Celebrate strawberries and the great outdoors:

Sunday 8th April from 10am to 4pm: Festa Frawli - Strawberry Festival, Mgarr centre. 

The glorious aroma of strawberries on the spring air is one of the highlights at this time of year. And this weekend, Mgarr is going to be heaven for strawberry lovers, with the 12th edition of Festa Frawli – the Strawberry Festival! Head there for freshly picked strawberries which will be on sale throughout the day. An open-air kitchen will also be churning out desserts, snacks drinks containing – you guessed it – strawberries. But, if this isn't your favourite fruit, there’s plenty more to do: a photo hunt, a strawberry photography competition and a painting competition, train rides, archery and fun games, organised by a dedicated team of animators, will keep everyone entertained!

Saturday, 7th April from 10am – 5pm: Organic Spring Fair - Vincent's Eco Farm, Mgarr.

This is the time of year in which we all get to celebrate the bounties of nature. And, Vincent’s Eco-Farm is going to help you do just that. This weekend’s spring fair is a call for an end to pesticides. Homemade food, sweets and drinks will be on offer; and for those who would like to learn more about cleaner fare, there are couple of workshops and a tour around the farm being organised. For the full programme, click here.

Not to be missed:

Opening on Saturday, 7th April: Picasso & Miro Exhibition - Grandmaster's Palace, Valletta. 

And spring brings even more treasures to our shores. Tomorrow sees the opening of a much-anticipated exhibition: that of the works of Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró. This exhibition will be part of a major international project Picasso-Méditerranée, an initiative from Musée National Picasso-Paris, which is an international cultural event, held from spring 2017 to spring 2019. Over 60 cultural institutions have come together to conjure up a programme around the Mediterranean work of Pablo Picasso. Initiated by the Musée National Picasso-Paris, this journey into the creation of the artist and across the places which inspired him, aims at strengthening ties between all the shores. Buy tickets here.

Make it a musical few days:

Friday, 6th April, 6pm – 8pm: Opening Concert - International Spring Orchestra Festival – Teatru Manoel, Valletta.

Showcasing Shostakovich's most profound work, and conducted by Brian Schembri, this is the opening concert of the International Spring Orchestra Festival and will include the participation of established local musicians. During this concert, Shostakovich's 14 Symphony is scored for string orchestra, percussion, soprano and bass solos based on poetry by Apollinaire, Garcia Lorca, Küchelberg and Rilke. For tickets, call 2124 6389. Free for children under 15 and 50 per cent off for students and senior citizens.

Have a good time:

Friday, 6th April, 9pm – 3am: Analogue Agenda VOL. 4 – Funky Monkey, Gzira; Saturday, 7th April, 10pm – 4am: Strictly RNB - Spring Break Edition – Aria Club, San Gwann & Sunday, 8th April, 8pm – 10pm: Kriz Haze Live Acoustic Session – Down the Rabbit Hole, Msida.

Three events this weekend – one on each night – are bound to get you moving. On Friday night, head to Funky Monkey for some electronic music. Electro connoisseurs Wayne Richard and Bjan Jensen will throw two sets to loosen you up. Tickets are 3 euros at the door. Saturday night, think Mexico and make your way to Aria club for their rendition of spring break. Tickets can be bought from here. And, if you still have energy left, enjoy some great music played in a live acoustic session at Down the Rabbit Hotel in Msida. Kriz Haze will be entertaining punters with soft rock, folk and country music covers.

Get yourself cultured:

Friday, 6th April from 6pm to Saturday, Apr 7th at 11pm: Il-Festa il-Kbira – various locations around Valletta.

Feast it, Maltese style. Venture into the capital for this one-off event in which the main four feasts and the two band clubs come together to fill the streets with music and cheer. Set around the celebrative Catholic rituals, you may enjoy the traditional processions featuring the four titular statues of Valletta, the decorations, brass band music and cheer synonymous with the Maltese people. All elements that create the typical Maltese feast. For more information, visit the official page. 

Saturday, 7th April, 5:30pm – 7pm: P A X - The Puzzle That is Peace - Ggantija Temples World Heritage Site, Gozo. 

We could all do with a little peace, and this installation and public performance aims to encourage us to think about the possibilities and opportunities when we have unity. Artist Helene Markstein will be in Malta to perform, together with the Gozo Performance Group, Voci Angeliche, Aurora Youth Choir, Gozo Community Choir and the Gaulitanus Choir. Tickets here.