Celebrate Easter:

Good Friday, 31st March – Easter Sunday 1st April: various locations around Malta & Gozo.

Easter is not all about eggs and bunnies in Malta (though there’s lots of that as well!) While celebrations this weekend start off on a sombre note – with Good Friday processions happening in 17 towns and villages – don’t let that put you off some of the more traditional events this weekend. Shops and businesses are all closed tomorrow, but most people will head to Valletta, Qormi or Zejtun in Malta and Xaghra in Gozo to either complete their seven church visitations or to watch the ornate processions, commemorating the Passion of the Christ, go by. Watch out for Easter exhibitions popping up all over the capital, representing the last supper. But, if you want to see this iconic moment in the Catholic tradition live, head to Gozo where they will be organising a re-enactment, in which actors will portray Jesus sharing his final meal with his Apostles before his crucifixion. Easter celebrations culminate on Sunday, with more processions and the blessing of Malta’s traditional Easter sweet, the figolla, in Birgu and Qormi. Make sure to get a slice!

Fun for kids this Easter weekend:

Saturday, 31st March at 11am – 6pm: Easter Saturday at The Point, Pjazza Tigne.

Easter is also a holiday for kids. The Point shopping mall is organising a full day of activities on Saturday from 11am. Children will be able to meet and greet the Easter Bunny, take part in an Easter Egg Hunt and watch a magic show! There will also be face painting – a perennial favourite – and the shops will be open for the parents. 

For an electronic Easter celebration:

Saturday 31st March, 11pm – 4am: Squadron 15 Year Anniversary / I-F / 31.03.18 – Liquid Club, San Gwann & Sunday, April 1st, 2pm: Electro Easter A Techno Day Party - Funky Monkey, Manoel Island, Gzira

Hit the clubs this weekend with some of the best electronic music events of the year. On Saturday, Liquid Club is hosting the Squadron 15 Year Anniversary party, celebrating the iconic brand and featuring I-F, an artist who has greatly influenced the Squadron brand right from the start through his cult 'Mixed Up in The Hague' mix series. Sunday will see Funky Monkey putting up its own do, with some of the best local DJs spinning tracks both inside and outside the venue. DJ Ruby, Kristian Vela (Reaktive/Over Records), Pirell and Sean Rickett are on the decks.

And for an alternative:

Saturday, 31st March, 10:30pm: Spots & Stripes – Beachhaven, St Paul’s Bay.

If you’d prefer a more indie vibe, head down to Beachhaven in St Paul’s Bay for Spots & Stripes, organised by DJs Bob and G who have been organising the event for the past 10 years. Expect retro tunes and alternative music, such as tracks from Franz Ferdinand, Beck and Kaiser Chiefs. Entrance is 5 euros at the door.

Saturday, 31st March, 4pm – 8pm: Opening SOLO Vinyl & Books Malta, Msida.

Independent vinyl book shop, Solo, which started in Milan in 2011, is heading to our shores and launching it’s outlet this Saturday. Specialising in music, vinyl culture, art, illustration, photography, subculture and underground, this might prove to be a regular haunt for many. They also host exhibitions, book launches, workshops and gigs, though the schedule of events is yet to be announced. 

Enjoy the spring air:

Sunday 1st April, 3pm-6pm: Coastal South Hiking Adventure – starting from Summer Nights, Marsascala.

The glorious spring air is definitely worth a celebration in itself. Head to the great outdoors this weekend with this three-hour trek in St Thomas’ Bay. The starting point is Summer Nights in Marsascala, and dogs are also welcome. 

If you fancy a spot of history:

Saturday, 31st March from 9am – 5pm: Inquisitor's Palace – Open Day, Birgu.

As part of their series of open days to sites of historical and archaeological significance, Heritage Malta has also decided to throw the doors open to the Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu. The Inquisitor’s Palace is one of the very few surviving palaces and features the reconstruction of a domestic kitchen area, a sophisticated piano nobile and private quarters, a Holy Office Tribunal, prison complex and a torture chamber. There will also be two guided tours of the site (at 10am and 2pm) but make sure to get there earlier if you don’t want to miss them.