You know what’s better than a weekend? A long weekend.

Apart from the increasingly popular St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, Malta will also be taking a day off work on Monday for St. Joseph’s. And as expected, that’s attracted a large number of promoters to organise a great deal of parties all around the island. 

With Sunday taking the form of another fully-fledged weekend day this time round, events are even more spread out over the next couple of days. Here are just some things to do in Malta to look out for this weekend.

Friday 16th March

The first showcase of a new Maltese record label

With the current increased interest in (and frequency of) Maltese bands, Kewn Records has stepped out to start promoting some of the best local talent out there.

For their first showcase, the label will be putting up a night of merchandise and music, courtesy of three local alternative movers and shakers; BILA, Krishna and Heart of Darkness.

In their own perfectly put words, Rave Iboss

Sometimes, all you need is a catchy title that perfectly explains your event in a couple of words. And if there’s one event that does that this weekend, it’s this.

A night of fully-fledged  90s rave tracks at the Manoel Island hub of The Funky Monkey, this one’s already set to be a winner.

Saturday 17th March: St. Patrick’s Day

The annual Spinola Bay street party

For thousands of people in Malta, this is the big one come St. Patrick’s. 

Kicking off at 11 in the morning, this festival has five stages, 25 DJs… and is absolutely free. No wonder so many thousands of people flock to Spinola Bay every single year.

Lollipop is back for a green-filled special

The monthly gay party has gone from strength to strength in the last year, and the organisers are going back for a one-off St. Patrick’s special at Tigullio. Yes, that’s where the above-mentioned big street party is happening. 

Lollipop plan on closing off the street party by heading indoors, and seeing as it’s the 17th edition of the party. On the 17th. What luck. 

A fresh take on the annual celebrations, far away from Paceville

Kalkara’s gorgeous Villa Bighi will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day celebration for all those people who don’t feel like cramming themselves in crowds of thousands of people in Paceville. And the whole family is invited!

Traditional Irish food and music, along with free entry tickets to Esplora for all children. Sweet.

A truly alternative celebration to a super mainstream feast

St. Patrick’s Day attracts thousands of people all around the world, and Malta is no exception.

For lovers of alternative music, the Funky Monkey on Manoel Island will be hosting  not just alt DJ Lvex and dark electronic band Kill The Action.

A night of brutally heavy music (mosh pit included)

ClubMurder‘s place in the local metal scene has been undisputed for most of the last decade. 

If you’re up for a night of beer and moshing in the pit for St. Patrick’s, then catch the ClubMurder at The Garage this Saturday. 

It might feel like a standard night for most fans, but green is the new black.

Sunday 18th March

An afternoon double gig to prove the weekend isn’t over yet

Starting at 3pm and going well into the evening, the popular Party Bil-Ġenn night is coming back two years later for a double bill between Fuzzhoneys and Massacre House Party, two of the most followed local alternative bands right now.

A long night of techno on the eve of a public holiday

When all else fails, Liquid is always there to come in and offer refuge to a dark scene that has refused to die down.

Three DJs – Alek Sane, Antimatter – mt and 4Ace – and a long night of clubbing, just to make sure no one wakes up early on Monday. 

Monday 19th March

A chilled morning of all things vinyl

 Sliema’s Sunset Records will be hosting a relaxed morning and afternoon of people digging through their collection for new vinyl releases, along with special offers on some of their albums. Get your hipster on in the best way possible.

One of the most popular guitarists in the world gives a masterclass in Valletta

If you’ve ever had a guitar phase (and most of us), then you’ve heard the name Steve Vai before. One of the most celebrated (and flamboyant) guitarists in the world, Steve Vai has amassed enough experience to write volumes upon volumes. 

Instead, he’ll be giving a masterclass on his art in Valletta, on St. Joseph’s Day. Now that’s the stuff of miracles.

Tag someone you’ll spending your long weekend with!

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David Grech Urpani

Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).