Notte Bianca will be ushered in tonight by a DJ jamming away atop Porte des Bombes in Floriana.
The annual cultural event, organised by the Malta Arts Council, is expected to attract about 70,000 visitors and will feature performances and installations by more than 100 artists, artistic director Sean Buhagiar said yesterday.
Museums and churches will also be opening their doors to the public during the event, which will officially begin at 7pm. Porte des Bombes itself will be accessible, and visitors can use its staircase to make their way to the top.
Direct buses from Valletta will be available to several localities between 11pm and 2am.
The show must go on
Round-trip day and night tickets for this special service are now on sale at €3 each and will be valid for use on any bus today and after the event.
Malta Public Transport will be operating extended hours at the Floriana Park and Ride, which will remain open until 2am. Normal parking rates of 40c per vehicle will apply, which includes return transport for the driver and passengers.
There will also be a shuttle bus service from Valetta to Gudja, which will celebrate its festa tomorrow. Gozo Channel ferries will be berthing at the Valletta Cruise Port.
Parking will also be available at Belt is-Sebħ, the Floriana football ground and at the MCP car park.
The Valletta ring road will be open but all roads leading to the heart of Valletta will be closed for everyone except residents.
The Civil Protection Department will be coordinating fire, rescue and medical units on location, supported by a number of NGOs.
CPD manager Natalino Bezzina called upon parents to attach a tag or bracelet to their child’s wrist, detailing their name and the mobile number of their parents in the event that the child gets lost.
In such cases, children will be taken to the Valletta Police Station from where parents will be contacted to pick them up.
Medical services will be provided in the strict case of emergencies from Republic Street, corner with St Christopher Street, and from the Ministry of Health in Merchant Street and Ordnance Street.
Asked if the weather could hinder plans, Mr Buhagiar said “the show must go on”, adding that a number of events will be held indoors.