Last preparations were underway yesterday ahead of this evening's grand V18 celebrations, which will see Valletta crowned as a European Capital of Culture for the coming year.

Heralding the cultural entertainment and special events taking place throughout the year, the opening week of Valletta 2018 presents music, street artists and performers.

Today will see what one expects to be a spectacular opening. The Erba' Pjazez will be staged on Triton Square, St John's Square, St George's Square and Castille Square. There will be 20-minute shows taking place on the hour at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm and 11pm, ensuring no one will miss a chance to enjoy them all. Here are just a few of the acts and event you can look forward to.

How to get there

During the Valletta 2018 opening, a special public transport schedule  and other special arrangements will be provided to make it easier to the general public to travel to and  from the city. Further details below:

Scheduled Public Transport

Due to the celebrations held in the Triton Square,  the Valletta bus terminus will be cleared from buses from 16:30hrs until early morning. For this reason, as from this hour, bus passengers travelling to Valletta  will stop in Triq Sarria Floriana.  Commuters exiting Valletta will take the bus from the bus stops in Triq Sant'Anna Floriana under the arcades.

Public transport Special Service from Valletta to other locations will be operating up to 2.00am of the 21 January 2018.

Park & Ride

Cars must be parked at Floriana Park & Ride by not later than 17:00hrs. Entrance to Floriana P&R will not be allowed after 17:00hrs. Shuttle service from Triq Sarria to the Park and Ride will be available until 2.00am on Sunday 21 January.

Coaches and minivans

Passengers will board and alight in Triq Sarria Floriana.

Taxis

Taxi service will be available from the car park in front of Phoenicia Hotel.

Ferry Service (Birgu - Valletta and Sliema - Valletta)

This service will operate until 2.00am on Sunday 21 January.

Barrakka Lift

Barrakka lift will operate until 2.00am on Sunday 21 January.  This service will also facilitate travellers by the ferry service.

Traffic Management

Triq il-Bombi up to Triq Sant'Anna will be completely closed to traffic.  Traffic near Valletta Waterfront will not be affected.  Valletta and Floriana residents may access these locations from near Valletta Waterfront and exit same way or from near Belt is-Sebħ and down Sa Maison Hill.  Sa Maison Hill will be accessible one way traffic downwards except for vehicles giving emergency service.

We encourage the general public to make use of these special services, walk through the pedestrian paths that will be made available for safety purposes and follow  the signs.

Gozo ferry

On Saturday, Gozo Channel will be adding more ferry trips between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa so that Gozitans can have the opportunity to visit the capital city for the Official Opening of Valletta 2018.

The company will be organizing additional trips this evening, with trips from Mġarr, Gozo leaving at 11.15pm and 00.30am and from Ċirkewwa (Malta) leaving at 1.15am.

All other trips will remain according to the official winter schedule.

 

Photos: Jason Micallef, Andre Camilleri, Michael Camilleri and Domenic Aquilina