Ball of the August Moon on August 9

This year's edition of the Ball of the August Moon will honour the history of this charitable event, while offering a modern touch with a fresh and renewed flair.

The traditional event, hosted by President Miriam Spiteri Debono, is being held at Verdala Palace on Saturday, August 9, which coincides with the month's full moon.  

This marks a return to the past, as in its early editions, the ball always coincided with the first full moon of August, even if it fell during the week.

This idea of organising a ball in August was originally launched in 1958 to raise funds for the Malta Playing Fields Association.

In 1971, under the governorship of Sir Maurice Dorman, Lady Mamo was entrusted with organising the ball, and it was then decided that the proceeds would be donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund.

President Miriam Spiteri Debono and her husband Anthony at last year's event.

That edition took place just a few weeks before the appointment of Sir Anthony Mamo as Malta’s first and only Maltese Governor General, and the tradition of collecting funds in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund was continued by Mamo when he became the first President of the Republic of Malta, and all successive presidents.

Over the years, the format of the ball has taken different forms, reflecting the changing culture of Maltese society over different periods.

When discotheques were introduced in Malta, the ball became a central attraction, accompanied by raffles, lucky dips, and midnight tours of Verdala Castle. 

n one edition, the castle tour was promoted with the added allure of a “possible encounter with the Blue Lady.” This referred to the castle’s enduring legend of a Grand Master’s niece, who is said to haunt the grounds after taking her own life when a knight imprisoned her within its walls.

For this year’s edition, the AFM band will be followed by the Big Band Brothers, accompanied by renowned local artistes. This year’s floral creation will once again be entrusted to Allistair Fenech and will extend to parts of the castle’s grounds, offering attendees a new experience of this historic site, steeped in centuries of history.

Tickets for this year’s edition are available at augustmoonball.com or by calling 2205 3500.

The ball traditionally hosts hundreds of guests.