Science in the City takes over Valletta on 25 and 26 September. Most of it is outdoors, and most of it is free.
It is Malta’s European Researchers’ Night, run by the University of Malta, and it has been going since 2012.
Researchers bring their work out of the lab and into the street for two nights.
What actually happens
Squares and courtyards fill with demonstrations, robots, live experiments, talks and theatre.
The festival runs in four parts: pre-festival events, the street festival, a performance strand and a virtual programme.
The street festival is the main event and the part that costs nothing.
Performances are at Sala San Duminku in Valletta and the Catholic Institute in Floriana. Those are ticketed and small.
Take children
This is the one festival on the Maltese calendar built around children rather than tolerating them.
Much of the street programme is hands-on and aimed at primary and secondary age.
It runs into the evening, so it is cooler than a daytime museum trip and the lighting is part of the appeal.
When to go
Go in the evening on either night. The street festival is better after dark and Valletta is at its best then anyway.
Late September is when the summer heat finally breaks, so standing outside for three hours is comfortable rather than punishing.
Book the ticketed performances ahead. The venues are small and they sell out.
Getting there and back
Valletta is easiest by bus, or by the harbour ferries from Sliema and the Three Cities.
Streets close for the street festival and driving in carries the CVA charge on the Friday. Park at Floriana or MCP and walk.
The programme runs late and the ferries stop before the buses do. Check the last crossing before you settle in.
The rest of the month
September is the busiest cultural month before October takes over.
The Grand Harbour Regatta is on the 8th, the Valletta Guitar Festival runs from the 10th to the 12th, and Notte Bianca follows on 3 October.
Fifteen village feasts fall in September as well, nine of them in the first eight days.
Where to check the programme
The festival publishes its own programme and map close to the date, and venues move between years.
Confirm before you travel rather than working from last year’s listing.
