Malta is extending its Junior Eurovision 2026 celebrations beyond the main contest arena with Junior Eurovision Pjazza, a public event space in St Paul's Square, Qawra. Organizers scheduled the opening for Sunday 18 October, beginning a week of activities intended for families, young fans and visitors. The initiative reflects this year's festival-inspired 'The Festa' creative theme.
What to know
- Junior Eurovision Pjazza is scheduled to open on 18 October in Qawra.
- The public programme features cultural activities and a final-night outdoor screening.
- The televised competition itself takes place separately at MFCC in Ta' Qali.
The planned opening is connected to the Maltese television programme Bonġu Malta on TVM. The public programme is designed to introduce visitors to Maltese traditions and the atmosphere of local village celebrations. Unlike the ticketed television contest, the Pjazza is intended as a community gathering place, although visitors should check official organizers for any conditions of individual activities.
A schedule reported ahead of the launch also places activities at the Malta National Aquarium from 08:00 to 13:00, with more workshops and cultural demonstrations in the afternoon. The reports refer to nearby public events and the broader Junior Eurovision Village programme; readers should check the published venue details of each activity rather than assume that everything takes place at one address.
The celebrations are expected to continue during the competition week and culminate on Saturday 24 October. Organizers have announced an outdoor big-screen showing of the 24th Junior Eurovision final at the Pjazza, followed by a fireworks display. This offers a communal alternative for people who are not attending the main live broadcast inside the arena.
The contest itself remains at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre in Ta' Qali, a different venue from the public celebration in Qawra. Sixteen countries will compete in the final on 24 October, with the broadcast scheduled for 21:00 Central European Summer Time. Visitors should distinguish the venue for the televised contest from the location of satellite events.
Junior Eurovision 2026 uses the Maltese festa tradition as the inspiration for its staging and wider cultural programme. Junior Eurovision Pjazza brings that approach into the host community before the televised final. Further information on daily activities, access and any last-minute changes should be checked through PBS and the event's official local announcements.
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Last verified: 18 October 2026.
