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13 Feb - 17 Feb

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Sections

Participants

Programme

Getting There

Participants

Sections

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PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2025

30th January - 16th March

WIĊĊ IL-KARNIVAL WIRJA T'UĊUĦ U MASKRI TAL-KARNIVAL

Location

Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

Time

30th January - 16th March

Age

All

Accessibility

Persons with mobility issues can access Spazju Kreattiv through the parliament side entrance.

More Info

Carnival masks are a central element of celebrations worldwide, symbolizing transformation and creativity. In Malta, Carnival dates back to medieval times, gaining prominence under the Knights of St. John. Masks, with their transformative power, allow individuals to adopt new personas, fostering freedom and artistic expression—a tradition still vibrant in Malta and Gozo today. Unlike other cultures, Malta lacks a distinct traditional mask, though papier-mâché busts crafted annually for Carnival showcase local artisans’ skill and imagination. These creations keep the spirit of Maltese Carnival alive, offering a platform for artistic innovation and cultural reflection. This exhibition, part of the Malta Carnival 2025 program, features a variety of masks and busts. It celebrates the craftsmanship of Maltese artisans while exploring the intriguing question: “If Malta had a traditional mask, what would it look like?” Organized by Festivals Malta, it is supported by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage, Arts, and Local Government.

21st February

IL-QARĊILLA FIT-TEATRU

Location

Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

Time

8:00pm - 9:00pm

Age

15+

Accessibility

Spazju Kreattiv is accessible by wheelchair. For assistance to enter the performance space, kindly contact Spazju Kreattiv directly by sending an email to fondazzjoni@kreattivita.org.

More Info

A live theatrical performance of Il-Qarċilla, the traditional farce synonymous with Carnival, penned by Michael Spagnol lu and, directed and produced by Joseph Galea.

23rd February

CARNIVAL IN ĦAMRUN

Location

St Joseph High Street, Ħamrun (From the Parish Church until St Paul's Square, commonly known as Fra Diegu Square)

Time

10am onwards

Age

All

Accessibility

St Joseph High Street is easily accessible to wheelchair users.

More Info

Carnival isn’t only celebrated in Floriana and Valletta, it happens all over the island! Keeping with the tradition of the programme for Malta’s National Carnival in the past few years, of the traditional band parade which returns alongside grotesque masks, carnival floats and merriment groups.

27th February

IL-QARĊILLA FIT-TEATRU

Location

Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

Time

8:00pm - 9:00pm

Age

15+

Accessibility

Spazju Kreattiv is accessible by wheelchair. For assistance to enter the performance space, kindly contact Spazju Kreattiv directly by sending an email to fondazzjoni@kreattivita.org.

More Info

A live theatrical performance of Il-Qarċilla, the traditional farce synonymous with Carnival, penned by Michael Spagnol and, directed and produced by Joseph Galea.

28th February

CARNIVAL IN VALLETTA’S STREETS

Location

St. George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta

Time

6:00pm – 8:45pm

Age

All

Accessibility

Visit Our Getting Around Section

More Info

It’s the first day of Carnival in Malta’s Capital City! This year’s programme features competitive dances by dance companies wearing impressive costumes from Sections D, B and A, and a parade with the participation of King Carnival, featuring Grotesque Masks, Dance Company Floats Section A and Triumphal Floats from Section D. To see the programme for the day in full form.

28th February

IL-QARĊILLA FIT-TEATRU

Location

Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

Time

8:00pm - 9:00pm

Age

15+

Accessibility

Spazju Kreattiv is accessible by wheelchair. For assistance to enter the performance space, kindly contact Spazju Kreattiv directly by sending an email to fondazzjoni@kreattivita.org.

More Info

A live theatrical performance of Il-Qarċilla, the traditional farce synonymous with Carnival, penned by Michael Spagnol and, directed and produced by Joseph Galea.

1st March

CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL (MORNING PROGRAMME)

Location

St. George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta

Time

9:30am – 11:45am

Age

All

Accessibility

N/A

More Info

This year, the children’s carnival at St George’s Square features the participation of dance schools together with all the competitive dance companies from section C. The event features a parade led by the King Carnival float and triumphal floats from section C. The parade will then continue along Republic Street, Valletta.

1st March

IL-QARĊILLA FIT-TOROQ TAL-BELT

Location

Ordinance Street , Valletta (adjacent to Pjazza Teatru Rjal)

Time

2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm

Age

All

Accessibility

N/A

More Info

Il-Qarċilla is a “street farce” with a satirical element typical to the Maltese Carnival. It often represents a mock marriage contract in which everyone declares everything that comes to mind: what gifts the brides will receive from parents, witnesses, friends, as well as from certain prominent persons and constituted bodies, all in the form of spoken verses. The notary must take care to document everything so that the piece is legally binding. The Qarċilla dates back many years and probably the most famous one is that written by Fr Feliċ Demarco for the 1760 Carnival. In 2014, the Qarċilla revived this tradition on the streets of Valletta after more than a hundred years.The Qarċilla's writings have a literary value, so since 2014 writers have been Trevor Zahra, Emmanuel Mifsud, Leanne Ellul, Alex Vella Gregory. This year Michael Spagnol has written the script whilst this edition is directed by Joseph Galea. Disclaimer: This from political and social issues, the Qarċilla also includes many references to sex and vulgar words. A live theatrical performance of Il-Qarċilla, the traditional farce synonymous with Carnival, penned by Michael Spagnol, and directed and produced by Joseph Galea.

