The traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations which are held every year in Valletta will be replaced by a television variety show owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Valletta Cultural Agency announced on Tuesday.
In their monthly ‘What’s On’ update, the Valletta Cultural Agency said that due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, “the Valletta National New Year’s Eve 2021 Variety Show, which will be broadcast on TVM and other major local television stations, will this year replace the event that is usually held in Valletta ushering in the New Year.”
The show will feature different local popular hosts, stand-up comedians, The Palace String Orchestra featuring 12 musicians and four popular local singers including Amber, Jasmine, Aidan and Kevin Paul, who will entertain audiences throughout the three-hour show.
Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Ember Trio, who will be performing in different iconic Valletta landmarks including inside St John’s Co-Cathedral, are a highlight of the evening, the VCA said.
Other well-wishers include the famous UK stand-up comedian Michael McIntyre, they added.
The show will take place from 10pm on 31 December to 1am on 1 January – the first day of 2021.
A special fireworks display will take off from the Valletta’s Grand Harbour and its surroundings at midnight.
The VCA said that the variety show is not open to the public and will be broadcast live from Fort St Elmo on television.
The show is being organised by G7 events and is supported by a Partnership Agreement for Large-Scale Events and initiatives with the Valletta Cultural Agency within the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.
Photo: The celebrations held in Valletta to usher in 2020