Ian Hinksman
Malta may be small, but when summer rolls around boy you better strap the fuck in and use this music festivals Malta guide to plan it all out.
What once was a laid-back Mediterranean escape has become a pulsating hotspot for some of the world’s most renowned international music festivals. With global brands, top-tier DJs, and genre-defying lineups, 2025 is shaping up to be Malta’s most explosive festival year yet.
Whether you’re a dnb head, an afrobeat ass shaker, or a techno loyalist, there’s a foreign-led festival in Malta this year ready to blow your mind. We’ve made this music festivals Malta guide to breakdown a few international festivals taking Malta by the balls this summer.
Music festivals Malta: Why Malta is becoming Europe’s festival playground
From historic bastions in Valletta to cliffside clubs overlooking the sea, Malta’s venues are as breathtaking as the lineups. The island’s accessibility, English-speaking locals, and warm climate make it a no-brainer for both artists and fans. Plus, with festival-friendly transport and walkable towns, hopping between raves and ruins is effortless.
Adobe on the Rock: UK house culture finds a home in Malta’s festival scene, 19-23 June
Adobe on the Rock is a UK house music festival taking place in Malta and Gozo since 2018. Expect boat parties, poolside sessions, and open-air stages. Some names that attended over the years include East End Dubs, Darius Syrossian and Enzo Siragusa. Prices are medium range for a four-day event. Consider this a boutique festival compared to the others on this music festivals Malta guide.
The Sliema Arts Festival: Where street vibes meet Malta’s music festival spirit, 19-21 July
The Sliema Arts Festival is an event organized on the Sliema seafront by the Local Council. This legendary event took a hiatus of a few years before reigniting again in 2024. Here the Sliema vibe is top notch: a perfect, free, summertime festival on the beach. Follow their Instagram for updates since Maltese festivals have a habit of not updating their websites.
Farsons Beer Festival: A local take on the broader Malta festival circuit, 3-12 July
Farsons Beer Festival is a brew wonderland taking place at Ta’ Qali National Park where local bands like Roza come together to play for larger crowds. A nice mix of genres focused on the alternative, metal and rock side of things. Although, as always on this island, you will find dj’s dropping dirty bass over the course of this ten day festival.
GLITCH: Underground electronic music flagship of music festivals Malta, 13-16 August
GLITCH is the mother of all techno festivals in Malta, if not the Mediterranean. It’s a homegrown event run by the island’s most experienced techno promoters. This festival has mushroomed into insane proportions.
Starting out as a festival in Rabat, GLITCH has expanded, taking over the entirety of the Gianpula Clubbing Complex along with buildup and wind down of smaller parties held throughout the island. They have brought over plenty of insane acts to Malta such as Marlon Hoffstadt, Dax J, Palms Trax and Reinier Zonneveld. The tendency has been moving towards harder, faster techno and trance. Curious? Read about the mad times we’ve spent there.
(WAH) Worried About Henry: Drum & Bass lands loud in Malta’s festival lineup, 5th September
As massive DnB fans ourselves, this is one that we can’t wait to attend! Worried About Henry (WAH) team have gone and launched the first Malta edition of the festival. The line-up itself is enough to melt your face off, with dnb royalty Bru-C, Pola & Bryson, Gardna, LSB & DRS, Lens, P Money and a hell of a lot more set to take over the island more. In short, this is a must attend on the music festivals Malta guide for all you DnB heads.
Defected Malta: House music’s mainstay in the Island’s festival calendar, 3-5 October
Defected Malta is a house music festival by the iconic Defected Records, bringing together some of the best names in the genre for a weekend of top-tier dancing. Spread across Malta’s stunning open-air venues and beachside locations, the festival features a mix of soulful, disco infused, and vocal house sounds. The lineup regularly features heavy hitters like Honey Dijon, Gorgon City, and Peggy Gou, alongside emerging talent from the Defected roster.
Vortex Fest: A laid-back alternative at the beginning of November
Vortex Fest is taking place at Vincent’s Eco Estate, Mġarr, this is a lovely location for a festival. Expect live bands, fun workshops and great chill out sessions. It’s a three-day festival with the option to camp. With climate change, the beginning of November is new October, which means that while there are chances of rain, the weather is perfect for camping. If you enjoy nature and appreciate the free-living vibe, this is the one for you. Follow Vincent’s Eco Estate for updates.
Dalma: Music festivals Malta winter edition as the offseason continues to grow, 6-7 December
Dalma Festival is Malta’s premier winter electronic music event, brought to life by the organizers of GLITCH. Held in the expansive MFCC — usually a conference hall — this indoor festival transforms the venue into a dark, atmospheric space for hardcore techno sounds.
Malta Death Fest: Our final music festivals Malta guide listing for 2025
Our final listing on the music festivals Malta guide for 2025 but as mentioned above Maltese festivals have a habit of not updating their websites/social channels. Although I can’t find exact information on this event going ahead 100%, I’m told through whispers that the sixth of edition of Malta Death Fest is on this year at the end of September.
Bringing the brutal onslaught of metal mayhem for two days.” The festival showcases a lineup of local and international metal bands spanning genres like death metal, black metal, and grindcore. Taking place at the Garage, an intimate and hardcore-friendly venue, it’s a must-visit for metal fans looking for a small, but dedicated scene.
Looking for more?
If so, check out Underground Guide Malta, the travel guide we wrote with the spiciest rec’s this side of the Med.