1st March

AFTERNOON PROGRAMME

Location

St. George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta

Time

4:00pm – 7:00pm

Age

All

Accessibility

N/A

More Info

This programme at St George’s Square, featuring various competitive dance companies Section B, together with Dance Company Floats Section A and Triumphal Floats Sections A and B, as well as the participation of a traditional Carnival local band together with a band float and grotesque Masks. The parade will then continue along Republic Street, Valletta until late evening.

2nd March

MORNING PROGRAMME

Location

St. George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta

Time

10:00am – 01:00pm

Age

All

Accessibility

N/A

More Info

A défilé with the participation of Triumphal Floats Sections C and D that will parade along Valletta’s Main Roads, starting from the Granaries (Floriana), Great Siege Street (Floriana), Girolamo Cassar Street, Castille Square, Merchant’s Street, Archbishop Street, Republic Street and Freedom Square until late afternoon.

2nd March

IL-QARĊILLA FIT-TOROQ TAL-BELT

Location

Ordinance, Valletta

Time

2:00pm 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm

Age

15+

Accessibility

N/A

More Info

A live theatrical performance of Il-Qarċilla, the traditional street theatre farce synonymous with Carnival, penned by Michael Spagnol and directed by Joseph Galea.

2nd March

AFTERNOON PROGRAMME

Location

St. George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta

Time

3:30pm – 6:30pm

Age

All

Accessibility

N/A

More Info

A programme at St George’s Square, featuring competitive dancing companies from Sections A and C. The event includes the defile with the participation of King Carnival, Section A Company Floats together with Triumphal Floats from Sections A and B. Sunday’s event includes the participation of a Traditional Carnival local band together with the Band float and Grotesque Masks. After St George’s Square arena exhibition, the parade will continue along Republic Street, Valletta until late in the evening.

3rd March

MORNING PROGRAMME

Location

St George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta

Time

10:00am - 12:30pm

Age

All

Accessibility

N/A

More Info

The programme in St George’s Square includes a défilé which includes the participation of Dance Companies from Sections C & D, as well as performances by schools from around the Maltese Islands.

3rd March

AFTERNOON PROGRAMME

Location

St. George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta

Time

5:30pm – 8:30pm

Age

All

Accessibility

N/A

More Info

A programme at St George’s Square. This event includes the défilé with the participation of King Carnival and section A Company floats together with Triumphal Floats from sections A and B, C and D.

4th March

AFTERNOON PROGRAMME

Location

St. George’s Square & Republic Street, Valletta

Time

5:30pm – 7:30pm

Age

All

Accessibility

N/A

More Info

A dance show at St George’s Square featuring all competitive Dancing Companies Sections A, B, C and D.

4th March

CARNIVAL GRAN FINALE

Location

St Anne Street, Floriana

Time

6:00pm onwards

Age

All

Accessibility

N/A

More Info

A grand exhibition of carnival floats, together with various carnivalesque items, parade along St. Anne’s Street, Floriana until late evening.

4th March

CARNIVAL WORKSHOP: PAPIER-MÂCHÉ MASK WORKSHOP

Location

Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

Time

8:00pm - 9:00pm

Age

​

Accessibility

N/A

More Info

Experience the Art of Carnival with a Papier-Mâché Mask Workshop! Dive into the world of creativity and craftsmanship with our Carnival Masks: Papier-Mâché Creation workshop. Designed for participants of all ages (with a guardian for younger creators), this hands-on session guides you through the enchanting process of mask-making at four engaging stations: sculpting with clay or gablo, layering papier-mâché, trimming for a perfect finish, and decorating with vibrant paints and embellishments. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to unleash your creativity and craft a personalized carnival mask. For added flexibility, participants can opt to complete their masks at home using a provided video tutorial. Join us on one of the scheduled dates for an unforgettable artistic journey. Spaces are limited to 20 participants per session, so secure your spot today and be part of this exciting Carnival tradition! This workshop is led by Ryan Galea, and forms part of the ŻiguŻajg 2024-2025 Season programme.

Getting to Carnival in Valletta & Floriana

During the five main days of Carnival in Valletta, thousands of people swarm Malta’s capital city to catch a glimpse of the carnival floats, dances and many of the other activities which form part of this yearly celebration. For this reason, getting to Valletta may not be as easy as usual. Make sure to plan your trip ahead of time.

 

Throughout the 5 days of Carnival, Valletta can be accessed by:

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Bicycle

With a bicycle, parking is far easier than with a private vehicle. Valletta has a few areas where bicycles can be parked. For more information on where you can park your bicycle in Valletta, scroll down to the CityNomadi map at the end of this page.

