What happens when you take science out of the lab, art out of the gallery, and bring them both onto the streets of Malta’s capital? You get Science in the City — and on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September 2026, it returns to Triton Square in Valletta for its 15th edition.
The theme this year is “Research, Resist, Reimagine” — a programme built around the idea that research belongs to everyone, not just universities and laboratories. For two evenings, Triton Square transforms into an open-air festival of interactive experiments, hands-on workshops, live performances, art installations, and exhibitions that make complex ideas accessible, entertaining, and genuinely fun.
It is free. It is for all ages. And it happens right at the gates of Valletta.
Event Details
- Event: Science in the City 2026 (15th edition)
- Theme: Research, Resist, Reimagine
- Dates: Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September 2026
- Time: 18:00 to 23:00 both evenings
- Location: Triton Square (Pjazza Tritoni), Valletta
- Admission: Free — no tickets required
- Organised by: University of Malta and the Malta Chamber of Scientists
- Website: scienceinthecity.org.mt
What to Expect
Science in the City is not a lecture. It is a festival. The programme brings together over 90 organisations, 80 researchers, and 600 volunteers to create two nights of discovery that regularly attract more than 33,000 visitors — over 6% of Malta’s entire population.
Here is what fills Triton Square on the night:
Interactive exhibits and experiments — get hands-on with real research. Past editions have covered everything from sharks around Malta’s coastline to forensic DNA analysis, from skincare science to electricity-generating plants. The exhibits are designed to be touched, tested, and questioned.
Live performances — science and art collide. Expect theatre, dance, music, and multimedia performances that use creative storytelling to bring research to life.
Workshops — participate rather than just observe. Workshops run throughout both evenings and cover a range of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) topics, adapted for all ages and abilities.
Exhibitions and installations — visual and immersive experiences that challenge how you think about the world. Installations have previously explored topics like conservation, dark skies, sustainability, and the intersection of heritage and technology.
Sensory-friendly programming — the festival actively works to create inclusive, accessible experiences, including events designed for visitors with sensory sensitivities.
The 2026 Theme: Research, Resist, Reimagine
This year’s theme challenges the idea that research is something that happens behind closed doors. Research invites you to explore how discoveries shape our daily lives. Resist encourages critical thinking and challenges misinformation. Reimagine asks what a better future could look like when science, creativity, and communities work together.
It is an ambitious theme, but the festival has a track record of making big ideas feel personal. Since launching in 2012 with 12,000 attendees, Science in the City has grown into one of the most important public engagement events in Malta — proof that there is a genuine appetite for this kind of experience on the island.
Beyond the Street Festival
The two nights at Triton Square are the centrepiece, but Science in the City runs a wider programme across the year:
Pre-festival events (31 August – 23 September): A series of workshops, talks, and interactive sessions at locations across Malta and Gozo, building momentum toward the main festival. Topics for 2026 include shark conservation, forensic DNA research, skincare science, Malta’s dark skies, and more.
Performance Festival (6–7 November): A second festival in the vaulted chambers of Sala San Duminku on Merchants Street in Valletta, focusing on performances that blend science and the arts. An intimate, atmospheric follow-up to the open-air September event.
Getting There
Triton Square sits directly outside City Gate — the main entrance to Valletta. If you are staying at The Embassy Valletta Hotel on Strait Street, the festival is approximately an 8-minute walk from the hotel. Head up Strait Street or Republic Street toward City Gate, and you will hear the festival before you see it.
Malta Public Transport is running additional late-night bus services on both Friday and Saturday to help visitors travel to and from Valletta. Standard bus routes serve the Valletta Bus Terminus, which is adjacent to Triton Square.
No car is needed — and given the crowds and road restrictions around City Gate on festival nights, public transport or staying in Valletta is the most practical option.
Who Is It For?
Everyone. That is genuinely the answer. Science in the City is designed to engage visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of scientific knowledge. Families with young children will find dedicated hands-on activities. Teenagers and young adults will find workshops and exhibits that connect to real-world issues. Adults will find research presented in ways that are accessible without being dumbed down.
If you have children who are curious about how the world works, or if you are simply looking for something different to do on a September evening in Valletta, this is one of the best free events on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Science in the City 2026?
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September 2026, from 18:00 to 23:00, at Triton Square, Valletta.
Is Science in the City free?
Yes. All activities, exhibits, workshops, and performances are completely free. No tickets or reservations required.
Is it suitable for children?
Absolutely. The festival is designed for all ages, with dedicated hands-on activities for younger visitors. It is one of the best family-friendly events on the Maltese calendar.
Where exactly is it held?
Triton Square (Pjazza Tritoni), directly outside City Gate at the entrance to Valletta. If you are staying at The Embassy Valletta Hotel, it is an 8-minute walk from the hotel.
Are there late buses after the festival?
Yes. Malta Public Transport runs additional late-night services on both festival nights to help visitors get home.
Is there a November event too?
Yes. The Science in the City Performance Festival takes place on 6–7 November 2026 at Sala San Duminku on Merchants Street in Valletta — a more intimate, performance-focused follow-up to the September street festival.
What is the 2026 theme?
“Research, Resist, Reimagine” — exploring how research shapes our lives, how critical thinking resists misinformation, and how we can reimagine a better future together.