Malta’s 2025 festival season should be at the top of your bucket list if you want the perfect mix of sun, sea, and sound. This Mediterranean gem has become a huge name in the music world, showcasing huge acts like David Guetta, Carl Cox, Zara Larsson, and Afrojack in beautiful places like old city squares, open-air clubs, and beachfront stages.
In 2025, Malta will be one of the best places in Europe to go to a music festival. Here are five that you shouldn’t miss, whether you want to see techno sunrises or shout along to pop songs.
1. MTV Island Malta: Pop Power in the Middle of the Island
Date: July 15, 2025
Location: Il-Fosos Square, Floriana.
Isle of MTV Malta is Europe’s biggest free open-air concert, and it’s back for another record-breaking year. Martin Garrix, Lady Gaga, Rita Ora, and Jason Derulo have all been headliners in the past. The 2025 edition starts MTV Music Week, which means a whole week of beach parties, club nights, and special activities all around the island. Alok, Damiano David, and Ella Henderson are all on the list.
Why go?
- It’s completely free (with registration)
- The vibe is huge but accessible
- It launches a week-long party across Malta’s top clubs like UNO Malta and Sky Club
2. World Club Dome – Island Edition
Dates: August 1–2, 2025
Venues: Gianpula Village, Café del Mar, and boat parties
World Club Dome is taking over some of Malta’s most famous locations, bringing EDM and luxury together. Think of rave parties on boats at sunset, house sets by the pool at Café del Mar, and pounding techno in Gianpula Village‘s open-air venues.
Confirmed headliners for 2025:
- Afrojack
- Benny Benassi
- Bossi Stella
- Sam Paganini
- Argy
This is where the excitement of Ibiza meets the underground of Berlin, all set against the beautiful shoreline of Malta.
3. Glitch Festival: For the Real Techno Fans
Dates: August 13–16, 2025
Venues: Valletta, Gianpula Village, and Sliema (for boat parties)
Glitch is one of the most respected underground music festivals in Europe, and it brings a lot of electronic firepower. Amelie Lens, Bicep, Carl Cox, I Hate Models, and Dax J are just a few of the famous people that have played at past events.
What to expect:
- Sets of raw techno, acid house, electro, and melodic music
- Beautifully made stages in ancient places
- A loyal crowd from all across the world
Start in Valletta for the first night, then party all night at Gianpula, and end on a boat off the shore of Sliema. Anthea, Bad Boombox, Bella Claxton, Carv, and others are all on this year’s list.
4. Summer Daze Malta: A Festival of Chart-Topping Hits That Everyone Will Love
Dates: August 11–17, 2025
Co-hosted by BBC Radio 1 and Creamfields, Summer Daze offers a mix of commercial house, reggaeton, and pop. Past years have featured Zara Larsson, G-Eazy, Meduza, and Sigala. 2025 is set to include Central Cee, Jeremiah Asiamah, Bob Sinclar, DJ Hellen, amongst others.
This is where you’ll dance in a sea of glow sticks, palm trees, and good vibes.
Great for fans of:
- Radio-friendly dance anthems
- Tropical festival settings
- Big visual productions and social crowd energy
5. After Sun Festival – Sunset Sounds to End the Season
Date: 15 August 2025.
Location: Coastal venue (TBA)
After Sun Festival is a great way to relax as summer comes to an end. Expect a laid-back house, a beach breeze, and a boutique festival feel since Robbie Williams is the main act. After the craziness of August’s big events, this is the perfect way to relax.
Expect:
- Small crowd sizes
- Beautiful seaside stages
- Beachy, slow music to end the season
Why Malta for Festivals?
It’s not only the famous people – it’s everything. Where else can you dance to Afrojack one day, see Amelie Lens the next, and then relax on a boat excursion through blue waters? Malta has the best mix of nightlife, music, beach life, and historical charm. Malta’s 2025 music calendar has something for everyone, whether you’re a hardcore raver or just like going to festivals.
Where to Stay During the Malta Festival
Location is really important if you want to get the most out of your festival. St Julian’s is the best place for festival-goers to stay because it has good transport links, a lot of nightlife and is close to most main venues.
Be.hotel – considered to be one of the best hotels in St Julian’s, Malta – is a great place to stay in the middle of all the activity. It’s in the Bay Street Shopping Complex and is only a short walk from the clubs in Paceville, St George’s Bay beach and transportation to all the festival locations. It’s easy to reach Floriana, Ta’ Qali, Gianpula, or Sliema from here.
Festival Tips for First-Timers in Malta
- Reserve early: You should buy your tickets and hotel rooms for Glitch and World Club Dome as soon as you can.
- Download Bolt: Malta’s answer to Uber. It’s great for rides at night.
- Bring a power bank because you’ll be texting pals, recording sets, and using navigation all day.
- Stay hydrated: The summer heat in Malta is real. A water container that you can refill is a lifeline.
- Explore Between Sets: Be sure to check out Valletta’s bars, beach clubs like Café del Mar, and swimming spots on the cliffs encircling the island.
Get ready for the best summer music ever.
With amazing backdrops, world-class lineups, and unending energy, Malta’s festival season in 2025 is calling. Make your arrangements immediately since the island won’t wait.