting local talent!

Festival
Valletta
12th September 2025
A must for 80s music lovers!

Concert
Various locations
12th - 16th September 2025
A Boutique Dance Music Experience!

Party
Xewkija, Gozo
13th September 2025

Festival
Msida
13th - 14th September 2025
La Voix Annual Show

Show
Valletta
19th September 2025
20 Years of (musical madness with) Igudesman & Joo

Music
Mellieħa
21st September 2025
Ending the summer on a high note!

Festival
Victoria, Gozo
25th September 2025

Screening
Valletta
26th September 2025

Concert
Valletta
27th September 2025
A night where the lights of Broadway shine in Malta!

Music
Safi
27th - 28th September 2025
The 28th Edition of the Malta International Airshow is back!

Air Show
Valletta
29th September 2025
A lecture by Dr Robert Farrugia.

Lecture
Sliema
3rd - 4th October 2025

Dance
6th October 2025

Concert
Victoria, Gozo
11th October 2025

Opera
Valletta
18th - 19th October 2025
A mega theatrical production is coming!

Theatre
Valletta
20th October 2025

Concert
Victoria, Gozo
23rd & 25th October 2025

Opera
Various locations
24th & 25th October 2025

Car racing
Valletta
24th, 25th, 26th & 31st October, 1st & 2nd November 2025

Theatre
Birkirkara
31st October & 1st November 2025
Bigger, bolder, and more magical than ever!

Panto
Victoria, Gozo
8th, 9th, 15th & 16th November 2025

Musical
Valletta
17th November 2025

Concert
Valletta
15th December 2025

Concert
Sliema
23rd, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th & 30th December 2025, 2nd, 4th & 5th January 2026
Watch out for that apple!

Theatre
Victoria, Gozo
30th May 2026

Opera