Hi,

The Malta Biennale is well into its run now, and this week is a good moment to actually go - performances and workshops are happening across Fort St Elmo and other Heritage Malta sites through Sunday. And if you've been sleeping on the Rising Stars Concert Series at the Malta Spring Festival, you've got until Saturday to fix that.

THIS WEEK IN MALTA

• The Malta Biennale's CLEAN | CLEAR | CUT continues all week at Fort St Elmo in Valletta and Villa Portelli in Kalkara - check heritagemalta.mt for the specific performances and workshops running Tuesday through Sunday.
• The Rising Stars Concert Series wraps up on Saturday 11 April, so this is the last full week to catch up-and-coming Maltese musicians in Valletta before the Malta Spring Festival closes out.
• The days are getting noticeably longer and warmer this week - a good nudge to check the coast before the summer crowds arrive.
• Dave Calleja's REMNANTS - his second solo exhibition exploring empathy - runs its final days in Valletta this week, closing Saturday 12 April. If you haven't been yet, this is genuinely your last window.
• Festa Frawli lands in Mġarr on Sunday 12 April - the annual strawberry festival with gourmet strawberry dishes, artisan stalls, folk music, and free entry. Get there early, it packs out by midday: https://festafrawli.com/

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK: MALTA BIENNALE 2026 - CLEAN | CLEAR | CUT

Malta's first-ever international art biennale is a real milestone, and it's running right now through 29 May - but the weekly events inside it are the thing most people are missing.

This isn't a static exhibition you wander through once. Each week brings performances, lectures, and hands-on workshops spread across some of the most extraordinary Heritage Malta sites on the islands - Fort St Elmo in Valletta, Villa Portelli in Kalkara, and venues in Vittoriosa and Gozo. The theme, CLEAN | CLEAR | CUT, runs through everything with a sharp curatorial focus. My tip: look at the programme before you go, pick one event that genuinely interests you rather than trying to see everything, and give it your full attention. That's how this kind of biennale rewards you.

Details: Ongoing through 29 May 2026, with events this week of 6-12 April - Fort St Elmo, Valletta and Villa Portelli, Kalkara, plus other Heritage Malta sites - https://heritagemalta.mt/whats-on/

WHAT'S ON: 3 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

1. SELFMADE MARKET - VALLETTA - A local artisan market in one of Valletta's best squares, with handmade jewellery, art, home decor, baked goods, and more from Malta's growing maker scene. When: Saturday 11 April 2026, 10am–6pm Where: Pjazza Jean De Valette, Valletta Cost: Free entry Info: Follow NoFaceMT for the full stall lineup and updates. Why go: It's a relaxed Saturday morning out with genuinely good local products, and the square is one of Valletta's nicest spots to sit with a coffee between browsing. The kind of thing that makes living here feel different from just passing through.
2. MALTA SPRING FESTIVAL - RISING STARS CONCERT SERIES - Local musicians on a major Valletta stage, and this is your last week to see them. When: 7-11 April 2026, various times Where: Various venues, Valletta Cost: Check maltaspringfestival.com for pricing Tickets/info: https://www.maltaspringfestival.com/ Why go: There's a real warmth to watching Maltese talent perform at home - this series has a different feel from the headline acts, and it's the kind of thing worth supporting before it wraps Saturday.
3. PACEVILLE WEEKEND - BAD BUNNIES AT TOY ROOM - One of this season's fastest-selling club nights, happening Friday and Saturday in St Julian's. When: Friday 10 and Saturday 11 April 2026 Where: Toy Room, TwentyTwo, Sky Club, Hugo's Hotel - Paceville, St Julian's Cost: Often free or 10-20 euros with a drink included Tickets/info: HERE Why go: Bad Bunnies at Toy Room is one of the nights that actually sells out - go Friday if you want the better energy before the weekend crowd peaks.

Tip: Save or screenshot this section so you've got your week sorted in 10 seconds.

