May in Malta arrives with the first real promise of summer
and with it, a calendar brimming with cultural events worth planning around.
Esplora 10th Anniversary
When: Throughout 2026
Where: Esplora Interactive Science Centre, Kalkara
Esplora is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy daily hands-on experiences, including 200+ interactive exhibits, alongside a programme of special events, themed activities and new initiatives. Designed for all ages, these experiences spark curiosity, creativity and exploration, making STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) come alive in engaging and enjoyable ways for families and the wider public. Keep an eye out for exciting celebrations and events throughout the year.
Malta Biennale 2026
When: 1st - 29th May
Where: Various venues
Themed CLEAN | CLEAR | CUT, the Malta Biennale 2026 runs across historic sites and museums in Valletta, Vittoriosa and Gozo. An initiative of Heritage Malta, the second edition of the contemporary art platform is being held under the helm of artistic director and international curator, Rosa Martínez.
Ċama Ċama
When: 8th - 10th, 15th - 17th May
Where: Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta
As the Maltese summer heat settles over the village, the streets fill with the familiar rhythm of the festa. Yet beneath the colours and music, tension simmers as Christine is forced to confront memories of her childhood friend, while Fr Noel and Fr Clint struggle to balance their faith with the expectations of a divided community.
Firmament
When: 14th May - 28th June
Where: Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta
Visual artist and author Ryan Falzon presents Firmament, a multidisciplinary solo show of paintings, installations and readings. Inspired by the Flammarion Engraving, it unpicks cosmic order, inviting audiences to peer beyond the sky’s illusion into something far stranger.
SummerLust Music Festival
When: 15th, 22nd & 23rd May
Where: Għaxaq Grounds, Għaxaq
Għaxaq turns up the volume with two open-air throwback gigs this May, headlined by 1980s pop icons Kim Wilde and Bonnie Tyler. Expect big hits, bigger vocals and feel-good nostalgia, before a 1990s-fuelled finale caps off this ultimate retro party.
Skald 2/3
When: 16th May
Where: Casa Gourgion, Mdina
Maltese folk-rock outfit Skald bring their original music to Casa Gourgion. Expect Maltese-language favourites with early cuts from a forthcoming third album. With just 20 seats per session, it’s a rare, atmospheric evening inside one of Mdina’s most evocative historic homes.
Unfold
When: 22nd - 24th May
Where: Teatru Manoel, Valletta
Two unique reflections on our world by two visionary choreographers of the moment. In the stark landscape of Nation, lost souls ferociously search for what will come after the end, while Sway explores our burning desire for deep connection through a rebellion of bodies where the energy of the dancers merges with the heartbeat of the audience.
Amelie – The Musical
When: 8th - 17th May
Where: Teatru Manoel, Valletta
Amélie – The Musical is a whimsical and heartwarming stage adaptation of the 2001 French film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Brought to life for the first time in Malta under the direction of Dorothy Bezzina and musical direction by Edward Mifsud, Amélie invites audiences into a world where the extraordinary hides within the ordinary, and dreams are always within reach.
MAY in Birkirkara
The Maltese festa is often known for its decorative grandeur, crowded streets and fireworks that echo late into the night. But before the season reaches its summer peak, there are a handful of more modest feasts that offer a closer look at the traditions, values and community spirit that have shaped Maltese life. Two such feasts are celebrated in Birkirkara in May. The Feast of St Joseph the Worker is a relatively modern addition to the calendar, rooted in a parish established in the 1970s. Celebrated on 1st May, this public holiday marks Workers' Day and reflects the Church's recognition of labour and family life as worthy of devotion. At the heart of the celebrations is a wooden statue carved in 1972 by Maltese artist Emvin Cremona, depicting St Joseph with the Child. Joseph, traditionally believed to be a carpenter, makes for a fitting symbol of dignity in everyday work.
The Feast of Our Lady of Holy Doctrine, celebrated later that same month on 29th May, carries a far older and more layered history. Its origins trace back to an 1820 confraternity dedicated to teaching catechism, with the first recorded procession following in the 1830s. The feast is closely linked to Malta's deep tradition of religious education, in particular to the legacy of the Society of Christian Doctrine (M.U.S.E.U.M.), founded by St George Preca to bring the Catholic faith to children and young people through structured catechism classes. Preca, who was canonised in 2007, devoted his life to making religious education accessible to ordinary people at a time when literacy on the island was far from universal. That legacy is still felt today, with catechism groups and generations of former members participating in the parish celebration.
For a guide to upcoming religious celebrations and traditional feasts across the Maltese Islands, be sure to visit inkontru.app
