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Malta Jazz Festival

A July week of jazz on the Valletta waterfront

When2027: 5 to 10 July in Valletta, as listed by Festivals Malta (venues to be confirmed). In 2026 it ran 6 to 11 July, with the main concerts at Ta' Liesse on the Grand Harbour waterfront.
WhereValletta, Valletta and the Grand Harbour
CostAs of November 2026: ticketed concerts and a festival pass, sold through festivals.mt
FrequencyAnnual
Type
Music
When
July
Duration
6 days
Location
Valletta
Cost
As of November 2026: ticketed concerts and a festival pass, sold through festivals.mt
Frequency
Annual
Attendance
Several evenings of concerts
Family friendly
Yes
First held
A long-running Festivals Malta event; the 2026 programme included a film on the festival's history
Local name
Malta Jazz Festival
Best arrival
About 30 minutes before the concert, to find your place on the waterfront
What to wear
Light summer clothes; a thin layer for harbour breezes late at night
Food highlights
Dinner in Valletta before the showWaterfront barsFtira from city cafes
Warnings
Venues for 2027 are still to be confirmedBook ahead if a particular concert matters to youJuly heat lingers into the evening
What to bring
Your ticket or passWaterA light layerCash or card for bars
The overview

Malta Jazz Festival

The Malta Jazz Festival is run by Festivals Malta and held in Valletta every July. The 2027 edition is listed for 5 to 10 July, with venues still to be confirmed. In 2026 it ran from 6 to 11 July, and its two main nights took place at Ta' Liesse, the open quayside below Valletta's walls on the Grand Harbour.

The programme mixes international names with Maltese musicians. Alongside the big outdoor concerts, recent editions have included an opening concert devoted to Maltese jazz composers, a children's concert and a documentary screening on the festival's own history, so there is more to it than the headline nights. Festival passes and single tickets are sold through the Festivals Malta site.

Making a night of it

The waterfront setting is the main appeal: the stage faces the harbour, with the Three Cities and Fort St Angelo across the water. Eat beforehand in Valletta, and walk down from the city gate or take the lift from the Upper Barrakka Gardens to harbour level.

  • Concerts run late in the evening, when the July heat has eased.
  • Buy tickets ahead for the headline nights.
  • The harbour ferry links Valletta with the Three Cities if you are staying across the water.

July is peak summer; read our where to stay in Malta guide and book early.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

When is the Malta Jazz Festival 2027?

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Festivals Malta lists it for 5 to 10 July 2027 in Valletta. Venues and the line-up are announced closer to the date.

Where are the concerts held?

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In Valletta. In 2026 the main concerts were at Ta' Liesse on the Grand Harbour waterfront, with other events at venues around the city.

How do I buy tickets?

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Tickets and a festival pass are sold through the Festivals Malta website. Buy early for the headline nights.

Is the festival family-friendly?

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Yes. Recent programmes have included a children's concert as well as evening shows, and the outdoor setting suits a relaxed audience.

What else is on in Malta in July?

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July is the height of the village festa season, so you will find feasts with band marches and fireworks most weekends, and it is peak beach season.
Plan your visit

Malta Jazz Festival

When
2027: 5 to 10 July in Valletta, as listed by Festivals Malta (venues to be confirmed). In 2026 it ran 6 to 11 July, with the main concerts at Ta' Liesse on the Grand Harbour waterfront.
Duration: 6 days
Location
Venues in Valletta, to be confirmed for 2027 (Ta' Liesse waterfront in 2026), Valletta
Valletta and the Grand Harbour
Cost
As of November 2026: ticketed concerts and a festival pass, sold through festivals.mt
This event is in Valletta →