What’s on in Malta and Gozo this week: May 25 to 31, 2026
Highlights of events in the coming days
THEATRE
Turandot
The Classique Foundation is paying tribute to Puccini with a staging of his final opera, Turandot, at the Astra Theatre in Victoria, on May 30, at 7.30pm.
The production is commemorating the centenary of the opera’s world premiere on April 25, 1976, at La Scala in Milan.
Joseph Debrincat will be conducting the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, who will be joined by the Classique Opera Chorus and a star-studded cast, which includes German soprano Maida Hundeling in the title role, and Spanish tenor Jorge de León in the role of Calaf.
The production is supported by the Cultural Heritage Directorate within the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, Visit Malta, NDSF and the Social Causes Fund.
Tickets from teatruastra.org.mt.
Politically Erect
Politically Erect, a mash of satire, sketches and naughtiness, is being staged at Theatre Next Door in Magħtab right at the climax of Malta’s election frenzy.
Put together by comedian Steve Hili (Naughty Malta, Adult Panto), the show features some of Malta’s funniest performers: from Comedy Knights veterans Pia Zammit and Naomi Said, to Tik Tok star James Ryder (who once ran for office himself) and theatre stalwart Sean Briffa.
The show runs until May 28. Tickets from fmt.com.mt/tnd.
Karmena Abdilla L-istorja tkompli...
A play based on the characters created by Charles Clews and written by Soraya Chetcuti is being staged at the Junior College, Msida, on May 26 and 27 at 7.30pm.
The play takes Karmena Abdilla through a brand new adventure filled with laughter, arguments and comic situations.
Tickets from showshappening.com.
MUSIC
Earth Garden
The popular music festival returns for its 19th edition at Ta’ Qali National Park from May 29 to 31.
The event features local and international performers on different stages. This year’s highlights include The Skints, who bring their signature reggae-punk vibe from London, local act Tribali with their hypnotic drums and sitars, Daft Funk Live, a tribute experience to the French electronic duo Daft Punk, and alternative Maltese band Brikkuni.
The event also offers camping opportunities, workshops, yoga sessions and an ethnic market, among other activities.
For more information, visit earthgarden.com.mt and the event’s Facebook page.
An Evening of Song and Strings
The Bir Miftuħ International Music Festival, organised by Din l-Art Ħelwa at the medieval chapel of Bir Miftuħ, comes to an end on May 30 with a voice and strings performance.
Soprano Miriam Cauchi will perform, accompanied by pianist Maria Elena Farrugia and Simon Abdilla Joslin on violoncello.
The programme includes works by Gounod, Massenet, Franck, Lucantoni, Brahms, Foerster, Previn and Vella Gregory, as well as a premiere of a short composition Melita Rose by Mark Pullicino.
The recital starts at 7.30pm.
For more information, call Din l-Art Ħelwa on 2122 0358 or e-mail info@dinlartħelwa.org.
Orietta Berti live in concert – La mia vita è un film
Concert posterOne of Italy’s most beloved musical icons, Orietta Berti, is performing at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta on May 31 at 6pm.
The concert, titled La mia vita è un film (my life is a film), is a celebration of Berti’s over 50-year career and the stories behind her music.
Fans can expect to hear some of her greatest hits, as well as new material.
Tickets from showshappening.com.
FILM
NT Live: Playboy of the Western World
Spazju Kreattiv is screening the National Theatre performance of Playboy of the Western World, directed by Caitríona McLaughlin, on May 28 at 7pm.
Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment) and Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls) star in John Millington Synge’s riveting play of youth and self-discovery.
Pegeen Flaherty’s life is turned upside down when a young man walks into her pub claiming that he’s killed his father.
Instead of being shunned, the killer becomes a local hero and begins to win hearts, that is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene.
The film is certified 15. Tickets from spazjukreattiv.org.
MISCELLANEOUS
Djalogi
Spazju Kreattiv is hosting the third edition of Djalogi, a series of encounters with emerging and established writers, tomorrow, May 26 at 7pm.
Leanne Ellul will be interviewing Priscilla Cassar.
The event is free of charge.
Salvador Dalí: 20th-century Renaissance Artist
AsinMalta is paying tribute to Salvador Dalí with a lecture at the Radisson Blu Resort Hotel, St Julian’s, on May 27 at 6.30pm.
The lecture will focus on Dalí’s work as a designer and science enthusiast.
Besides his artworks, Dalí was also a jewellery designer. He also selected the materials to be used, focusing not just on the colours or the value of the material, but also on their symbolic meanings.
Jewels such as ‘El cor reial’ (1953, The Royal Heart) have become iconic works and are considered to be as exceptional as his paintings. He also was a keen reader who was as interested in science as he was in art.
The lecture will be delivered by art historian Julia Musgrove.
For more information and to register, e-mail mem.asinmalta@theartssociety.org or call on 9989 1006.
The First Maltese: Unravelling Malta’s Hunter-Gatherer Past
Professors Eleanor Scerri and Nicholas Vella will be giving a one-hour lecture on recent archaeological discoveries at Latnija Cave at the Oratory of the Immaculate at the Jesuits’ church in Valletta, on May 28 at 6.30pm.
The talk will shed light on this newly discovered chapter of Maltese prehistory, presenting what is known about these first ‘Maltese’, and the archaeological science behind it all.
Entrance is free but donations are welcome. Access through Archbishop Street.
.DANCE
The 2026 Elite Annual Showcase
The event posterElite Studios are presenting Magical Musicals, a show celebrating the magic of dance and theatre, at Theatre Next Door in Magħtab, on May 30 at 5pm. The stage will be brought to life with performances inspired by some of the most iconic musicals, showcasing the passion, dedication and growth of talented dancers.
Tickets from showshappening.com.