A taste of music:

Friday, 12 October from 6pm: The X Factor Malta Chair Challenge - MFCC - Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre, Attard; Friday, 12 October from 7pm: Joss Stone Live Acoustic Performance (Free Entrance) - Hugo's Terrace, St Julian's; Saturday, 13 October from 10pm – 4am: L-Istrina Music Festival Feat. Malta's Top Local DJs – Tigulio, St Julian’s.

A slate of music events promises to make this weekend one you can tap your toes to. On Friday, the Maltese version of the X-Factor will be filming their regular competition and you could be in the audience to cheer on your favourite local acts. Same night, British R&B singer/songwriter Joss Stone will be playing an acoustic gig at Hugo’s Terrace in St Julian’s. Entrance will be free, so get there early to nab a spot. And, for a late one on Saturday, head to Tigullio, also in St Julian’s, for a DJ-driven music bonanza, all in aid of charity. 

Flavours of cinema, theatre and opera:

Friday, 12 October from 9pm – 11pm: Lost in Translation - The Cinema Bar by Citylights, Valletta

Bill Murray at his sardonic best. Lost in Translation, by Sophia Coppola, has gone down in movie history, thanks to its leads – a young Scarlett Johannson plays Charlotte to Murray’s Bob Harris – and Coppola’s minimalistic direction. The film scooped an Academy Award for Best Writing and Best Picture, with a slew of Golden Globes, BAFTAs and any other award you can think of jostling to recognise the film. And, the screening, taking place at The Cinema Bar at Citylights in Valletta, promises to be a cosy, social affair. 

Saturday, 13 October from 7.30pm: Għajn Ma Tara/Friefet Bojod – Sala Marija Bambina, Gudja; Friday, 12 October and Saturday, 13 October from 8pm: The Jew of Malta - Teatru Manoel, Valletta.

Two plays in Malta - Għajn Ma Tara by Simone Ellul and Friefet Bojod by Lizzie Eldridge – will be staged, back to back, at Sala Marija Bambina in Gudja this weekend, as part of their tour around the islands. These are original works which emerged from ‘Get Your Act Together’, a theatrical project helping Maltese playwrights be innovative and push the envelope, by reflecting on the nature of this island. More self-reflexivity is in store with The Jew of Malta, directed by Chris Gatt, and enjoying a run at Teatru Manoel in Valletta. Christopher Marlowe’s classic retains its relevance in a world riddled by surreptitious dealings and shady characters.

All weekend, various times: Gozo Opera Month – locations around Victoria.

The Astra Theatre and the Aurora Opera House are in full swing this month. Gozo Opera Month, will see fully-staged operas hit the boards at these stalwarts of the artistic scene. Quality is always assured, and the season is highly sought after by many who mark it on their calendars month in advance, even heading to the island for a weekend stay. Want to know what the fuss is about? Full programme from here.

A tang of local:

Friday, 12 October from 7pm: The Dark Tales of Fort St Angelo - Fort St. Angelo, Vittoriosa; Sunday, 14 October from 9am – 5pm: Open Day – Ġgantija Temples

Heritage Malta are once again on the ball when it comes to making their sites accessible to the public. On Friday, head to Fort St Angelo for two tours based on the mystery and the supernatural – watch out for those ghosts though! And, on Sunday, dig deeper into the past with the open day at Ggantija Temples in Gozo, one of the oldest freestanding structures in the world (yes, overused but it bears repeating: older than the pyramids themselves).

All weekend from 7pm: Birgu Fest 2018 – Birgu

A highlight of Malta’s events calendar, Birgu Fest, will see the picturesque, alley-ridden town flicker in candlelight (better get your camera ready!). Museums will be open at discounted rates, restaurants will be stepping up their offerings for the evening (make sure you book) and you will find stalls and music to cater to every taste.