Hi,

Two big nights this Friday and Saturday that are hard to ignore: Zamna brings its full open-air production to Gianpula Village for two nights of serious electronic music, and Kim Wilde takes the outdoor stage in Ghaxaq on Friday with a free general entrance show that feels like a proper summer kickoff. Pick one or go to both - the week is being generous.

THIS WEEK IN MALTA

- VeganFest Malta is on this Saturday and Sunday at Ta' Qali National Park - free entry, food stalls, wellness sessions and a kids' area all in one place. Worth an afternoon.

- The Paymix Pro ITF Masters tennis tournament runs all week at Marsa Sports Club, with international players competing across age-category draws daily from 09:00.

- May is starting to feel properly summery, which means outdoor venues are filling up fast - if you've been putting off booking anything for June or July, this is the week to stop putting it off.

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK: ZAMNA MALTA 2026

Two nights of open-air electronic music at Gianpula Village, and this one isn't a small local affair. Zamna brings its full large-scale production - the kind usually seen at Tulum or Ibiza residencies - to the limits of Rabat, with an international crowd to match.

Gianpula Village is already one of the best outdoor settings for a night out in Malta, but with Zamna's production layered on top, this is a different thing entirely. Doors open at 18:00 both Friday and Saturday, so arriving early actually makes sense here - the space feels different before midnight. Check ticket availability before you go, prices are TBC but these nights do fill.

Details: 15-16 May 2026, doors 18:00 - Gianpula Village, limits of Rabat - tickets are here.

WHAT'S ON: 3 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

1. KIM WILDE LIVE IN CONCERT - a free outdoor show to open the Summerlust season, and it's Kim Wilde doing the 80s hits in a field in Ghaxaq, which is exactly as fun as it sounds.

  When: Friday 15 May 2026, 20:30

  Where: Ghaxaq Grounds, Ghaxaq

  Cost: Free general entrance; VIP/seated from around 15 euros to 50 euros

  Tickets/info: here.

  Why go: Free entry to a proper outdoor concert on a May evening - this is how summer should start.

2. VEGANGFEST MALTA 2026 - a full weekend plant-based festival at Ta' Qali that's worth going to even if you're not vegan, purely for the food stalls and the atmosphere.

  When: Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2026, daytime (check programme for times)

  Where: Ta' Qali National Park, Oak Tree Circle, Ta' Qali

  Cost: Free

  Info: here.

  Why go: Free, outdoors, genuinely good food options, and an easy way to spend a weekend afternoon without spending much.

3. A MADRIGAL JOURNEY - KorMalta Ensemble performing Renaissance and contemporary choral works in one of Valletta's most beautiful small churches, at a Saturday lunchtime price that's hard to argue with.

  When: Friday 15 May 2026, 12:00

  Where: Church of St Catherine of Italy, Valletta

  Cost: 12 euros general / 10 euros concession

  Tickets/info: here.

  Why go: An hour of live choral music in a gorgeous Valletta church for 12 euros - this is one of those things you'll be glad you made time for.

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

COMING UP - BOOK AHEAD

1. SCORPIONS LIVE IN MALTA - a full arena rock show at MFCC, and this is the kind of event that sells out in tiers, with the cheapest standing tickets likely going first.

  When: Tuesday 16 June 2026, 18:00

  Where: MFCC Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, Ta' Qali, Attard

  Tickets: Standing from 75 euros; seated from 80 euros; VIP up to 120 euros

  Book: here.

  Note: Standing tickets at 75 euros are the ones to grab first - these will go.

2. DLT MALTA 2026 - THE LAST DANCE - the final edition of Days Like This Malta, a four-day R&B and soul island festival with Brandy headlining, and "final edition" means no next year to fall back on.

  When: Thursday 4 - Sunday 7 June 2026

  Where: Various venues around St Paul's Bay

  Tickets: here.

  Note: This is the last one ever - worth booking as soon as you can.

WHERE TO GO: LIFESTYLE GROUP'S NEW ST GEORGE'S BAY DINING DESTINATION IN ST JULIAN'S

A multi-venue waterfront development is launching this summer at St George's Bay, with seven restaurants, bars and a beach club all in one spot. One of the confirmed concepts is Matto, an all-day Italian open pizza kitchen with indoor and outdoor seating right over the bay.

If you like eating somewhere with an actual view and a reason to stay for a few hours, this is worth keeping an eye on for the summer. Perfect for a long Sunday afternoon that drifts into the evening.

Location: St George's Bay, St Julian's

Hours: Opening summer 2026 - follow for launch dates

Find them: here.

GET INVOLVED: ISLAND SANCTUARY ASSOCIATION IS LOOKING FOR DOG SANCTUARY VOLUNTEERS

The Island Sanctuary at Fort Tas-Silg in Delimara takes in abandoned dogs and relies entirely on volunteers to keep things running day to day. They need people for the morning team - feeding, cleaning and general care for the dogs.

It's physical, outdoor work and it's the kind of morning that'll put everything else in perspective. No experience needed, just reliability. If you have a free morning each week and want to do something that matters directly to animals that have no one else, this is it.

How to join: here.

QUICK HITS

- Bigbon Group is bringing Bershka, Pull&Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho and Massimo Dutti to Shoreline Mall in Kalkara across 2026 and early 2027 - five flagship stores, one new shopping destination on the Grand Harbour side. More here.

- Save the date: Malta International Arts Festival runs 12-21 June 2026 across Manoel Theatre, the Grand Master's Palace and other Valletta heritage sites - ten days of music, theatre, dance and installations. Full programme here.

- Local gem: If you're going to VeganFest at Ta' Qali this weekend, the Oak Tree Circle area is shaded and tends to stay cooler in the afternoon - start there rather than working your way to it later.

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 your go-to spot in Malta when you want a proper outdoor lunch with a view - the one you actually go back to?

-> 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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