The Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, together with Festivals Malta, officially presented the agency's events programme for the year 2026, which includes eleven festivals, five national celebrations, and several other events.

This calendar, beginning in January 2026 with the Valletta Baroque Festival and concluding with the Three Palaces Festival in November 2026, also introduces a new event, the Valletta Guitar Festival, as well as the development of the Ritmu Roots Festival into Festgħana, among others.

Festivals Malta also announced its five-year strategy, Festivals & Beyond 2026-2031, which aims to strengthen collaboration between public and private cultural entities, make the agency's festivals more accessible, and prioritise the artistic community.

The speakers also outlined several of the agency's initiatives, particularly the development of the new Festivals Malta website. The new site, festivals.mt, will include various accessibility tools such as a screen reader and virtual keyboard, bilingual content in Maltese and English, and an updated, user-friendly menu designed to provide an optimal user experience.

Minister Owen Bonnici stated, "We are announcing an ambitious programme with a clear vision for 2026, which includes eleven festivals, five national celebrations, and numerous other events that enrich our country's cultural calendar. This is clear evidence of the steady and professional growth of culture in Malta. We have also presented our strategy, Festivals & Beyond 2026-2031, which focuses on increased collaboration between public and private entities, greater accessibility for the public, and reinforced commitment to our artistic community. This path continues to place Maltese culture on a strong foundation and a forward-looking trajectory."

The Chairman of Festivals Malta, Aaron Zahra, presented the strategy and the agency's plan for the coming five years. "This strategy is the result of a rigorous process involving various artists, audiences, stakeholders, and even international experts in the sector.

Through this strategy, Festivals Malta will work to ensure its festivals not only improve quality of life but also nurture creativity and the well-being of audiences, while connecting communities both locally and internationally through culture. In this way, the agency will continue to reinforce its primary goal: to cultivate and expand a diverse portfolio of festivals that celebrate our country's rich culture and creative spirit."

The Chief Executive Officer of Festivals Malta, Frans Agius, explained that the agency is entering the new year not only with a renewed and diverse events portfolio but also with several goals for the future. "The Festivals Malta portfolio continues to grow and evolve. For 2026, the agency will continue to develop its cultural calendar to offer a diverse experience to our audiences. As always, Festivals Malta will prioritise not only culture by ensuring it remains accessible to all, but also the promotion of local artists and the provision of opportunities for them to develop their artistic talents, while preserving and celebrating our national cultural heritage. The year 2026 will mark further progress for Festivals Malta as we work to enhance the quality of everything we deliver."

For more information about the work of Festivals Malta, visit the website festivals.mt.