The benches on St George’s Square, Valletta, will be removed to make way for the crowd expected for the New Year’s Eve celebration in a few days’ time.

Thousands of people are expected to turn up for the national event, which is being targeted mostly at families. To cater for families and children, the courtyard at the President’s Palace will be turned into a children’s zone, with animators dressed up as cartoon characters.

Meanwhile in the main square, stalls will be selling seasonal food and drinks as the entertainment goes on.

The event will start with a jazz band playing traditional music to set the mood, followed by Winter Moods, who will be on between 10 and 11.30 p.m. DJ Pierre Cordina will take the stage for the countdown, after which Fakawi will rock into the wee hours of the morning.

Valletta mayor Alexiei Dingli said public transport would be running until 2 a.m., and the Park and Ride system from Blata l-Bajda would be operating as well.

The event will also be accessible to disabled people, who are requested to call the local council to arrange for passes and parking spaces.