The Summer Carnival will return from 21 to 23 August 2026, bringing three evenings of colourful parades, dance, music and carnival celebrations to Buġibba and Marsaskala, the Ministry for Arts and Culture said in a statement.

Organised by Festivals Malta in collaboration with the St Paul's Bay Local Council and the Marsaskala Local Council, this year's edition will feature 15 carnival floats specially adapted for the summer parades, alongside a number of dance companies.

Events will begin in Buġibba on Friday 21 August and Saturday 22 August before moving to Marsaskala on Sunday 23 August.

The initiative aims to provide another platform for Malta's carnival tradition beyond the annual February celebrations, giving artists, float builders and dancers the opportunity to showcase their work to wider audiences throughout the year.

Minister for Arts and Culture Malcolm Paul Agius Galea said the Carnival remains an important part of Malta's cultural identity and reflects the talent and dedication of hundreds of people.

"The Government will continue investing in these traditions, not only to preserve them but also to allow them to grow, evolve and reach more people. The Summer Carnival brings culture directly into communities, making it more accessible to families, residents and visitors," the minister said.

In Buġibba, Friday's parade will start at 7pm from Dawret il-Gżejjer and continue along the promenade to the Malta National Aquarium. On Saturday, the parade will begin at 7pm from the aquarium and proceed along the promenade to Triq il-Ħalel.

On Sunday in Marsaskala, organisers will introduce a modified route to reach more parts of the locality. The parade will start from the Żonqor car park near the swimming pool before passing through Triq iż-Żonqor towards iċ-Ċimenta, continuing beneath the parish church and along Triq ix-Xatt.

Festivals Malta chief executive Frans Agius said the Summer Carnival expands access to the tradition by bringing it directly into local communities. Malta Carnival artistic director Jason Busuttil added that the 15 floats and participating dance companies would once again fill the streets with the colour and energy synonymous with the Maltese Carnival.

Further information and updates are available on the Festivals Malta website.