Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545722
Malta Jazz Festival 2026 - Opening Concert Date: 6 July Location: Valletta Campus Theatre VCT (Ex MITP), Merchants Street, Valletta, Malta Opening the festival, this special project led by Dominic Galea celebrates a golden era in Maltese jazz history. The concert revisits works from the late 1960s to early 1980s, spotlighting composers such as Charles Camilleri, Ray Agius, Antoine Bonnici Soler, Lino Cauchi, Paul Abela, and Sammy Galea. Titular Feast of St. Joseph Kalkara (Sagra Familja) Date: 8-18 July Location: 80 Rinella, Kalkara, Malta Featuring Circolo San Giuseppe Filarmonika Sagra Familja, the week is brought to life with lively festive band marches, intricate street decorations, and spectacular fireworks reflecting over the picturesque harbor. A truly unique occasion where culture, tradition, and community spirit meet. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Grand Harbour, this titular feast is a magnificent blend of religious devotion, community pride, and artistic expression. Hidden Goddesses: Unseen Paintings by Giorgio Preca Date: 9 July Location: National Museum of Archaeology, Republic Street, Valletta, Malta Hidden Goddesses: Unseen Paintings by Giorgio Preca runs until 4th October 2026, and admission is included in the National Museum of Archaeology experience. Funland Thursdays Date: 9 July Location: Marsalforn Promenade, Marsalforn Promenade, Marsalforn, Zebbug Join us at the Marsalforn waterfront for a vibrant free community event featuring live music, live painting, local demonstrations, and fun-filled activities for all ages. Children can enjoy bouncing castles, pony rides, zip lines, and games, while adults relax by the seafront and soak up the lively atmosphere and community spirit. Motown & Soul Date: 10 July Location: Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Valletta, Malta Enjoy lush orchestral arrangements of iconic hits as soaring strings, vibrant brass, and driving rhythms bring new life to timeless favourites by The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Otis Redding, Wilson Picket, Aretha Franklin, and Ben E. King among others, performed live by the Malta Concert Orchestra under the direction of maestro Joe Brown. A truly uplifting evening to be enjoyed on a Maltese summer night. Qala Autofest Date: 11 July Location: Qala Main Road, Mgarr Road, Il-Qala Qala Autofest celebrates automotive heritage with a stunning showcase of classic and vintage vehicles, roaring engines, and timeless design. From meticulously restored icons to rare motoring gems, the event brings together passionate enthusiasts for a journey through craftsmanship, innovation, and style. Flames Across The Meadows Date: 11 July Location: Triq il-Kalandrijiet, Triq il- Kalandrijiet, Ta' Kercem Enjoy a spectacular evening of traditional fireworks, featuring a stunning display followed by an impressive ground show and aerial finale at midnight. This event celebrates Malta's rich fireworks tradition with colour, sound, and craftsmanship. Cruising to Filfla Date: 12 July Location: Sliema Ferries Terminal, Sliema, Malta Discover Filfla's fascinating history, unique wildlife and dramatic coastline on a scenic boat trip. Then cruise through Malta's Grand Harbour, exploring centuries of maritime heritage, iconic fortifications and spectacular views of the historic harbour and surrounding cities. Nature Notebook THE fifth episode of the FoEM podcast is out! Our Zero Waste Campaigner Beth Fiteni has a chat with Darryl Gri- ma, the Founder of Veggy Malta. Together, they explore the themes of Sustainable Food Choices in Malta. An organization committed to advocacy, education, empowerment, and inspiring positive lifestyle changes. By fostering awareness and knowledge, Veggy Malta aims to drive the shift towards a cruelty-free, eco-conscious, and inclusive society for the benefit of people, animals, and the planet. He leads a passionate group of advocates, creators, and visionaries dedicated to promoting plant-based living, animal rights, and sustaina- bility through a TV show and various other media initiatives. Green idea of the week 1028 Don't miss this Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member 1028. Pallid swift ONE bird that began nesting in Malta in recent years is the pallid swift (rundun kannelli). As their name implies, swifts are fast-flying creatures and the undisputed masters of the air – I mean, many birds feed while flying, others also display and fool around in flight, but these guys actually sleep on the wing! We get three regular mi- grant species of swift, two of which now also breed: the common swift and the pallid swift, both very similar but the latter slightly paler; they are also similar in habits, food and habitat. Pallid swifts nest in cracks in cliffs, caves or high buildings, seeming to prefer coastal areas. BirdLife Malta first confirmed pallid swifts nesting in 2009, and their breeding range is so far restricted to a few sites. Our pallid swifts spend winter in Africa, but they're here for summer! 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 JULY 2026 ALMANAC Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti (Photo) Listen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/epi- sode/0Wv0Rbfp1a8G47YCfIVTFL?si=97d295489d564f25 Fifth episode of FoEM Podcast: Sustainable Food Choices in Malta with Darryl Grima Zabbar Beer Fest Date: TODAY Location: Notre Dame Hall, Zabbar, Malta Zabbar Beer Fest 2026 returns for its biggest edition yet beneath Cottonera's historic bastions. Enjoy two nights of live entertainment featuring ATB and Achtung Babies, local artists, local and international beers, food stalls, beer games, family activities and a kids' area.