For some, summer in Gozo is about new adventures. For others, it’s about reliving childhood memories at the beach or attending the village festa. Whatever the case, there’s no doubt that summer is the most exciting and colourful season on the island. Beyond beach days and lazy siestas, summer in Gozo comes alive with an energetic calendar of events celebrating local culture, music, and tradition.
Weekly events ensure the island is never quiet. Marsalforn Mondays feature a rotating lineup of live shows in the coastal village, while City Tuesdays bring music to the streets and squares of Victoria. Midweek summer vibes alternate between Xagħra and Qala, with top local artists performing in the village core. Mġarr Fridays make the most of the harbour atmosphere, while I Love Xlendi fills weekends with music and tradition, including the Saturday fjakkolata lighting up the cliffs.
Saturdays are packed: Summer in the Square in Xewkija and Nadur Saturdays offer community-based performances, while Iljieli Sajfin in Għajnsielem includes music, film nights, and even quizzes. Families can look out for Funland Thursdays at Marsalforn and Starlit Nights in Għarb – both geared toward children and lovers of the performing arts. Younger kids can enjoy morning activities at the Gozo Central Public Library.
No summer in Gozo would be complete without the village feasts, which take over the island with music, fireworks, and tradition. Each village hosts a full week of events culminating in major celebrations from Friday to Sunday. Expect band marches, fireworks, ground shows choreographed to music, and Sunday processions dedicated to each village’s patron saint. Some of the most talked-about feasts include St George’s in mid-July and Santa Marija (Assumption of Mary) in mid-August — both held in Victoria with a legendary rivalry between the two factions. Other major feasts like Our Lady of Loreto in Għajnsielem are also known for their flair, as are those with special traditions like the infiorata, horse races, or elaborate street decorations.
Music lovers are spoiled for choice. The Gozo Youth Orchestra presents Opera vs Pop Under the Stars on 28 July. August continues with a wide variety of events: Dcapitals Big Band’s 10th anniversary show at the Citadel Ditch features guest singer Kevin Borg; Rock Legends brings electrifying energy to Mġarr on 8 August; and The Little Mermaid musical by Chorus Urbanus Juniors runs on 25–26 August in Villa Rundle. Folk music lovers can visit San Lawrenz on 4 August and Santa Luċija on 20 September. As summer winds down, Levant Gozo Music Festival comes to Xewkija on 13 September, followed by Trumpet & Brass in Nadur on 19 September and the Independence Day Concert on 21 September.
Art exhibitions also fill the summer months. Il-Ħaġar Museum in Victoria will host ‘Mystery and Modernity’ by Carmelo Mangion, while Victor Agius’s ‘Earth & Fire’ open studio in Xagħra runs through the summer. Other highlights include the Ceramic Art Collective at the Citadel Cultural Centre in August, the Gozo Ceramics Festival in Xlendi on 2 August, and Mary Portelli’s mosaics from September to November. Art..e Gallery will showcase “Moments in Time” in September and October.
Foodies and families can enjoy the Gozo Food Festival in Xewkija, with dishes from ten countries; the screening of Singin’ in the Rain in the streets of Victoria; and the Qala Auto Fest showcasing classic and customised cars. L-Assedju t’Għawdex re-enacts the 1551 Siege of Gozo, while music lovers can head to Xwejni Music Fest.
August events continue with the 170th edition of the Gozo Traditional Agricultural and Industrial Fair (13–15 August), and popular festivals like Xlendi Sunset Festival (9 August), Ta’ Sannat Beer Festival (16 August), and the Delicata Wine Festival in Nadur (22–23 August). The Gozo Film Festival returns from 22–24 August at the Citadel, featuring film screenings, workshops, and a dedicated kids’ programme.
Folk culture gets another boost at the Fiori d’Argento Folk Festival in Xewkija on 28–29 August, and again in September at the Qala Folk Fusion Festival (12–13 September). Other September events include the Youth for Youths Festival by the OASI Foundation (18 September), the Fontana Wine Festival (19 September), and the International Puppet Festival in Għarb (26–28 September). The Traditions Festival in Għasri on 20 September offers a taste of local produce and customs, focusing on wine, olive oil, and honey.
Gozo in summer is more than sunshine and beaches – it’s a season of colour, rhythm, tradition, and joy. Whether you’re here for a festa, a concert, a quiet art exhibition, or simply to wander the warm streets, there’s something happening around every corner.
The full calendar of events can be accessed online here.