The official opening of Valletta 2018 activities tomorrow could cause headaches to motorists as most of the Floriana MCP car park will not be accessible to the general public.

V18 organisers have block-booked over three quarters of the parking spaces for the opening night when Valletta formally takes on the status of European Capital of Culture.

Production coordinator Antoine Farrugia said that 1,000 of the 1,300 available parking slots at the Floriana facility would be reserved for performers and crew. Access to the car park from the Valletta Waterfront would not be possible because of works in the area, he said.

Some parking would be available near the Catholic Institute and the football ground, in Floriana, Mr Farrugia added.

The road from Porte des Bombes, in Blata l-Bajda, all the way to St Anne Street, in Floriana, would be closed from 5pm for all traffic except public transport.

20-minute shows start at 7pm in four different squares

Public transport would then proceed from next to the Blata l-Bajda park and ride towards Sarria Road, in Floriana.

Passengers will be dropped off at The Mall and board from St Anne Street. Public transport would run until 2am.

Meanwhile, traffic will proceed one way down Sa Maison Hill from 5pm.

People attending the opening have been encouraged to make their way to Valletta early and make use of public transport.

A pedestrian path will be in operation on the night, from Tritons Square, to St John’s Square, St George’s Square and up to Castille.

V18 coordinator Jean Pierre Magro said those present in Valletta tomorrow can join the pedestrian path from any of the squares mentioned provided they followed the set route.

A 20-minute show starts at 7pm in each of the squares mentioned, with repeats every hour on the hour until 11pm.

A programme of events, which includes a map showing the designated pedestrian route along apart from other relevant information would be available to visitors.