Set against the majestic backdrop of Valletta’s Grand Harbour, the Pageant of the Seas hosts a programme teeming with exciting daytime activities – competitive races, visual demonstrations and water acts – and a colourful celebration by night.
Taking place during the 7th June public holiday, local communities take part in races on specially designed vessels, constructed specifically for the day. Other races are held between local swimmers, all competing to outperform each other whilst enduring routes between the two forts dominating the harbour. After sundown, the atmosphere transfigures into a spectacular display of fireworks and light effects.
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Below find a programme of events for this year’s edition of the Valletta Pageant of the Seas:
Thursday, 7th June, 2018
TELLIEQA TONI BAJADA
A 2km aquatic race, starting and finishing at the Barriera Wharf Slipway. Around two hundred trained swimmers will be participating in this triangle-shaped race.
Organised by: Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club
Supported by: Red Cross, the Civil Protection Department and ALE rafts
Time: 4.30pm
THE GRAND ENTRY
The Grandmaster, accompanied by In Guardia, enters the Grand Harbour on the Fernandes – which will be decorated for the occasion – accompanied by a group of privately owned boats. The Fernandes sails to Pinto 5, where the Grandmaster and In Guardia members disembark. Private boat owners are instructed to either leave the harbour or anchor their boats in the designated area in the harbour.
Time: 5.30pm
REGATTA
Eight Maltese regatta boats and eight international ones race from Old Customs House to Ras Hanżir and back.
Time: 6.15pm
TELLIEQA TELLIQUN
A fun race around the harbour on hand-made rafts without the use of motors or rowing. All rafts are manufactured by participants from recycled material.
Time: 6.45pm
GĦAWMA TONI BAJADA
A straight-line swim between Fort St Angelo and Barriera Wharf slipway. All swimmers will embark the Atlantis boat alongside the Old Fisheries and disembark by Fort St Angelo, where the race begins.
Organised by: Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club
Supported by: Red Cross, ALE and the Civil Protection Department
Time: 7.00pm
CHAUDRON POWERBOAT SHOW
Twelve Chaudron boats enter the Grand Harbour to produce a 15-minute choreography
Time: 7.45pm
AWARDS CEREMONY
The handing over of the Palju from the 2016 winners to the new 2018 winners. Includes band performances.
8.00pm – 9.00pm
SAILING BOAT SHOW
Twenty-eight sailing boats, decorated with flags and fairy lights, enter the harbour from Kalkara yacht marina to perform a 20-minute choreography.
Time: 9.00pm
CHOIR
Choir perform a piece from the new opera, Aħna Refugjati
Time: 9.20pm
ANIMATED PROJECTIONS
The Grand Harbour is animated with audio-visual projections on a water curtain
Time: 9.45pm
LA FURA DELS BAUS
A show by Spanish theatrical group, La Fura Dels Baus
Time: 10.05pm
GRAND FINAL
A special pyrotechnic show in the Grand Harbour, involving fireworks on a number of floats rigged in the harbour, as well as aerial fireworks from Fort Ricasoli
Time: 11.00pm