The Malta International Fireworks Festival will return this April with its 25th anniversary edition, bringing together around 40 local and international fireworks teams for a series of large-scale displays across the Grand Harbour and Nadur, Gozo, between 18th and 30th April.

Announced by the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) at Fort St Angelo in Birgu, the anniversary edition underscores the festival’s role as a flagship cultural event that continues to support Malta’s year-round tourism strategy while celebrating one of the country’s most deeply rooted traditions.

This year’s programme includes eight teams competing in the pyro-musical competition, up from six in 2024. Half of the competitors are Maltese, while the remaining four will travel to the islands from overseas, including participants from countries that have not previously taken part. Notably, the 25th edition will feature a Canadian pyrotechnic company, marking participation from outside Europe and reinforcing the festival’s reach in long-haul tourism markets.

In total, approximately 40 fireworks factories and affiliated societies will participate throughout the festival, highlighting the scale of local involvement and the depth of Malta’s pyrotechnic expertise. Band clubs will also feature prominently across various dates, adding to the traditional festa atmosphere through music and community-led celebrations.

The festival will open on 18th April in Nadur, Gozo, with a non-competitive evening featuring pyromusical and traditional fireworks displays, followed by a closing show by last year’s winners, Għaqda Piroteknika 10 ta’ Awwissu of Birgu. Competitive pyro-musical events will then take place in Valletta on 20th and 25th April, with four teams performing on each night alongside non-competitive displays and band club participation. The festival will conclude on 30th April with a grand finale in the Grand Harbour.

Beyond the competition element, audiences will once again experience a broad range of traditional Maltese fireworks, including beraq, beraq pront, beraq tal-kulur, beraq bil-logħob, as well as murtali tal-kulur, sfejjer and blalen, showcasing the craftsmanship and diversity that characterise Malta’s pyrotechnic heritage.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg said the festival continues to play a dual role in promoting Malta internationally while remaining firmly rooted in local communities. He noted that the event provides a platform to showcase Maltese pyrotechnic skill to international experts and enthusiasts, while aligning with tourism’s growing focus on authentic, culturally grounded experiences that benefit local communities and support the sector’s long-term resilience.

MTA Chairman Charles Mangion highlighted the cultural significance of fireworks within Malta’s festa tradition, which is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. He said the festival elevates this tradition into a high-quality cultural tourism product that attracts diverse audiences from multiple markets.

MTA CEO Carlo Micallef added that the increase in pyro-musical competitors reflects the festival’s growing international appeal, noting that events of this scale are central to the Authority’s strategy to improve seasonality and attract visitors seeking distinctive, value-added cultural experiences outside the peak summer period.

Speaking on behalf of the Malta Pyrotechnic Association, executive committee member Stanley Azzopardi said the festival offers fireworks enthusiasts the opportunity to experience a wide range of high-quality displays within a single programme, as Maltese, Gozitan and international manufacturers come together in Nadur and Valletta.

Now in its 25th year, the Malta International Fireworks Festival remains one of the most anticipated fixtures on the islands’ cultural calendar, drawing large crowds of local families and international visitors while reinforcing Malta’s positioning as a destination for heritage-driven, year-round tourism.

For more information and timely updates, follow the Festival’s Facebook and Instagram.

Images: Malta International Fireworks Festival