Hi,

Two things on my radar this week. On Tuesday evening, head down to the Valletta Waterfront for Cagliostro & the Pirate Queen - a free 20-minute outdoor spectacle on the promenade that brings Malta's maritime legends to life. Short, sharp, and completely free. Then on Friday, Sooshi Mango bring their Australian-Italian comedy show to Rabat - if you've ever watched the trio's migrant-family sketches online, seeing them live is something else entirely.

THIS WEEK IN MALTA

- designMT 2026 opens today at Valletta Design Cluster - contemporary craft, product design and creative work, running all week and free to walk in.

- Families with kids who love robots, 3D printing and getting their hands on things: Maker Faire Malta lands at Esplora in Kalkara from Friday - Malta's first ever, and worth planning ahead for the weekend.

- Early October in Malta tends to bring that first real shift in the weather - cooler evenings, less crowd pressure at most venues. It's a good week to be out.

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK: NOTTE BIANCA 2026

One night a year, Valletta stops being a daytime city. This Saturday from 7pm, every museum, gallery, courtyard and performance space in the capital throws its doors open and stays that way until midnight - all free, all at once.

Notte Bianca is the kind of event that rewards wandering. Don't try to plan it too tightly. Start near the upper end of Republic Street, let the music and light pull you in different directions, and see where you end up. Concerts, installations, extended museum access, street performances - the whole capital is the venue. It gets busy around 9pm in the main squares, so arriving closer to 7pm gives you the first hour at a different pace. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring cash for the food stalls.

Details: Saturday 3 October 2026, 19:00-23:59 - multiple locations across Valletta - here

WHAT'S ON: 7 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

Monday

- designMT 2026 - Malta's main design expo is open all week at Valletta Design Cluster, showcasing contemporary craft, product design and creative work, with extended hours on Saturday for Notte Bianca.

When: Monday 28 September, 10:00-20:00 (runs through 2 October; extended to 23:00 on 3 October)

Where: Valletta Design Cluster, Valletta

Cost: Free

Tickets/info: here

Tuesday

- Cagliostro & the Pirate Queen - a free outdoor spectacle on the Waterfront promenade that packs Malta's maritime legends into about 20 minutes of live performance.

When: Tuesday 29 September 2026, 19:30

Where: Central promenade, Valletta Waterfront, Floriana

Cost: Free

Tickets/info: here

Wednesday

- Malta U21 v Germany U21 - Malta hosts Germany in its final home qualifier for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship; good football at a very accessible price.

When: Wednesday 30 September 2026, 18:00

Where: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali

Cost: Adults 10 euros; seniors and concessions 6 euros

Tickets/info: here

Friday

- Sooshi Mango - Home Made World Tour Live in Malta - the Australian-Italian comedy trio bring their character-driven migrant-family humour and impressions to Rabat for three shows across the weekend.

When: Friday 2 October 2026, 20:00 (also Saturday 3 October at 16:00 and 20:00)

Where: St Agatha's Auditorium, Rabat

Cost: 50 euros

Tickets/info: here

- Maker Faire Malta 2026 - Malta's first Maker Faire brings robotics, AI, 3D printing, engineering demos and hands-on family workshops to Esplora for a full weekend.

When: Friday 2 October through Sunday 4 October 2026, 10:00-16:00 daily (Friday morning primarily for schools)

Where: Esplora Interactive Science Centre, Kalkara

Cost: Adults 12 euros; ages 3-15 10 euros; under 3 free; seniors 60+ and accessibility tickets 6 euros (excluding booking fees)

Tickets/info: here

Saturday

- Puerto Flamenco - live flamenco dance, guitar, singing and percussion from Francesca Grima, Andrej Vujicic and a company with roots in Seville's tablao scene.

When: Saturday 3 October 2026, 20:00 (also Friday 2 October at 20:00)

Where: Teatru Salesjan, Sliema

Cost: 20-300 euros

Tickets/info: here

Sunday

- The OASI Cup Run and Fun Walk - 12th Edition - 5 km and 10 km races, buddy runs, a family walk and children's races in the heart of Victoria, Gozo; a proper community morning out.

When: Sunday 4 October 2026, 07:45-12:00

Where: Republic Street, Victoria, Gozo

Cost: 8-40 euros (standard 5 km walk 10 euros; family walk 20 euros; group walk 30 euros)

Tickets/info: here

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

COMING UP + BOOK AHEAD

NEXT 30 DAYS

1. Malta Comic Con 2026 - two full days of comics, cosplay, anime, gaming, tabletop and an artist market at Ta' Qali; kids under 10 get in free.

