There are thousands of people worldwide who, fueled by passion, take to the streets to sing, dance, and perform. Not to make money but for the love of being in front of an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. In Malta, the annual all-night Notte Bianca festival brings these talents together in Malta’s beautiful capital city of Valletta for one magical night.
This year, Notte Bianca unfurls on Saturday, 5 October and promises to transform Valletta’s piazzas and cultural venues into open-air showcases of creativity, collaboration and camaraderie. It’s the biggest arts and culture festival in Malta. Last year, more than 250 artists (mostly local ) and tens of thousands of spectators filled the streets, theatres, state palaces, and museums to witness music, dance, theatre, visual arts, digital art, and exhibitions.
Meaning “White Night”, Notte Bianca is organised by Festivals Malta is held every October for one night only. Characterised by over-the-top fanfare, showmanship and talent, Notte Bianca fills the streets of Valletta with wonder. And —it’s open to the public and free of charge.
Many cafés and restaurants extend their opening hours too, ensuring a pulsating good time.
Malta invites local and international performers to participate in the annual Notte Bianca Festival
What to Expect at Malta’s Notte Bianca
The festival’s exact programme can be downloaded here but here are a few highlights:
Music
Music fans can dip their ears into a diverse array of sounds, from punk and metal to jazz and pop to classical performances and DJs in the streets. A classical guitar quartet will be strumming pieces from various genres at the City Gate Steps. Or two-step over to Upper Barrakka Gardens where Malta’s Queen of Country Marisa D’Amato will perform for fans.
The amazing Morgan Mage will be performing in the gorgeous Grand Salon of the National Museum of Archeology, an act that combines music, lighting and magic.
Dance
Look for dance troupes around the capital to perform polka contemporary, tango, and others. Don’t miss ‘Street Elements,‘ a hip-hop dance group will perform at Valletta Campus Theatre.
DJs
Dance the night away at Laparelli Gardens to a line-up of DJs spinning tunes into the wee hours.
Jugglers
Jugglers will be performing throughout the city centre and will even teach spectators some juggling tricks.
Theatre
Theatre lovers are never disappointed at Notte Bianca, with performances on stages around Valletta. Check out the impressive work of Ignite Theatre Malta, an organisation set up to give opportunities for young creatives to own and manage their own theatre production company. They’ll be performing at Our Lady of Pilar Church.
Hidden Jewels
Notte Bianca offers the opportunity to visit some of the hidden jewels of Valletta, such as the Auberge de Bavière, which will once again open its doors to welcome curious audiences during Notte Bianca. Auberge de Bavière is a palace in Valletta, first built as Palazzo Carneiro in 1696. It was the residence of Grand Master Marc’Antonio Zondadari in the early 18th century. During Notte Bianca, the palace will showcase an artistic exhibition.
On Festival Malta’s website, Notte Bianca Artistic Director Antoine Farrugia commented, “My colleagues call it Notte Bianca, others call it White Night or even Lejl Imdawwal (a White Night in Maltese) …Nuit Blanche for the French or La Noche en Blanco for our Hispanic friends…. I love to call it Your Night. Yes, your night, because while we create, we focus on you, our dearest audiences, your expectations, your enjoyment.”
He went on to say the event is an important showcase for Malta’s most talented local artists.
Festivals Malta CEO Frans Agius emphasised, “It is a celebration of the arts, offering different forms of artistic displays including visual arts, theatre, dance, music and much more. It is truly a feast for lovers of the arts”.
Have a talent you want to share during the 2025 event? Apply at info.fm@festivals.mt
Malta’s capital city of Valletta is the stage for dozens of performances
Getting to the Festival
Malta Public Transport will operate as usual to Valletta, with some routes and timetables being extended to accommodate expected large crowds. For more information, please visit the Public Transport website
As most of Valletta will host events and thousands of people will fill the streets, the following roads will be closed to vehicle traffic: St Mark Street, Old Bakery Street, Melita Street, Girolamo Cassar Street, West Street, Old Bakery Street, St Christopher Street, Merchant Street, and St Dominic Street.
For more information check out the Festivals Malta website or reach out to info.fm@festivals.mt
Tel: 00356 2334 7301
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BeSeeingYou In: Malta
Good To Know: Extensive open air night artistic entertainment free of charge
WOW! Factor: Music and revelry
Tip: Use public transport or sea ferries certain roads will be closed in Valletta
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By Albert Fenech
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Photos from Festivals Malta
