The Festival will be taking place in three different locations around the Maltese Islands, namely Xagħra (Gozo), Marsaxlokk and Valletta. The event kicks off in Gozo on Saturday, 22 April, followed by a performance in Marsaxlokk on Friday, 28 April and the Grand Finale taking place in the Grand Harbour, Valletta on Sunday, 30 April.

This year's closing event is going to be particularly special, as apart from marking the anniversary of Malta joining the European Union, it will also form part of the celebrations to mark the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The music that will be used during the Grand Finale will be produced by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra to accompany the fireworks display performed by Pyroemotions and St Mary Fireworks Factory of Ħal-Għaxaq, with the latter being the 2016 festival winners.

Another novelty introduced this year is that, for the first time, all Malta Pyrotechnic Association members and observers were permitted to apply for a spot in the Festival.

In order to encourage increased local participation, the Organising Committee has decided to reward the highest placed local competitor with an invitation to participate at an international fireworks festival, taking place overseas, in order to showcase our skills.

This year the participating companies are TemexSon - Pyro Events Team (Romania), Makalu Fireworks (Czech Republic), Pyro Italy (Italy), Mirnovec Pirotehnika (Croatia), Kamra tan-Nar Madonna tac-Cintura (Gudja) and Kamra tan-Nar Santa Marija (Qrendi).

MTA CEO Paul Bugeja said: "This Festival is one of the main highlights in the Maltese calendar of events and it has grown in popularity both locally and abroad."

Mr Bugeja thanked all those involved, in particular the organising committee which is this year lead by Dr Godfrey Farrugia.