Hi ,

Two things catch my eye this week. Friday night at Pjazza Teatru Rjal, the Malta Concert Orchestra is playing cartoon theme songs from the 80s and 90s - I Puffi, Kiss Me Licia, Il Grande Mazinga - open-air, in Valletta. Pure nostalgia, and the setting alone is worth it. And if you fancy something sharper, also on Friday, "Press Mute" - the sold-out satirical show about media and journalism - gets one last night at Teatru Salesjan before heading to Italy.

THIS WEEK IN MALTA

- The Ta' Qali Farmers Market runs both Tuesday and Saturday this week - 30 stalls, all Maltese produce, and early September still means good seasonal fruit and veg at honest prices.

- Gozo's Xewkija Windmill has a free art exhibition on through Monday the 21st - if you're crossing over this week, it's an easy detour worth making.

- September light is still doing its thing in the mornings - a good week to get out early, especially if you're heading to Ta' Qali on Tuesday before the stalls start winding down.

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK: INDIFEST - INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS AT THE GRANARIES

The Granaries in Floriana is the backdrop this Friday through Sunday for Indifest, the Nationalist Party's Independence Day celebrations - back at Il-Fosos for the first time in eight years, running right up to Independence Day itself on Monday 21 September.

The programme mixes musical performances, discussions, and a dedicated children's area, which makes this genuinely a family evening rather than just a political gathering. The Granaries is one of Malta's most dramatic open spaces - that wide limestone expanse holds a crowd well and gives the whole thing a proper sense of occasion. Entry is free across all three nights, so there's no reason not to at least wander down on one of the evenings and take in the atmosphere. Friday and Saturday nights tend to be livelier if you want the full crowd energy; Sunday rolls straight into the national holiday.

Details: Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September 2026, running through to Independence Day Monday 21 September - Il-Fosos (the Granaries), Floriana - here

WHAT'S ON: 5 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

Monday

- Strange Rocks by Mary DeBrincat - a solo exhibition at a genuinely striking venue: a working windmill in the heart of Gozo, and this is your last week to catch it.

When: On view through Monday 21 September 2026

Where: Xewkija Windmill, Ix-Xewkija, Gozo

Cost: Free

Tickets/info: here

Friday

- Press Mute (Udjenza) - sharp, satirical Maltese theatre about the media, one night only before it heads to Italy, and it already sold out its Spazju Kreattiv run for good reason.

When: Friday 18 September 2026

Where: Teatru Salesjan, Sliema

Cost: 20 to 25 euros

Tickets/info: here

- Cartoni Animati - Malta Concert Orchestra - the MCO plays 80s and 90s cartoon theme tunes live in the open air on Republic Street; bring anyone who grew up watching Italian cartoons.

When: Friday 18 September 2026, time TBC - check ticketline for updates

Where: Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Republic Street, Valletta

Cost: Price TBC

Tickets/info: here

Saturday

- Ta' Qali Farmers Market - around 30 stalls selling exclusively Maltese produce direct from the farmers: gbejniet, seasonal veg, honey, bigilla - go early, it winds down by early afternoon.

When: Saturday 19 September 2026, from 07:00 (to approx. 15:00)

Where: Ta' Qali Crafts Village (Pitkalija site), Ta' Qali, near Attard

Cost: Free entry

Info: here

- FUNKYTOWN - Vibes to Bamboo: 80s and 90s End of Summer - Chris Funkytown, DJ Sue, and Pierre B close out the summer with an all-80s-and-90s night; reliably fun, unpretentious, and only 10 euros in.

When: Saturday 19 September 2026, into the early hours of Sunday 20th

Where: Ex-Vibes / Liquid, San Gwann

Cost: 10 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. Elena Gabrielle - Disturb The Vibe - live comedy and cabaret from an internationally touring act, two nights running in Valletta; strictly 18+, and details are still being confirmed so check before you buy.

