Hoopla Malta is the sun-kissed queer weekender we didn’t know we needed — a glitter-drenched mix of beach parties, pool raves, and pure summer joy. In this guide, we share our first-hand experience of Hoopla Malta: the vibes, the venues, and why it’s the perfect queer escape before autumn hits.
“Do we really need another festival?” Seby asked as I tried to fit yet another pair of shorts into my carry-on.
“Yes,” I said, “this one comes with sunshine, sea views, and shirtless men handing out cocktails — it’s basically a cultural experience.”
And that’s how we ended up at Hoopla Malta. Partly because it looked fabulous, and partly because it coincided perfectly with my birthday (Seby insists that was just a coincidence). Imagine: beach parties where drag queens ruled the stage, poolside sets that turned strangers into friends, and that effortless Maltese magic that makes everything feel like a holiday even when your legs are still shaking from dancing.
By day, we floated between beach clubs and the sea. By night, we danced under warm island skies, surrounded by thousands of joyful, beautiful souls celebrating life, love, and awesome pop hits.
Hoopla Malta wasn’t just a party. It's a celebration of everything we adore about our community: connection, laughter, and unapologetic joy. Here’s how it all went down, from the birthday chaos to the morning-after hazelnut croissants, and why we’re already plotting our return.
What is Hoopla Malta?
Hoopla Malta is the Mediterranean spin-off of London’s Mighty Hoopla, a three-day celebration that takes over beaches, pool clubs, and open-air venues across the island.
Think sun-drenched afternoons, drag performances that deserve their own standing ovation, and DJ sets that keep you dancing long after sunset.
For us, it felt less like a festival and more like a giant, open-hearted queer holiday where strangers instantly became friends, hangovers were worn with pride, and every outfit was a form of self-expression. It’s vibrant, welcoming, and the perfect excuse to escape reality for one unforgettable weekend.
When is Hoopla Malta?
The next Hoopla Malta will take place 25-27 September 2026. For full details on venues, tickets, and lineup, check the official Hoopla Malta website. Tickets for the event can also be purchased on the website.
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Where does Hoopla Malta take place?
Hoopla Malta mostly takes place around St Paul’s Bay, located around 20 20-minute Uber drive north of Valletta. I'll be honest, it's not the nicest of areas, pretty run down, but a handy base during the festival to be close to the action. When we went, we based ourselves here during the festival, then stayed a few extra days in a hotel in Valletta as a base.
Every year, the setup shifts a little, but the recipe stays the same: sun, sea, and a whole lot of dancing. In 2025, we partied our way through Café del Mar by the water, lost ourselves at Gianpula Village until the early hours, and ended it all with the Sunday beach bash at Little Armier. The main hotel base in St Paul's Bay is the Bora Bora Hotel, which basically turned into one long, very gay poolside social.
The Hoopla Malta vibe: what to expect?
“What’s the vibe?” Seby asked as we walked in, sunglasses already on even though we were indoors. “Somewhere between Pride parade and poolside paradise,” I said, which sums it up nicely.
Hoopla Malta is pure sunshine energy. From the first beat, everyone’s smiling, dancing, and somehow managing to balance a drink, a fan, and a flirt all at once. It’s the kind of place where strangers become friends before you’ve even ordered your first spritz, and every song feels like the anthem of your summer.
You don’t come here to pose, you come to play. We left with sore feet, full hearts, and a camera roll that could single-handedly power gay Instagram for months!
The other major highlight is the acts they draw to perform. When we went in 2025, we saw Melanie C – Sporty Spice! She was absolutely brilliant. Others included Leigh-Anne from Little Mix, Trixie Mattel, Ultra Nate, and Jodie Harsh.
Where to eat and hydrate at Hoopla Malta?
One thing Hoopla Malta nailed? Food and drinks.
Every venue — from Café del Mar to Gianpula Village— had proper kitchens serving everything from burgers to pasta, plus bars that kept the cocktails flowing and the gays hydrated. No sad festival snacks here, just full plates and even fuller glasses.
What's the toilet situation like at Hoopla Malta?
We’ll be honest, we went in fully expecting the usual festival bathroom horror story. You know the type: long queues, mysterious puddles, and a single sheet of toilet paper guarding the realm.
But Hoopla Malta completely surprised us. Every venue we went to had loads of toilets, minimal queues, and staff constantly cleaning and restocking like clockwork. Even late at night, things stayed impressively spotless (and smelled… decent!).
It’s one of those little details you don’t really think about until you realise you’re not spending half your night queuing. Credit where it’s due, they’ve seriously nailed the toilet game.
Where to stay in Malta for Hoopla Malta?
Hoopla Malta will collaborate with the host hotel, which will offer deals for attendees. When we went in 2025, Bora Bora in St Paul's Bay was the host hotel and therefore Ground Zero for everything. We were advised to base ourselves in or around the host hotel as it was close to the main venues, like Cafe Del Mar, or where you could get a Shuttle Bus to venues further out, like Little Amier Beach and Gianpula Village.
If we were to do this again, we would probably base ourselves in Valletta, as the area for the 2025 Hoopla (St Paul's Bay) was quite rundown and not the most attractive. There is also a small gay scene in Valletta to check out, with queer venues like Cafe Society, Da Gino Bar, and Kaktus Malta.
We've published a detailed article about the best gay hotels in Malta to check out for more inspo on this.
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For more inspiration:
- Read our interview with local Clayton about what gay life in Malta is like
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- Read what we rate to be the most gay friendly countries in the world
- We love a gay beach, so much so that we published a guide to the best gay beaches in the world
- Read all about the best gay festivals and parties in London
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