Malta Book Festival 2026: Dates, Venue and How to Make a Day of It

Malta’s autumn calendar gets talked about for its regattas and its fireworks. The event we would actually send a long-stay guest to is quieter: five days in November when the island’s publishers, writers and readers fill a hall in the middle of the island and the whole country’s book culture is under one roof.

In short: the Malta Book Festival 2026 runs from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 November at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali, organised by the National Book Council. It is the biggest event of its kind in the country, with around fifty exhibitors and a programme of talks, launches and readings in Maltese and English. Go on a weekday morning for the stalls, an evening for the events, and pair it with Mdina, which is next door.

Dates and opening hours

Wednesday 4 November: 9am to 9pm. Thursday 5 and Friday 6 November: 9am to 1pm, then 5pm to 9pm — note the afternoon break on those two days. Saturday 7 November: 9am to 9pm. Sunday 8 November: 9am to 8pm. This year’s theme is Uncover the Story.

What it is

It began in 1979 as the Malta Book Fair, kept that name until 2012, and has grown into a festival that treats books as something to be argued about rather than simply sold. Publishers and bookshops take stands; there are launches, readings and panel discussions; and in recent years there have been stage adaptations of Maltese books and an exhibition tracing the journey from illustration to finished book.

It is also, quietly, international. Past guests have included Salman Rushdie, Irvine Welsh, Joe Sacco, John Boyne, Anthony Horowitz, Naomi Klein and the Booker winner Samantha Harvey. Much of the programme runs in English, so you do not need Maltese to get a great deal out of it — though if you have been here a few weeks and are curious about the language, there is no better place to buy a first Maltese novel or a bilingual children’s book.

When to go

For browsing, weekday mornings are calm and the stalls are easy to work through. For atmosphere and the bigger events, go in the evening or at the weekend, when the hall fills with families and the talks draw a crowd. Check the National Book Council’s published programme closer to the date for author events; the headline guests are usually announced in the weeks before.

Making a day of it

Ta’ Qali sits in the centre of the island, a short ride from Gzira by bus or taxi — no car needed — and the setting is the best part of the plan. The old fortified city of Mdina is a few minutes away on its hilltop, and the Ta’ Qali crafts village and the national park are right beside the venue.

Our suggestion: the festival in the morning, lunch and a slow walk through Mdina in the afternoon light, which in November is lovely and almost crowd-free. It is one of our favourite day trips in any case, and having an armful of new books to read on the bus home improves it considerably.

Why we like it

We are a building that keeps records on the shelf and, for longer stays, a small rotating library on request — so a week when the whole island talks about books feels like home territory. One book in particular shaped how we built this place. The festival is a good reminder that Malta’s culture is not only fortresses and festas; it is also a country of readers and writers, and November is when they come out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Malta Book Festival 2026?

Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 November 2026, at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta' Qali. It is organised by the National Book Council.

What are the Malta Book Festival opening hours?

Wednesday 4 November 9am to 9pm; Thursday 5 and Friday 6 November 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm; Saturday 7 November 9am to 9pm; and Sunday 8 November 9am to 8pm.

Is the Malta Book Festival worth visiting for English speakers?

Yes. While it is the main showcase for Maltese literature, it has a strong international programme — past guests have included Salman Rushdie, Irvine Welsh, Joe Sacco, John Boyne, Anthony Horowitz and Samantha Harvey — and many publishers and events work in English.

Morrison Court is five self-contained apartments in Gzira, with the island’s autumn calendar a short ride away. morrisoncourt.com.