When: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2026; priority entry from 10:00, general opening from 11:00

Where: Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, Ta' Qali

Cost: One day 15 euros plus 1.20 euros fee; two days 25 euros plus 2 euros fee; children 10 and under free

Info: here

2. Halloween Eco Market - sustainable vendors, artisan products and a Halloween theme right at the entrance to Valletta over the last days of October.

When: Thursday 29 October through Sunday 1 November 2026; opening times TBC

Where: Triton Square, Valletta

Cost: Free

Info: here

3. Your Finest Second Cheapest Wine Please - Mustafa Algiyadi performs 90 minutes of English-language stand-up new material in an intimate Valletta venue; 13 euros online is a very good deal.

When: Sunday 1 November 2026; doors 18:30, show 19:00-20:30

Where: Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta

Cost: From 13 euros online; 25 euros at the door

Info: here

SEASON AHEAD - BOOK NOW

1. "Too Soon To Tell" Album Launch Concert - Andrew Vella Zarb launches his debut album live with an ensemble and string quartet; one night only in an intimate Valletta room.

When: Friday 13 November 2026, 20:00

Where: Malta Society of Arts, Valletta

Tickets: 20 euros

Book: here

Note: Single-night show in a small venue - likely to sell out well in advance.

2. Naples: Voice, Music & Soul - World Premiere with Balletto di Milano, La Scala Singers & Live Italia - a one-night world premiere combining Neapolitan music, ballet and operatic voices at the MCC; the higher-tier seats at 85 euros are genuinely worth it for the room.

When: Sunday 15 November 2026, 19:30

Where: Republic Hall, Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta

Tickets: 49-85 euros

Book: here

Note: World premiere, one night only - best seats will go fast.

3. PLAYCON 2026 - Malta's major gaming, esports, game-development and cosplay expo returns for its sixth edition; registration is free so there's no reason not to sign up now.

When: Friday 20 through Sunday 22 November 2026; opening programme from 10:30 on 20 November

Where: Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, Ta' Qali

Tickets: Free registration

Book: here

Note: Free entry but register ahead - this one draws a crowd.

4. Dalma Festival 2026 - two nights of techno with Jeff Mills, DVS1, I Hate Models, Rodhad and Anetha; if you're into this music at all, this is the lineup of the year for Malta.

When: Friday 4 and Saturday 5 December 2026, 17:30-04:00 each night

Where: Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, Ta' Qali

Tickets: Three-month payment plan advertised from 27.12 euros per month; full price TBC

Book: here

Note: Payment plan available now for early buyers - lock it in before the price rises.

WHERE TO GO: MAGNA GRECIA IN HAZ-ZEBBUG

Magna Grecia - Cucina & Estiatorio opened in Haz-Zebbug in mid-September and it's already one of the more interesting openings of the year - an adults-only restaurant combining Greek culinary heritage with Italian cooking in a small, considered space in the centre of the village.

If you're after something quieter than Valletta or Sliema with food that actually has a point of view, this is the one to try. It's made for a slow dinner for two.

Location: 10 Scioritino Square, Haz-Zebbug

Hours: Check their page for current service times

Find them: here

GET INVOLVED: MIGRANT WOMEN ASSOCIATION MALTA IS LOOKING FOR A COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS LEAD

Migrant Women Association Malta supports migrant women living in Malta - through advocacy, community building and practical resources for women navigating life in a new country.

They're looking for someone to lead their communications, social media, public relations and event promotion. It's roughly 15 hours a month, which makes it genuinely manageable alongside other commitments - ideal if you have a background in comms, PR or events and want to put it to good use.

How to join: here

QUICK HITS

- Notte Bianca draws serious crowds into Valletta from around 9pm - if you're driving, park outside the city centre and walk in; Floriana fills up fast too.

- Save the date: Malta Comic Con is on 10 and 11 October at Ta' Qali - two days, kids under 10 get in free, and single-day tickets start at 15 euros.

- Local gem: The Esplora terrace in Kalkara has one of the best views of the Grand Harbour from the Cottonera side - if you're heading to Maker Faire this weekend, arrive a few minutes early and take it in before the doors open.

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.

Want MaltaLife to feature your business or event?

-> Reply with "SPONSOR" and I'll send the details.

Question of the week:

Notte Bianca - do you plan it in advance or just wander and see where you end up?

-> 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

Know someone who'd love this?

-> Forward this email.