Saturday 17 October has three big events on the same day. The Rolex Middle Sea Race starts in the morning, Ħamrun holds its chocolate festival all day, and the opera season in Gozo opens that night.
Here is the order of the day and how to get between them.
Rolex Middle Sea Race start, 11:00
The fleet leaves the Grand Harbour at 11:00. Watching from the bastions is free, and the race start page lists the best places to stand.
Heritage Malta opens two of its sites for the start:
- Fort St Angelo in Birgu opens at 09:00 at the normal ticket price. A VIP area with food and an open bar runs from 10:00 to 12:00 for €40, or €35 for Heritage Malta members.
- Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum in Valletta charge half price from 09:00 to 12:00. Tickets are sold at the door.
The VIP area takes 150 people, so book it ahead.
Ħamrun Chocolate Festival, 10:00 to 20:00
The Ħamrun Chocolate Festival fills Triq il-Kbira San Ġużepp, the main street, with stalls. Entry is free.
The street is closed to traffic for the day, so come by bus or on foot.
Picnic in the 1800s, Birżebbuġa, 13:00 to 16:00
Heritage Malta runs an afternoon tea at Borġ in-Nadur in Birżebbuġa. Actors in 19th-century dress run games and dances beside the Bronze Age wall.
Tickets cost €45 to €55 and include the tea. Be on site by 12:45, and bring a picnic blanket if you have one.
La Traviata in Victoria, Gozo, 19:30
Teatru Aurora in Victoria stages Verdi’s La Traviata for one night only. There is more on the opera, the cast and the tickets in Gozo’s October operas.
The ferry from Ċirkewwa takes about 25 minutes. Allow time for the drive to Ċirkewwa and the trip from Mġarr up to Victoria.
Getting around on the day
The harbour ferries from Sliema and the Three Cities save you looking for parking near the Grand Harbour.
Rooms and hire cars are in demand that weekend. Book early if you are coming over for it.
