The summer carnival returns this weekend and, as in the past year, is taking place in two localities.

On Friday and Saturday, the carnival will be held in Buġibba, with events kicking off with the traditional ġostra on both days at around 6pm at Buġibba square. This will be followed by a parade featuring carnival floats and dance companies.

On Friday, the parade starts at 7.30pm and will proceed along Islet Promenade up to the Santana Hotel. On Saturday, the défilé will start from near the Santana Hotel at 7.30pm and will then move along to Islet Promenade, culminating in Buġibba square.

On Sunday, the mayhem will move to Marsascala. The celebrations open at 7pm with a street parade along the promenade in Salini Street. Starting next to the local council, the parade will make its way towards the area known as Is-simenta, where there will be dance performances and shows by members of the respective floats. The Marsascala band will also be taking part.

There will be decorative floats, some of which will be accompanied by their respective dance companies. This year there will also be two floats which featured in this year’s Gozo Carnival.  The summer floats are smaller than those of the winter carnival and are created especially for this particular carnival, with summer-related themes. Participants hail from many locations and most of them also participate in the winter carnival.

In Marsascala, patrons can park next to Inspire, in front of the St Anthony Family Park in St Anthony Street as well in the park’s car park. There will be a park and ride service.

The summer carnival is organised by Festivals Malta, with the help of the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government and Communities, the Valletta 2018 Foundation, the Malta Tourism Authority and the local councils of St Paul’s Bay and Marsascala.