Valletta council today gave details on its first New Year's Eve outdoor celebration, due to be held at St George's Square.
The party will enable Valletta to join other capitals around the world in the countdown leading to the New Year.
The party will include the participation of a jazz band playing carols and Christmas songs, Wintermoods, DJ Pierre Cordina and Fakawi.
There will be a small pyrotechnic show on stage but no fireworks will be let off for safety reasons, since the area around the square is a sensitive one.
Mayor Alexei Dingli said that the benches in the middle of square would be removed to create more space. There will be a designated area for people with disabilities but those who intend to use it need to make prior arrangements with Valletta council. There will be a children’s area at the Palace courtyard.
A park and ride service will operate between Blata l-Bajda to Valletta and public transport will be available until 2 a.m.
The government is sponsoring the activity to the tune of €10,000. Bars and restaurants in Valletta are to remain open.
Since Floriana council is organising its own celebrations, in St Anne Street, people going to Valletta will be diverted to the Granaries, bypassing St Anne Street.