Although the Maltese Islands are famous for their sunny skies, azure waters, and daytime tours highlighting their dramatic history, there are also plenty of things to do and sights to see after dark. Malta is well-known for its nightlife and party scene, and with its vast array of nightclubs, bars, restaurants and wine bars, you’ll never be far from a good time. There’s also a lively art and music scene with lots of festivals to attend, especially during this year’s summer season.
Summer 2022 Is All About Large Parties and Festivals
After a quiet few years, Malta is bursting back onto the party scene with numerous festivals and other big, fun-packed events. Those who like it loud will have the chance to enjoy both live and recorded music as everyone makes up for lost time by partying harder than ever before.
Events on the summer itinerary include:
DLT:MALTA 2022 ( 16 – 20 June) – For those not yet in-the-know, DLT stands for “Days Like This,” a premium musical experience that began in the UK but has since become a global sensation. The DLT team will put on parties at places like Bora Bora Ibiza-Malta, Cafe del Mar Malta, Gianpula Village and Uno Malta and will present DJs and artists hailing from all over the world. Big names include Rema, Shenseea, Wizkid and KAYTRANADA, among others. Only 3000 people can attend this exclusive event, so grab your tickets early.
Isle of MTV 2022 (19 July) – For its 14th year, the Isle of MTV free summer music festival returns to Malta’s Il-Fosos Square. This year’s featured artists include genre-crossing singer, entrepreneur, and humanitarian French Montana and the award-winning, world-renowned DJ Marshmello. Over the past 13 years, this event has brought tens of thousands of fans to the show, so it’s a good idea to get your tickets as soon as possible to secure your spot in the crowd.
Summer Daze Malta 2022 (10-17 August) – The Summer Daze Malta dance music festival kicks off on the 10th of August and will see some of the most popular artists in the EDM, pop, and house music spheres take the stage. DJs from all over the world will come to Malta for this lively occasion, which is taking place for the first time since 2019. To sign up for news and alerts about this event, head over to its dedicated website.
Glitch Festival 2022 (13 – 16 August) – The 5th edition of the Glitch Festival promises to be bigger, bolder, and better than ever after a two-year hiatus. Guests are invited to attend rooftop parties, boat parties, and even secret raves in caves. Dancing is not only allowed, but encouraged as visitors attend events with live electronic musical acts, with the main festival taking place in Gianpula Village the 14th and 15th of August and one last, blow-out boat party day on the 16th. Click here to buy tickets and find out more information.
Elrow Malta (14 September) – Self-described as “the craziest party in the world,” elrow brings an explosion of light, color, and sound to Malta on 14 September. The group has hosted parties around the world, including hotspots like Ibiza, and promises electronic music, immersive experiences, psychedelic scenery, and fun confetti blasts. As the world-famous party brand itself puts it, this will be a place to “dance like nobody is watching” – something partygoers have been waiting to do for years. For more information, you can follow elrow on Facebook.
Drumcode Festival Malta (15-19 September 2022) – Just as the summer is beginning to fade, things heat back up again when Drumcode takes over the island of Malta with a four-day music festival featuring over 50 talented artists who will play on seven stages built specifically for this event. Big names at the event include Adam Beyer, Chris Liebing, DJ Rush, Joris Voorn, Maceo Plex, Monika Kruse and many others. Click here to learn more and book your spot.
The Latest COVID Travel Rules
Malta, like the rest of the world, is now entering into a re-opening stage. This makes it an ideal place to visit, even for large groups.
Starting from the 9th of May, 2022, Malta will no longer be classifying any countries as Red or Dark Red. This means that tourists can come and visit from any country without quarantining, as long as they are fully vaccinated, have proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the past six months, or a negative COVID-19 test result. For the latter, both the Rapid Test (done within 24 hours of departure) and the PCR test (done within 72 hours of departure) are acceptable. If a visitor cannot provide any of the previously stated documents, they will be asked to quarantine for 10 days. This period can be shortened to seven days if one takes a COVID-19 test and receives a negative result.
In addition to this, masks are no longer required for flights to or from Malta. They are also not required at indoor or outdoor locations on the islands themselves, meaning that they are not necessary to attend any of the above events and festivals. The capacity limits and seating arrangements of all venues have been restored to pre-COVID standards as well, meaning that many more people can have a great time this summer.