Independence Day in Malta means two things:
- The independence Malta gained after 150 years of British rule on the islands;
- You, my friend, have got yourself a day off work…OK, OK, the 21st September does happen to fall on Saturday this year but there are a lot of folks who head to the office during the weekend!
So whether you’re one of the lucky sods who has every weekend freed up or if you’ve had the 21st circled on your calendar as a glorious weekend away from your desk, here are a few fun things you can do to make the most of the day off.
Hit the eco-market
V5 of Eco Market Malta will be held at The Gaia Foundation in Ghajn Tuffieha, in collaboration with The Bubble NGO. It will be held from the 20th till the 22nd of September with opening hours starting at 5pm on Friday and 11am on Saturday and Sunday. The market will close at 8pm.
During the event you can enjoy a number of stalls spread around the green areas of Gaia Foundation where ethical concerns prevail. These change-makers will be sharing their gorgeous creations, fountains of knowledge and holistic approaches to life with all who attend. Hit this if you’re looking for some sort of sustainable enlightenment.
Get in The Bubble
For 9 years now, The Bubble NGO has organised a yearly festival and raised close to €120,000 for ethical and environmental causes just by bringing hippies and hippy-like lovers together for a week packed with music, food, art and workshops. Ahh, did I mention that it’s a camping festival too? And your kids and dogs are welcome!
Wake up to views of Riviera Martinique and Golden Bay after a night of raving at the festival-wide party. Grab yourself a quick espresso and a vegan breakfast treat and get back into the vibe, filled with peace and love, for an entire week. It’s hard to get bored or tired of The Bubble, there are so many different things happening all day long and if you’re not up for socialising, chilling in your camp area is always a good idea.
Grab a few brewskies
Oktoberfest Malta will be happening this September 20th - 22nd with a whole lot of beverages for you (and your friends) to enjoy. Held at the Montekristo Estates, the 2019 edition will feature the very first Oktoberfest celebration with showstopping beers to top the charts. Barrels upon barrels of brew will be served up, with over 150 options hailing from top European crafters - with Malta in the mix too of course.
Much like any Maltese festival, music, kid-activities and food will feature and pair up pretty well with your IPAs, stouts or lagers. Get your friends together, or call this a family outing, and enjoy the atmosphere, pints and grub as you jam out to the live tunes for the weekend. Don’t forget to book a taxi back home - nobody wants to be the designated driver.
Get your fingers green
There will be quite a few crowds about since those generally in the office will be let off their leash, so if you’re not really a people person you might want to spend the weekend with your pets and plants instead. They’re a whole lot more reasonable and hardly ever get on your nerves.
Whether you plan to garden or play fetch for the full weekend, appreciate your home and those who live in it with you. Maybe you can redecorate and even treat yourself to a promptly delivered take away from your fav restaurant, give Netflix a call and get yourself a good catch-up.
Be at one with nature
Head south, pack a good old picnic and make your way down to Xrobb L-Ghagin for a nature park walk that’s out of this world. Use this free time to reconnect with nature and your loved ones and enjoy the splendid views that surround you.
Remember to pack your camera or charge up your phone to add to those Insta stories kids - you know you’d love to let your boss know there are better ways to spend a Saturday morning than behind the desk.
A spot of culture never hurt
The capital calls every public holiday, and Independence Day is a great excuse to visit Valletta. Grab a coffee, a bit of lunch and visit a few museums while since you’ve got the time. Play tourist for the day and visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens; use the Barrakka Lift to make your way down to the Waterfront for a cocktail or three; scurry back up; and watch the sun set from the top.
Independence Day celebrations usually take place in the capital and take on the form of music, parades and other festivities that have the power to get the crowd pumped, transporting them to 1964 when the crowds cheered for their freedom from British rule.
Whatever you do on Independence Day this year, do it with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. It’s a great day to be happy.