Malta Pride: our Review

Review by Yan Valer

Malta Pride truly is a Pride like no other.

We could start with stating the obvious that it is held towards the very end of the Summer Calendar around mid September in fact.

There are two major factors for this – firstly is the heat! – Summer in Malta is hot hot hot – and to be parading in the heat of  June, July or August would not be quite as fun as you think. The other reason is Malta is also full of Village ‘festas’ – every weekend over the summer months you have a  few Village Feasts (usually associated with the a Saint or two) which includes processions , fireworks, street parties, marching bands  – the works!

Basically Summer in Malta is never short of a festivity. The concentration of these Festas is June to August and reduce by mid September… That’s why it is a prefect time to bring out the Rainbow flags the glitter, the lashes and you know the rest.

The First Pride March in Malta was held in 2004 by MGRM (Malta Gay Rights Movement) which was more of a protest , to a very modest attendance. something around 50 to 100 ,and a far cry to what it has become today… especially when you compare it to EuroPride in 2023 with over 100,000 over the week and the Pride March attracting around 40,000!

Of course Malta has in fact changed a lot in the last 20 years. The smallest country in Europe – The island was always welcoming towards foreigners and you could say diversity is very much in the island’s DNA – so it is no surprise that it remains a pioneer when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights – being the first European country to ban Conversion Therapy, one of the first to pass the bill for  same-sex marriage and also be the first European state to add gender identity to its constitution as a protected category.

But what about the festivities for 2025?

I was in Malta through most of the Pride week – and it was an impressive calendar of events from Workshops, Exhibitions, Panel Talks to Drag Shows, Theatre,  Parades and of course plenty of opportunities to party… so your friendly Maltese reporter had to oblige and try to attend as many as I could!

The first event I attended was the  Drag Bingo and Eurovision (Of course there is Eurovision in Malta!) night at the impressive Mercury Piazza in ST. Julians, organised by  Allied Rainbow Communities (ARC).

The event hosted by the talented Drag Queen Olivia Lillith was a night of tongue in cheek Bingo with a blend of  drag shows, Eurovision contestants and a strong community spirit! and Spirits were high indeed both in cups and not! – And as I was offered another Spritz which I declined for another Kinie (if you know you know) all I could think is:  how are  they going to cope with the whole weekend when this is just Thursday night!

But Malta likes a party!

So some Friday night I was back at the capital Valletta, which just comes alive by night. From the impressive entrance of the walled city to the rainbow lit Baroque Auberge de Castille which serves as the office of the PrimeMinister, the city is roaring and ready for the celebrations that will wash through these streets the next day at the Parade.

Valletta has in-fact had a major facelift in the last couple of  decades, the once desolate nights of this city have been tuned upside down and now they are  truly vibrant with great Restaurants,  bars and Cafes….  and when it comes to queer spaces a stop at Cafe Society is a must.

On the stair-cased street of the cafe  I caught up with a few friends and made some new ones too – it is a relatively easy thing to strike up a conversation in Malta – just do not bother to use the weather as  a conversation starter (like  a brit would do) – it wont work – it’s sunny, it’s hot and humid that is as far as that will take you. As the night was heading to the early hours my crew were ready to head to the next party at the newly opened Kaktus in Ta’ Xbiex… but with a few Aperol Spritz in the system this reporter needed to be sensible and keep my energies  to deal with the Parade the next day! so headed home with the promise of doing that another day.

It’s Saturday – it is the day of the Parade – being a  hot country the Pride starts at 5pm as no one wants to roast at Midday! – which is also great as it gives you time to perfect that outfit or the make-up…some of which must have been thought of in the few weeks if not months prior!

I could try to put into words the vibes , the colours – but I know words would not do this  justice in capturing the energy,  that feeling of overwhelming Love and acceptance that the Streets of this gorgeous Baroque City can resonate during Pride…. but thankfully I also have  the pictures to do the talking! (Thanks Ed!)

Post Parade I kept true to my promise and headed to Kaktus, a charming cafe/bar with a clearly strong community Spirit – this was the un-official post Parade and pre Parties drink spot. The place in reality is Tiny but with aview to die for over-looking Valletta – no wonder everyone is just outside spilling into the Streets – which is not uncommon at many drinking holes  in Malta. Kaktus host an array of events from Community Talks, and  Poetry recital to Disco infused Sundy Moimosas and Techno fuelled  Friday Den parties downstairs… Variety is not an issue here!

It’s Saturday Night –  and there are 2 main parties which in the last few years have been the face of Queer Malta – Nerve and Lollipop. Tonight they are two very different affairs – and there is only one way to review this – I just have to attend both – so off we popped!

Nerve was a Joy. If you like you like a younger crowd and you are after some unadulterated pop –  this is your place. The attendees were truly invested in every single dead drop, twirl and mic drop  from the uber talented Drag Queens on stage  – which included Drag Race Uk’s  Releasa.  The place was very chatty more than a full on club night – but the location of  Marrakech, the open-air club at  Gianpula lends itself perfectly to that – it is a queer social gathering which doesn’t take itself too seriously with a strong Pride feel that served all the anthems you could have wanted to hear on the day courtesy of Djs Kidcore, Naomi Wild and St.John.

But after a few sing alongs to Gaga and Kylie… we were ready for the next party.. so headed to Liquid Club where Lollipop (The island’s current longest serving party – 9 years this year) had joined forces with newcomers Kaktus for a Techo/House  Pride Afterparty.

This was a far more clubby feel – Certainly a lot less glitter and far more music-focused than lewks….with the obligatory harness clearly prevalent. With two rooms to choose from this party was not holding back – the main Techno room with Djs Sunta,  Strahlen and the Pigboi rocked with its middle of the dance floor dj stand which had the party goers circling the dj  like a false idol adoration which lent itself pretty well to the music and vibe. The House Room with I.You, Davvy P and Mari Mars gave you the club Anthems you want and come to expect from Lollipop

Around  3am though I needed to call it a night – as I would be back with the Lollipop crew the next day as I was playing the Pride Closing Pool Party!

It’s Sunday Morning – this Reporter is a bit tired – but I can do this! a Good Brekkie is needed – and food is never an issue in Malta – far from it! – in fact I keep going back with doggy bags as the portions are soo big!

After Brunch an obligatory swim in the afternoon – because nothing cures a hangover better than a dive into the Mediterranean sea – I swear that should be  bottled!

But I make it Virgo:  the closing Pool Party from Lollipop held at Cabo Terrace in Birzebbugia – the south side of the island.

The vibes here are totally different from the night before it is light and  frivolous with beach balls,  drag queens and plenty of hotties in speedos. The music is House and Pop remixes served by SAR and  DAVVY_P taking on the pool area, and  JAKE OPAQUE,  MARI MARS and myself  Yan Valer kicking off the night time proceedings – but before my set we even have a surprise show from Malta’s Eurovision 2025 contestant Miriana Konte of course serving Kant.

Without sounding too “Carrie Bradshaw”….

…and just like that it was midnight on a Sunday Night bringing to a close another Pride Week in Malta, a week of celebrations but also conversations and bumping into old friends and making new ones – during this trip it was also clear how from that first Pride back in 2004 the island has become a lot more cosmopolitan with so many foreigners at all the events – once again a clear example of a welcoming and tolerant island. It is no surprise that it  remains at the top of the  ILGA-Europe Rainbow index.

With new venues also on the way on the island the upcoming Drag Bar Sirena in Sliema and Kween in Valletta – together with Michelangelo the longest standing Gay Club in Paceville and of course the club nights and events organised by the various promoters we mentioned earlier,  visibility is here and growing!

..and I for one already can’t wait for 2026!