As the sun goes down:

Friday, 6th July from 6:30pm: Sunset Tour at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park - Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Visitors Centre, Qrendi.

If you’re not the partying sort (or you need something to do before you hit the dancefloor), why not immerse yourself in the warm glow of the setting sun at one of Malta’s most magical archaeological sites? This sunset tour at Haġar Qim and Mnajdra archaeological park will open your eyes to our forefathers’ intrinsic link to the skies and the stars – something we seem to have lost as the world got faster and the structures more modern.

Friday, 6th July from 5pm – 10pm: Aperol Spirtz in the City – various locations around Valletta.

Aperol Spritz and sunset go together like love and marriage, and those bitter-sweet cocktail kisses can be completely addictive. This Friday, summer’s favourite drink is taking over the capital (yes, even more than usual) with three cafes - Teatru Rjal Café, Kantina Café and Caffe Cordina – not only introducing offers on the cocktail, but also organising film and music sessions to guarantee you stay for another one. 

Make the most of Malta’s outside venues:

Saturday, 7th July from 8pm – 11:30pm: Airport Impressions - Decade - Live in Concert - Ray's Lido, Mellieha.

Airport Impressions have already been around for a full decade! And, in those years, they have climbed the charts and cemented their reputation as one of Malta’s most popular bands, nestling themselves in the mainstream with plenty of radio play. Their 10th anniversary concert is being held this Saturday – with proceeds going to animal sanctuaries – and will include some new material and fan favourites. 

Saturday, 7th July from 10:30pm: S2S | The Penthouse Party - Gianpula Village, Rabat; Saturday, 7th July from 5pm - 11pm: Panthems Rooftop Party - Marco Polo Hostel Malta, St Julian's.

Hit the roof this Saturday with these two! The Marco Polo Hostel will be the first to play host with a ‘watch-the-sun-go-down’ party from 5pm in St Julian’s, which will wrap up almost just in time for you to head to Gianpula Village for their version of a rooftop shindig. Expect drinks, music and fresh air.

Wet, wet, wet:

All weekend from 8pm: Showers 2018 Festival – various locations; Friday, 6th July & Saturday, 7th July from 6pm – midnight: Party Malta Cruises 2018: All Inclusive Boat Party – Sliema.

No, its not umbrella season – quite the opposite actually. Don your swimsuit and let your hair down at this year’s Shower Festival, consisting of four events spread out over the weekend: Bon Voyage at Hugo's Infinity on Friday; the big blow-out at Café del Mar on Saturday with Ruby's Afterparty at Kuromi, followed by detox at SkyBeach on Sunday (though, we’re not quite sure if you’ll be doing any detoxing). If you prefer to rock it on the sea, rather than beside it, Party Malta Cruises is launching its all-inclusive boat parties on Friday, with a repeat on Saturday. They’re promising six hours of open bar for the surprisingly low price of 36 euros – just try not to drink it all at once!

And, now, for something special:

All weekend: Malta International Arts Festival – various locations.

The much-awaited Malta International Arts Festival kicked off with a bang last weekend, with knock-out performances, thought-provoking installations and surprising discoveries packing the days and nights. This weekend check out Aria at the Teatru Manoel by the NoGravity Dance Company which will take to the boards (and above them) in a smorgasbord of dance and music; or take your kids to watch The Wooden Circus by Karromato, in St George’s Square, a puppetry show in the tradition of the European marionette theatre of the 1800s. 

All weekend, with events from 8pm: Victoria International Arts Festival – Victoria, Gozo.

Right across the channel, another arts festival is brewing, one with much heritage and displaying outstanding levels of professionalism. The Victoria International Arts Festival has been going strong for just over 20 years and this year promises to be as exciting as past editions. 

Focus on sustainability:

Sunday, 8th July from 10am – 11:30pm: Turn Trash into treasured toys - Upcycling workshop for kids - Gaia Foundation, Mellieha; Sunday, 8th July from 1pm – 5pm: The Hanger Games - Upcycling workshop for adults - Gaia Foundation, Mellieha.

The Gaia Foundation has done more than its bit in the past to pass on the importance of safeguarding our environment and making sure we institute practices which promote sustainable living. And, this weekend, they’re at it again with two workshops – one for kids and one for adults – designed to teach the art of reusing and upcycling items you would usually throw away. Invaluable lessons for a critical time.