Notte Bianca

Notte Bianca is one of Malta’s biggest annual arts and culture festivals. For one special night every October, Notte Bianca lights up the Valletta cityscape with a spectacular celebration that is open to the public free of charge. State palaces and museums open their doors to delight patrons with visual art exhibitions and theatre performances. Streets and piazzas are transformed into venues for open-air performances and concerts, while many cafés and restaurants extend their opening hours. The entire city of Valletta, from City Gate to Fort St Elmo, comes alive for Notte Bianca, guaranteeing a memorable night that truly holds something for everyone. Festivalgoers can experience the very best in music, dance, theatre, the visual arts, literary events, as well as explore the emerging world of new and digital arts. During Notte Bianca, Valletta’s streets and public spaces are used in innovative, creative ways thanks to a mix of roaming and site-specific projects.

The Notte Bianca organisation team endeavours to bring forth the Maltese Artist as a professional creator to the public. Artists are encouraged to bring out their creativity, thus spurring innovation. Every year, the team seeks to push the boundaries of festival-making through the artistic commitments built with artists. Collaboration between the team and the artist is a key factor in co-producing a cohesive act. Notte Bianca in Valletta inspires the Maltese community to experience art and culture in one city for just one night. The idea of creating a ‘festival vibe’ coincides with further bridging the gaps between artist and community by strengthening the concept of a holistic artistic space. The festival also features Atmosfera, a fringe programme of events inspired by the hustle and bustle of capital city life.

In addition to the official Notte Bianca events, festivalgoers are further spoilt for choice as many of Valletta’s churches, state palaces and museums open their doors to visitors until the early hours, some of which will also be playing host to art exhibitions and performances. Streets and piazzas will be transformed into venues for open-air theatrics and concerts, while many cafes and restaurants will extend their hours, some even operating street food stalls. Every which way you turn, you are bound to stumble upon another festival treat.

Every year, Notte Bianca strives to forge international links. The organisation team aims at creating such bonds through collaborations between foreign and Maltese acts.

The objectives surrounding such collaborations are to:

- increase awareness and knowledge of foreign and Maltese art and culture,
- co-create multi-dimensional and multi-cultural performances.
- have a network of artists (foreign and local) from which future collaborations can occur.