What about Valletta 2018?
Valletta is a marvellous fortified city standing on a headland at the entrance of the Grand Harbour. This effectively means that the Mediterranean Sea surrounds the city, which guards one of the most impressive and picturesque ports in the world.
This is especially great in 2018, when Valletta celebrates its European Capital of Culture status. Among other things, this features more than 400 Valletta-based events aiming to highlight the cultural heritage of the Maltese Islands. Furthermore, there are annual events that continue to add colour and spectacle to the fascinating 2018 calendar.
What's more, you can experience Valletta 2018 and some of these events in a unique way aboard one of our Sunseeker yachts.
The Regatta
31 March & 8 September – Grand Harbour
Relax in the comfort of your luxury motorboat away from the crowds to enjoy the traditional Maltese regattas. No-one is getting in the way of your fantastic photos of the colourful boats in action against the extraordinary backdrop of Fort St Angelo, the Three Cities and Valletta. The modified Maltese working boats (frejgatina, kajjik, dgħajsa tal-pass, dgħajsa tal-midalji) from coastal towns race along a 1,040-metre course for approximately five hours. Meanwhile, you eat, drink and even enjoy a swim, perhaps, to the envy of the crowd. The national regattas are traditionally held on 31st March and 8th September to commemorate the end of foreign occupation. This year, due to Easter weekend, the first race will be held on 7th April.
Il-Festa l-Kbira (Valletta 2018 special)
7 April – Grand Harbour
Since the traditional regatta of 31st March falls in Easter, this year the regatta programme is part of a big Valletta 2018 event that aims to highlight the Maltese Festa tradition. The four patron saints of Valletta - St Paul, St Dominic, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Augustine - will come together in a single celebration accompanied by the musical pomp and fanfare of Valletta’s two band clubs on 6th April. The regatta will be held on the 7th along with some extra highlights. Berth your motorboat near the Valletta Waterfront or Senglea Waterfront to make the most of the regular entertainment that will fill the gaps between the races. Make sure you’re checking out the cannon display from the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta at noon!
Photo credit: © viewingmalta.com Clive Vella
Malta International Fireworks Festival
27 April – Marsaxlokk & 30 April – Grand Harbour
Prepare yourself for a real spectacle as one the best ever fireworks displays explodes into the night. There is something truly awe-inspiring about this colourful festival of fire. You may forget to sip your champagne as your eyes remain glued to the patterns of light. The quality of this fire show sees the world’s most enthusiastic fireworks artists competing for a prestigious title. Take your boat to Marsaxlokk fishing village on the 27th and the Grand Harbour on the 30th of April. There is also another fireworks display in Xaghra, Gozo, on the 22nd.
Photo credit: © viewingmalta.com
Valletta Pageant of the Seas (Valletta 2018 special)
7 June – Grand Harbour
See the Grand Harbour up close and personal and join in the fun as it fills with regatta boats, power boats, yachts and carnival floats on the occasion of Valletta’s 450th anniversary. Who will win from the swimmers who venture to cross the Grand Harbour from Fort St Angelo to Valletta? Find out who will creatively win a boat race without motors or oars from the teams who will construct their own boat with available materials. With entertainment by UK outdoor event organisers Walk the Plank and a show with carnival floats on water, there's plenty happening to make Valletta Pageant of the Seas a magical maritime experience.
Photo credit: © viewingmalta.com Clive Vella
The International Malta Jazz Festival
16-21 July 2018 – Grand Harbour
Nothing spells luxury like sipping cocktails on a yacht in the Grand Harbour of Malta, as live jazz music by elite musicians wafts through the calm summer night. Front row seats are guaranteed from your boat anchored a stone’s throw from the open-air stage. And it’s not just your ears that will be delighted. Your eyes will feast on the lit-up fortifications of Valletta and the Three Cities and their reflections glittering on the calm waters of the magnificent port. Even the moon and the stars will look down in envy.
Rolex Middle Sea Race – 50th Anniversary (39th edition)
20 October 2018 – Grand Harbour
Be on the sidelines as over 100 sailing boats swan out of the Grand Harbour. Whether you are an avid fan of the sea or a casual visitor, you will appreciate the challenges these crews will face as they leave port. Just ask your captain to tell what seafaring in the Mediterranean can be like! You can welcome them all back two days later, once ‘the most beautiful race course in the world’ is done. The race takes the crews across 606 nautical miles from the Grand Harbour to Sicily, the Aeolian Islands, the Egadi Islands, Pantelleria, Lampedusa and back to Marsamxett Harbour.
Valletta Waterfront
Various dates – Grand Harbour
The Valletta Waterfront offers a unique combination of spectacular views of the Grand Harbour, historic buildings and local culture. Expect a wonderful array of food and beverage establishments and live entertainment. Relish it all with Pinto Wharf as a backdrop and the Three Cities as a panorama. As tourists step onto their cruise liner towards their next destination, step off your luxury motorboat for a grand entrance and dining in true style.
Photo credit: © viewingmalta.com Rene Rossignaud