Private E-Scooter

Personal e-scooters can be used and parked around Valletta. But make sure to take care of your e-scooters! There will be dances, parades, and carnival floats roaming around most of Valletta’s streets, so make sure to park your e-scooter in a space that does not obstruct carnival traffic.

Bus

Most buses in Malta lead to the Valletta bus terminus, so getting to Malta’s capital city. More information on the bus schedule and how you can make your way can be found on Transport Malta’s website here.

Private Car

Getting to Carnival in Valletta by car should be your last resort. Whilst using a private car is convenient, parking during the days of Carnival is incredibly difficult. If you absolutely need to use a car, try to carpool with friends or other parties. You can also leave your car at the Park & Ride or consider taking a taxi.

Ferry

For visitors catching ferries from Sliema, the Three Cities or Gozo, make sure to have a look at the ferries’ websites to see if there are any changes in the ferries’ schedule.

The organisers of this event reserve the right to change the programme of this event as required which includes, but is not limited to: weather conditions and health and safety concers.

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​L-organizzaturi ta’ dan l-avveniment jirriservaw id-dritt li jbiddlu l-programm għal dan l-avveniment li jinkludi raġunijiet li mhumiex limitati għal: il-kundizzjonijiet tat-temp, u tħassib fuq is-saħħa u s-sigurtà.

NEWS

Do I need to buy a ticket to enter St George’s Square?

Yes, to enter St George’s square, tickets need to be purchased. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

Can I purchase tickets at St George’s Square with cash?

Yes, both card and cash payment options are available at the door.

Can I purchase tickets for the Gold Area at St George’s Square?

No. The Gold area is only accessible to people with a special Gold area pass. Passes cannot be exchanged and shifted from one person to another.

Is the arena at St George’s square accessible to wheelchair users?

Yes. There is a special area for wheelchair users in the arena. Persons with a disability, upon the presentation of a valid EU disability card are also entitled to tickets at a concession rate and are entitled to a free companion ticket. To request a free companion ticket, please email our Audience Development & Outreach Associate on christian.debono.2@festivals.mt, keeping kristina.polidano@festivals.mt copied in the email.

Can pushchairs enter the arena at St George’s Square?

Pushcairs are not allowed in the arena but can be stowed in a special designated area for pushchair storage.

Can I stand up in the audience section of the arena?

Please make sure to remain seated whilst you are in the arena. Be respectful! Other members of the public want to see the performances as much as you do.

I can’t find my question in the FAQ section, who should I contact?

Please contact info.fm@festivals.mt with your query and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

I’m curious about how I can get to Valletta and Floriana during Carnival. How do I get there?

More details will be available soon.

What is the gold area in St George’s Square?

The gold area is the premium seating area in the arena and is facing the Grandmaster’s Palace. Concession rates for this area do not apply.

Do children under the age of 3 need to buy a ticket?

No. Children under the age of 3 can enter the arena for free, although they are asked to sit on a parent or guardian’s lap during the performances.

FAQ

Carnival (Winter)

When will the summer carnival in Malta happen in 2025?

Summer Carnival will be happening on the 22nd, 23rd and  24th August 2025.

When will applications for the summer carnival in Malta open?

More information on the launch of applications will be released soon!

Il-Karnival tas-Sajf (Summer Carnival)

GETTING THERE

Bicycle

With a bicycle, parking is far easier than with a private vehicle. Valletta has a few areas where bicycles can be parked. For more information on where you can park your bicycle in Valletta, scroll down to the CityNomadi map at the end of this page.

Private E-Scooter

Personal e-scooters can be used and parked around Valletta. But make sure to take care of your e-scooters! There will be dances, parades, and carnival floats roaming around most of Valletta’s streets, so make sure to park your e-scooter in a space that does not obstruct carnival traffic.

Bus

Bus. Most buses in Malta lead to the Valletta bus terminus, so getting to Malta’s capital city. More information on the bus schedule and how you can make your way can be found on Transport Malta’s website here.

Private Car

Getting to Carnival in Valletta by car should be your last resort. Whilst using a private car is convenient, parking during the days of Carnival is incredibly difficult. If you absolutely need to use a car, try to carpool with friends or other parties. You can also leave your car at the Park & Ride or consider taking a taxi.

Ferry

For visitors catching ferries from Sliema, the Three Cities or Gozo, make sure to have a look at the ferries’ websites to see if there are any changes in the ferries’ schedule.

Wheelchair Icon

ACCESSIBILITY

During Carnival, Valletta is not exactly the most accessible space for persons with mobility disabilities Bearing in mind the limits of balancing the traditional spontaneity of the Maltese Carnival and its modern structure, spaces have been designated throughout the areas where the official Carnival programme will be taking place.

Wheelchairs are allowed in a designated area in Pjazza San Ġorġ, with tickets being available at a discounted rate. Persons with a disability are also given a complimentary ticket for their companions to access the arena upon request and the presentation of a valid EU Disability card.

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