Everyone looks forward to New Year's Eve: an evening when everyone forgets about his troubles and problems and gets away from the usual routine.

Weeks before the end of the year, one starts planning where to spend new year's eve, bidding farewell to the year which would have just passed and welcoming the new year, hoping that it will be better than the previous one. Every year, there are various parties that are organised in different localities.

To give a few examples, parties being organised this year are at the Waterfront, the Mediterranean Conference Centre and Gianpula. The New Year's Eve party organised at the trade fair grounds in Naxxar will go ahead but without the Beatles show being planned.

The party at the Waterfront is being organised by Keith and Co Creations. The party, being held inside the newly-refurbished Pinto Vaults, will be split into three music areas. There will be a house arena which will be mastered by Jeff and Toby with Fish on the percussions. There will be a pop zone with Clayton J, Franco and Malcolm B and finally the Lounge area with piped instrumental, ethnic and alternative music for those who would prefer a quiet drink in a more tranquil surroundings.

This party includes a full open bar, including branded spirits and foreign wines. The catering will be prepared by the Nan Yuan Cantonese Restaurant. Tickets, at Lm20 are selling like hot cakes and only a few are left.

Another party which is proving popular among the young revellers is that being organised by PM Promotions, 77, Geraldine, Fabric Promotions and Groovin Promotions at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. These have joint forces to organise a party with a difference. The organisers' reputation was enough to attract the crowd and all-inclusive tickets are practically sold out.

At this party, there will be a full open bar with Chinese and Turkish buffet, as well as finger food. The organisers have left no stone unturned while organising this event with ample parking, several cloakrooms and music by DJs Malcolm Galea, Jesmar, Owen Jay and Duncan F, with the latter performing exclusively at this event.

There will be plenty of good food, surprises at midnight and other innovative ideas. Patrons at this party might want to watch out for the event's official photographer who will be taking happy shots of the party. The photos will later be uploaded on the website www.nyemalta.com.

Another party is being organised by G7 at Gianpula. G7 have a reputation of organising high-standard parties for the past years and this year will surely not be an exception.

At these parties, doors will open at 9.30pm and the organisers have urged all those attending to arrive early in order to avoid congestion at the entrance.

Attempts to contact organisers of other New Year's Eve parties failed.

To prevent accidents, the police are advising people not to drink and drive.