If you are in Gozo on the first evening of November, the Leone Philharmonic Band of Victoria has a lovely way to spend it. On Sunday 1 November 2026 the band takes the stage at Teatru tal-Opra Aurora on Republic Street for British Classics in Concert, an evening of well-loved British symphonic and orchestral music.
What is it?
This is one of the oldest concert traditions on the island. The band has held its November concert every year since 1950, when it was first organised to mark the proclamation of the Dogma of the Assumption, so 2026 is the 76th year. The Leone Band itself goes back to 1863 and is one of the two big band clubs of Victoria, which is why the Aurora theatre is such a natural home for it.
What to expect
- A programme of British overtures, stirring marches and familiar orchestral pieces, led by musical director Colin Attard
- A concert of roughly 75 minutes, starting at 19:00 with doors opening at 18:30
- A big wind band sound in a proper opera house, which is quite different from hearing a band play outdoors at a summer festa
The full list of pieces had not been published when we checked, so expect a few surprises.
Tickets and tips
- Entry is listed as free, but you still need to reserve a ticket through the Teatru Aurora online booking system. Free concerts in Gozo fill up, so book early.
- Arrive by about 18:30 to find your seat calmly. Parking around Republic Street gets busy in the evening, so the car parks near the bus terminus are a good backup.
- The same evening, many Gozitan villages light candles for the Mixegħla tal-Qaddisin, so you can take a short walk through the lit streets after the show.
How to get there
Teatru Aurora is on Republic Street (Triq ir-Repubblika), the main street of Victoria, a few minutes on foot from the bus terminus. From Malta, take the Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr and then bus 301 or a taxi up to Victoria. Our Gozo day trip guide has ferry times and costs. The listing also mentions a ferry to theatre transfer that can be booked, leaving Mġarr around 18:15, but check this with the theatre before you rely on it, and remember the last ferries back to Malta if you are not staying overnight.
Looking for more to do that weekend? See our weekend events round-up and the daily Malta This Week page.