Every July, something special happens on the Valletta waterfront. As the sun dips below the Grand Harbour, the outdoor stage outside Our Lady of Liesse Church fills with musicians from around the world — and the Malta Jazz Festival begins. In 2026, this beloved annual event returns from Monday 6th to Saturday 11th July, offering six unforgettable nights of jazz in one of Europe’s most extraordinary settings.
A Festival with a Remarkable History
The Malta Jazz Festival was established in 1990 and has grown steadily into one of the most respected jazz events in the Mediterranean. Unlike many festivals that dilute their programming with pop and rock acts, this one remains committed to jazz in all its forms. As a result, it has earned a reputation among the international jazz community as a truly authentic event.
Over the decades, the festival has welcomed some of the greatest names in jazz history. Artists such as Diana Krall, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Al Di Meola, Richard Bona, and Brad Mehldad have all performed here. Additionally, in recent years the festival has continued to feature the world’s most exciting contemporary jazz voices, making each edition feel both rooted in tradition and forward-looking at the same time.
What Makes This Festival So Special?
The setting alone is worth the visit. Performances take place in an open-air venue on the Valletta waterfront, with the illuminated bastions of the city rising behind the stage and the Grand Harbour stretching out in front. Furthermore, the atmosphere is intimate — this is not a vast stadium event, but rather a gathering of genuine music lovers in a space that feels personal and connected.
The festival also has a strong local dimension. In the weeks leading up to the main event, jazz spills out into the streets of Valletta and other localities through the Jazz on the Fringe programme. Therefore, even before the main festival begins, the city takes on a musical energy that enriches any stay in the capital.
For those new to jazz, the Malta Jazz Festival is an ideal introduction. The programming always balances accessible, groove-driven performances with more adventurous and exploratory sets, so there is something to enjoy regardless of your familiarity with the genre.
Planning Your Visit
Tickets for individual nights are available through Festivals Malta. However, many visitors choose to attend multiple evenings, as the programme varies each night and the overall experience rewards repeat visits. Performances typically begin in the evening, making it easy to spend the day exploring Valletta before heading down to the waterfront for the music.
It is worth noting that the festival tends to draw both locals and international visitors, so accommodation in Valletta fills up quickly during this period. Booking your hotel well in advance is therefore strongly recommended.
Dates: Monday 6th – Saturday 11th July 2026
Venue: Ta’ Liesse, Valletta Waterfront, Valletta
Tickets: Available via festivals.mt — check the website for the full programme closer to the event
Where to Stay for the Malta Jazz Festival
Staying in Valletta puts you right at the heart of the action. The Embassy Valletta Hotel is located on Strait Street — just a short walk from the waterfront stage. As a result, you can enjoy the full festival atmosphere without the stress of late-night transport back to a hotel elsewhere on the island.
After each performance, the capital’s bars and restaurants continue to buzz well into the night. Strait Street in particular offers a lively selection of venues, meaning the evening doesn’t have to end when the final note fades.
Image taken from Yellow Pages.