Malta Pride Review

The parade kicked off at 5:30 PM from Triton Fountain, which was the perfect time. The sun was still shining, but the heat had calmed down. I didn’t hear an opening speech (though I was there early, so I may have just missed it).

There were four little floats in total, blasting music that kept the crowd dancing. One was from Michelangelo Club, complete with professional dancers, giving off real party vibes. The parade had a great vibe: you could dance between floats to follow the beats you liked best.

Security was minimal, with just a small police presence handling traffic, which felt like a reassuring sign that no heavy protection was necessary.

The route across the historic City Centre

The first real highlight came quickly: marching up Triq Girolamo Cassar, with sweeping views of the harbor, cruise ships, and the city. Then the parade wound its way through Valletta’s old streets, where historic buildings created a great scenery for rainbow flags and blasting music. Locals leaned out from balconies and windows to watch, clap, and cheer, while some restaurants along the route gave guests a more laid-back viewing point.

After looping through town, the parade reached Great Masters Palace, then turned back uphill toward the Parliament Building, with the first floats arriving there around 7:30 PM at sundown. In total, the parade lasted about two hours.

Pre-Pride Events

These were the events I checked out before the main Parade:

• Drag Bingo and Eurovision Show on Thursday. A fun, casual warm-up with plenty of fun entertainment. You could either reserve a table or just join in standing on the plaza and watch the show.

• Pre-Pride Party at Michelangelo on Friday. The main and only gay club for perfect kickoff for a pride weekend, packed with travelers and locals alike.

The Official After Party at Liquid Club

The official Malta Pride 2025 after party took place at Liquid Club, about a 20-minute ride from Valletta by bus or taxi. The venue sits in a countryside setting with little infrastructure around, so most people would pre-party in the city before heading out. From the outside, the club looks a bit like a small castle, which already sets the tone for a unique night.

Inside, the host was exceptionally welcoming, greeting guests with jokes that immediately lifted the mood. The layout features a smaller pop dance floor at the back, which filled up first, some lounge and outside smoking area and a large main floor with a central DJ booth delivering techno and house. The party didn’t really start to peak until around midnight, when the main floor came alive. A quirky highlight was the aquarium in the entrance area, an unexpected but memorable detail that made the club stand out.

Practical tip: If you can, make arrangements for transport in advance. The last bus heading out runs around 10:30 PM, and there is no public transport back afterward. Taxis are scarce in the area, so it’s best to reserve one ahead of time to avoid getting stranded.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Malta Pride 2025 struck a balance: small compared to mega-prides like Madrid or Berlin, but intimate, scenic, and full of charm. It’s the kind of pride where you’ll actually meet people, dance in the streets, and soak in Malta’s unique mix of history and beach life.