PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR ARTS, CULTURE AND NATIONAL HERITAGE Special edition of the Valletta Local Food Festival returns

The much-loved Valletta Local Food Festival returns with a special edition from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th July 2026, in St George’s Square, Valletta, for three days of culinary discovery, local produce, and community celebration.

Organised in collaboration between the Valletta Cultural Agency and the Malta Food Agency, this edition promises to be more diverse and flavourful than ever.

Minister for Culture Malcolm Paul Agius Galea stated that, “As a government, we remain committed to ensuring that culture is accessible to everyone and that our public spaces continue to be used to bring people closer to our heritage, creativity and identity. This festival is also an investment in our community, our creativity and our cultural economy. By supporting local producers, we are supporting families, small businesses and the traditions that make us unique.”

Jason Micallef, Chairperson of the Valletta Cultural Agency, said, “This special edition of the Valletta Local Food Festival is a true celebration of Malta’s food identity. It honours our farmers and artisans while bringing people together to enjoy the tastes of the past and present in one of Valletta’s most breathtaking public spaces.”

The Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Food Agency, Brian Vella, explained, “This festival is a celebration of the work of everyone who dedicates themselves each day to producing quality food. Our producers are at the heart of Malta's food system, and as the Malta Food Agency, we remain committed to creating more opportunities for their products to reach consumers, while continuing to strengthen the competitiveness, quality, and added value of Maltese and Gozitan products. The Valletta Local Food Festival is a concrete example of how, together with our partners, we can continue to give visibility and recognition to the very best Maltese and Gozitan products.”

The Chief Business Development Officer of the Malta Food Agency, John Justin Camilleri, said, “The Valletta Local Food Festival reflects the way in which the Malta Food Agency has continued to build strong collaborations between government, producers, industry, and consumers. In recent years, we have seen how joint efforts lead to initiatives with greater impact and tangible benefits for both the food sector and the wider community. This festival is a clear example of how, by working together and aligning our efforts, we can create initiatives that strengthen relationships among all stakeholders, bring communities closer to local food production, and continue to foster a culture of cooperation that delivers long-term results.”

This year’s festival brings together over 25 local producers, chefs, and food artisans, presenting an abundant array of authentic Maltese food and drink.

The Valletta Local Food Festival 2026 is free and open to all, offering an unmissable opportunity to experience the richness of Maltese food culture.