With Easter week behind us, we’re all looking in one direction, and that is summer 2023. And what better way to kick off an awesome Maltese summer, than with one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year – the annual Malta International Fireworks Festival which this year is taking place between Monday 24th and Sunday 30th April 2023?

That’s right, prepare your folding chairs, and start exercising your necks to enjoy some of the finest pyrotechnics the country has to offer in seven packed days of events, including six pyro-musical competitions, exhibitions and over 60 local firework displays.

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The Ministry for Tourism together with the Malta Tourism Authority have announced that the 21st edition of the Malta International Fireworks Festival will be held in conjunction with the International Symposium of Fireworks. All pyro-musical competitions will be organised over the majestic Grand Harbour in Valletta. These will feature exceptional pyro-musical displays by one Maltese, one Gozitan and four international competitors on Monday 24th and Friday 28th of April 2023.

The Southern village of Haz-Zabbar will, for the first time, host one of the events which is set to take place on Tuesday 25th April. Haz-Zabbar is well known with festa enthusiasts for its annual feast dedicated to Our Lady of Graces which takes place in September, for which the two local band clubs work hard to outdo each other in their traditional celebrations. This makes Haz-Zabbar the ideal backdrop to exhibit traditional fireworks displays along with entertainment by the local band clubs themselves, to give a taste of the traditional feast celebrations.

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Next, the festival will make its way to St Paul’s Bay on Wednesday 26th April, for a special show of unique Catherine wheels by various local factories and associations. Next up is the Northern village of Mellieha which is also well known for its spectacular colourful displays, set for Thursday 27th.

On Saturday 29th, the festival will be held in Malta’s sister island, Gozo, specifically the breath-taking Nadur Belvedere, featuring a jam-packed programme of emotions.

Each night promises to be a beautiful display of colour and age-old tradition, with the closing night on Sunday 30th at the Grand Harbour bound to remain emblazoned in visitors’ minds for a while!

Fireworks displays in Malta hold a very special place in people’s hearts as they are an important feature of the traditional Maltese festa. Entire armies of dedicated professionals spend the whole year in fireworks factories, preparing unbelievable displays, often developing new techniques that leave viewers in awe!

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VisitMalta will also be supporting the Floriana Local Council, in the organisation of the Mechanical Ground Fireworks Special on Saturday 22nd April. The event, which will take place at the Granaries, Floriana, will see a competitive display of traditional ground fireworks know as Catherine wheels by 10 local fireworks factories and associations. This event forms part of the Feast of St Publius, Malta’s first Bishop who welcomed the Apostle Paul in AD60, patron saint of Floriana.

Once you’re on the island, make sure to make the best of your stay, and take in all the flavours Malta’s rich culture has to offer. Start with watching the colourful In Guardia Parade at the magnificent Fort St Elmo in Valletta. The captivating re-enactment portrays the inspection of the fort’s garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of St John hundreds of years ago.

Fifty re-enactors dressed in their period uniforms demonstrate their drills to the Bailiff to showcase their military preparedness. The performance lasts for about 40 minutes, and tickets also include a visit to the upper part of the fort.

Summer 2023 in Malta is promising to be one to remember. The World Club Dome Island Edition is set to offer an unforgettable Mediterranean experience, with clubbers jetting over to Malta for three nights and four days of sun, sea, and world-class DJ performances between 4th and 6th of August.

Not to mention world-class legend Robbie Williams who is set to wow the Granaries in Floriana on August 24th, and EuroPride Valletta 2023 – the largest gathering of love and diversity Malta has ever seen. Billed to celebrate #EqualityFromTheHeart, the LGBTIQ+ event will take place between 7th and 17th September.