The Malta Jazz Festival has run since 1990 and takes place in July at Ta’ Liesse, on the water below Valletta’s bastions. The setting does most of the work: a stage at the foot of the fortifications with the Grand Harbour behind it, at night, in July.
What to know
International names and Maltese musicians
It runs for three or four nights and mixes international acts with Maltese and Mediterranean players. It is a serious festival rather than a resort attraction.
Tickets are sold per night or as a pass, and the bigger names sell out. They are released well ahead of the July dates.
What else is on
A walk down, a steeper walk back
The site is below Valletta at the water. Parking is minimal and the climb back up at midnight is real.
It is July, outdoors, at night, with stone holding the day’s heat. Dress for that rather than for a European summer evening.
Getting to Valletta
Ta’ Liesse
The stage sits on the water at the foot of Valletta’s fortifications with the Grand Harbour behind it. It is one of the better festival settings anywhere.
Come early enough to see it in daylight before the first set.
More after dark
Practical
- Tickets
- Sold per night or as a pass, and the bigger names sell out. Released well in advance of the July dates.
- Getting there
- The site is below Valletta at the water. It is a walk down, and a steeper walk back up. Parking is minimal.
- It is hot
- July, outdoors, at night, with stone holding the day’s heat. Dress for it.
- Seating
- Largely standing or informal seating depending on the year and the ticket. Check what your ticket includes.