COMING UP - BOOK AHEAD

1. CAFE DEL MAR SEASON OPENING - DISTRICT ft. BEYOND CHICAGO - This is the unofficial signal that Malta's outdoor summer has started, and it sells out every year without exception. When: Friday 18 April 2026 Where: Cafe del Mar, St Paul's Bay Tickets: HERE. Note: This one genuinely sells out - book now and don't wait for the week of.
2. EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES AT GHAJN TUFFIEHA - A free community day at one of Malta's most beautiful stretches of coast, worth marking now before it slips by. When: Around 22 April 2026 (Earth Day weekend) Where: Ghajn Tuffieha, Malta Tickets: Free. Info HERE. Keep an eye on local listings closer to the date Note: No booking required, but go early - Ghajn Tuffieha fills up fast on a sunny April weekend.
3. MUSEUMS BY CANDLELIGHT - BIRGU - Heritage Malta opens Fort St Angelo, the Inquisitor's Palace, and - for the first time - St Lawrence Church and Museum, all lit by 15,000 candles. Live harp at the Palace, live music at the Fort, an In Guardia re-enactment march through the streets, and artisan stalls along the waterfront. When: Saturday 18 April 2026, 7pm–midnight Where: Fort St Angelo, Inquisitor's Palace, and St Lawrence Church & Museum - Birgu Tickets: €3 for all three sites - buy online or at the door Book: HERE. Note: The Barrakka Lift and Valletta ferry run extended hours until midnight for this one. Traditional dgħajjes services too. Go.
4. AMÉLIE THE MUSICAL - Six performances of the beloved Parisian story, staged at Teatru Manoel in Valletta. This is the kind of production that fills up quietly and then suddenly you can't get a ticket. When: 8th, 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th & 17th May 2026 Where: Teatru Manoel, Valletta Tickets: On sale now Book: https://teatrumanoel.mt Note: If you're the type who always says "I should go to Teatru Manoel more" - this is the one. Book now, thank yourself later.

WHERE TO GO: TRATTORIA IX-XATBA IN MELLIEHA

A newly opened family-run Italian trattoria in Ghajdira, Mellieha - the kind of relaxed neighbourhood place the north of the island has been quietly needing for a while. If you're heading up that way for a beach day or an afternoon walk, this is the right spot to book a table. Good for families, good for a long lunch without the Valletta prices.

Location: Ghajdira, Mellieha Hours: Check directly with the restaurant - newly opened, hours may still be settling. Their Instagram.

GET INVOLVED: VOLUNTEERS MALTA IS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE READY TO GIVE A FEW HOURS

Volunteers Malta is the main national portal connecting people with voluntary organisations across the island - from animal welfare and environmental work to social and humanitarian causes. Right now there are 84 active listings, which means whatever your availability or skill set, there's almost certainly something that fits. It's free, it's flexible, and it's one of the quickest ways to actually feel connected to Malta rather than just living in it.

How to join: Browse all 84 open opportunities at https://volunteersmalta.com/listings/ and apply directly through the site.

QUICK HITS

• Three restaurants were added to the MICHELIN Guide Malta in 2025 - La Pira, Risette, and The Seafood Grill - worth knowing if you're planning a dinner out and want a solid starting point: find here.
• Save the date: Cafe del Mar season opening on 18 April - DISTRICT and Beyond Chicago at the infinity pool. Mark it now.
• Local gem: Ghajn Tuffieha on a weekday morning before 10am is a completely different beach from the weekend version - quieter, cooler, and the water is the same colour.
• Sound of Falling is showing at Spazju Kreattiv Cinema this week (8th and 11th April) - a Cannes prize-winner tracking four girls across a century in one German farmhouse. 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. If you see one film this month, make it this one: https://www.kreattivita.org/en/events/

YOUR TURN

Know a great event, venue, or community project that should be here next week? -> Just hit reply and tell me in 1-2 sentences.

Question of the week: What's the one spot in Malta you'd take a first-time visitor this April - and why? -> Hit reply - I'll feature the best answers (first name only) next week.

Cheers,

Simone

MaltaLife - bringing Malta's best to your inbox every Monday Instagram: @maltalifenews

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