When: Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September 2026

Where: Malta Society of Arts, Valletta

Cost: Price TBC

Info: here

2. Hamrun Chocolate Festival 2026 - artisan chocolate, live sculpting demonstrations, and a high street that gets properly packed by evening; the sculptures are the real draw and they go fast.

When: Saturday 17 October 2026

Where: Strada Rjali (St Joseph High Street), Hamrun

Cost: Free entry (pay for what you eat)

Info: here

SEASON AHEAD - BOOK NOW

1. Salome by Oscar Wilde - a full staged production of Wilde's Salome at Teatru Manoel, running alongside a Strauss concert staging six days later; this is a proper theatrical event and Manoel sells out.

When: Opens 6 November 2026 (16+)

Where: Teatru Manoel, Valletta

Tickets: Price TBC

Book: here

Note: Teatru Manoel productions regularly sell out - book early.

2. Klassi Ghalina: The Roadshow 11 - one of Malta's best-loved comedy roadshows, and six of the eight scheduled dates are already gone; only two nights remain.

When: Friday 20 November 2026, 20:00 and Saturday 21 November 2026, 20:00 (16+)

Where: City Theatre, South Street, Valletta

Tickets: Check ticketline for pricing

Book: here

Note: Six of eight dates already sold out - these two remaining nights will go.

3. The Comedy Knights - Malta's best-known annual Christmas comedy show; 2026 dates haven't been announced yet, but they always sell out and always faster than you expect.

When: Dates TBC

Where: TBC

Tickets: TBC

Book: here

Note: Watch the page - once dates drop, tickets go within days.

4. Aladdin fix-Xow il-Kbir! - a family Christmas pantomime with only four performances at a small theatre; the seat map is already showing sold blocks and it's still months away.

When: Friday 11 December 19:00 / Saturday 12 December 19:00 / Sunday 13 December 10:00 and 17:00

Where: Theatre St Vincent de Paul, Hal Luqa

Tickets: 18.87 euros + 1.13 euros booking fee (20 euros total)

Book: here

Note: Only four performances, small venue, already selling - book now if you have kids.

WHERE TO GO: SAKURA TO SEA COFFEE STUDIO IN SLIEMA

Sakura to Sea Coffee Studio and Archivenir is a new specialty coffee spot at Lazy Corner in Sliema, roasting their own beans in-house and selling a small, self-designed range of Malta-themed merch alongside. It's the kind of place that feels considered rather than rushed - good coffee, no fluff.

If you care about what's actually in your cup, this is worth a detour. The merch side (the "Archivenir" part) is aimed at design-conscious locals and visitors who want something better than a fridge magnet - so it's a useful spot to know about if you have friends visiting later in the year.

Location: Lazy Corner, Sliema

Hours: Check their Instagram for current opening times

Find them: here

GET INVOLVED: RIGHTS IS LOOKING FOR KIDS' MENTORS

RIGHTS (Regional Interactive Guiding Hub and Training Society) is a children's services organisation based in Floriana that works with kids across several localities around Malta. They're currently looking for adult mentors - anyone 18 or over - to spend regular time with children in their network.

If you have a few hours a month and want to make a concrete difference to a local kid's week, this is a straightforward way to do it. No specialist background required - just reliability and genuine interest in showing up.

How to join: here

QUICK HITS

- The Ta' Qali Farmers Market also runs this Tuesday 15 September from 07:00 - a mid-week option if Saturday mornings don't work for you.

- Save the date: The Hamrun Chocolate Festival lands on Saturday 17 October - a proper local street festival, free to attend, and the chocolate sculptures are worth seeing before the crowds arrive by evening.

- Local gem: Pjazza Teatru Rjal on a Friday evening before a show is one of the nicest spots in Valletta right now - the heat has dropped just enough to sit outside, and the square is quieter than it will be again come spring.

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:

Malta celebrates Independence Day on Monday the 21st - what does the date actually mean to you, whether you're a local or an expat? Do you mark it in any way?

-> 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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