The highly anticipated Valletta New Year’s Eve Celebrations will kick off at 8pm this Saturday in Pjazza San Ġorġ for one of the biggest festivities on the island. The event is being organised by the Valletta 2018 Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government, the Ministry for Tourism, the Malta Tourism Authority and the Valletta Local Council.

Valletta 2018 Chairman Jason Micallef said “New Year’s Eve sees one of the biggest events in Valletta concluding a year-long programme of projects and activities organised by the Valletta 2018 Foundation and kickstarts another busy one. We have also released our Cultural Programme for the year 2017 leading us to the European Capital of Culture year in 2018.  The public is invited to participate in our programme next year, and even more so in the European Capital of Culture year as this title is a celebration for everyone.”

Minister of Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici said “These celebrations will mark the beginning of the Maltese Presidency for the Council of the European Union, putting Malta in the spotlight of all EU Member States. It is an honour to see Valletta, the European Capital for Culture 2018, welcoming the New Year through this annual event making Valletta at par with other European Capitals who welcome the New Year through these events. It is also an opportunity for local musical talent to unite and perform as well as offering a platform for MCAST students of the Art and Design Institute to exhibit one of their works.”

Minister of Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis said that activities organised on a national scale such as the New Year’s Eve festivities are essential for the yearly calendar, especially for the tourist industry. Tourist are able to plan their holiday before coming to Malta during the festive seasons and have the opportunity to join the local community in festive activities.

Mayor Alexiei Dingli said “The Valletta New Year’s Eve celebration is also a family event where the Valletta community and families from around Malta and Gozo can come together to celebrate this special occasion.”

The line-up for the evening includes Ozzy Lino, Daniel Cauchi & the Big Band Brothers featuring Marit Kesa, followed by hosts DJs Pierre Cordina and Clint Bajada who will take over and play some of the best hits of 2016. The Digital Projections, a collaboration between the Valletta 2018 Foundation and MCAST, will also be projected on the Palace façade, with a special countdown to usher in the New Year, followed by a live performance by X-Factor UK 2015 finalists Reggie and Bollie, with DJ Mykill and Trumpet Live closing off the night.

The New Year’s Eve festivities will run till 2am. The public is encouraged to make use of public transport with the last bus departing from Valletta at 1:50am, the last service to Floriana Park and Ride leaving at 2a.m. while ferry connections will continue to run till 4a.m.