If visitors to last year's Notte Bianca thought they were spoilt for choice with the 100 plus activities scattered around the capital, they will have to think again, because this year's edition has been upped to include over 170.
Using as many as 80 venues in Valletta, and its outskirts, mayor Alexei Dingli said the local council and the organisers wanted to create as much of a widespread event as possible and one that did not only focus on the city core.
To be held in under three weeks' time, on October 3, Notte Bianca is already in its fourth edition. This year's event will again see all of Valletta's museums opening to the public free of charge with the addition of the War Museum, which was only re-opened in May after lengthy and extensive restoration works.
Although the number of events has been upped considerably, Notte Bianca's art director Peter Busuttil said that roughly the same budget would be spent to organise the all-night event that is now spilling noticeably into the morning and even afternoon of the following day.
The organisers of this year's edition said the events would be bigger and better, with as many as four additional stages set up for concerts and about 10 bands marching away in the many criss-crossing streets, especially decorated for the occasion.
Mr Busuttil said that after last year's interest shown by visitors in the Auberge de Baviere, currently housing the Government Property Division, additional focus was placed on the venue and its immediate area.
The Auberge de Castille, on the other hand, would be practically entirely devoted to activities and performances by Gozitan artists and musicians. As with previous years, ministries, embassies, palaces and others still will be open, accessible and used for one or more events.
Transport facilities will be improved to ensure the success of the event. Besides the park and ride facilities in Floriana, another park and ride area operating from near St Luke's Hospital in Pietà will be providing an additional 250-350 parking spaces. Moreover, a trackless train service will be functioning between Valletta Waterfront and Victoria Gate and the Auberge de Baviere. The latter service will be free of charge.
In an attempt to bring the event on a par with foreign editions, the organisers appeal to visitors to wear white for the occasion.
A week prior to Notte Bianca, an information stand will be mounted at City Gate from where the official programme and a free official magazine can be collected.
The complete schedule of events can be viewed at www.nottebiancamalta.com.