The white night returns tonight | Notte Bianca

During Notte Bianca, State palaces and museums will open their doors to delight patrons with visual art exhibitions and theatre performances, while the open-air streets and piazzas will showcase some of the finest local and international performers, musicians and dancers. Cafes and restaurants will be open until late with further food stalls and kiosks occupying the streets.

Music

The Upper Barrakka Gardens and Independence Square will see some of Malta's brightest bands, including nosnow/noalps, The Crowns and Cruz, take to the stage to get the crowd going. Local lauded multi-percussionist Renzo Spiteri will delight patrons at the beautiful courtyard of the Ministry of Finance with a mesmerising percussive showcase that explores new musical and rhythmic territories.

The Areola Treat - one of many bands performing during Notte Bianca.

At the Manoel Theatre, Dutch pianist Mike del Ferro will be giving three musical sets during the night. He will be performing a versatile programme of his own compositions inspired by operatic themes, jazz standards and other favourites.

Choirs, marching bands, and folk ensembles will be performing all around the city throughout the night.

Theatre

QED, a critically acclaimed play about a day in the life of the eccentric Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman will be taking place at the St James Cavalier as part of the Science in the City events.

The Manoel Theatre will be presenting director Josette Ciappara's tribute drama performance Il-Jien u lil hinn Minnu; a dramatisation of the poem of the same by the much-loved Maltese poet, writer and ecclesiastical figure Dun Karm Psaila. Also, the much-loved Maleth Theatre Company will be debuting their play Do You See Yourself in This? at the MITP in St Christopher Street.

Dance

The Malta Argentine Tango Association will be demonstrating steps from flamenco, ballroom, and Latin dance in Strait Street. St John's Square will get the modern treatment thanks Urban Echo Troupe's hip-hop and breakdance skills.

Mavin Khoo. Photo by John Grech.

Dance enthusiasts should also relish a unique opportunity to observe internationally acclaimed dancer/choreographer Mavin Khoo (above) and his dance company rehearsing at the MITP for their upcoming Akasha show.

On every street you turn there will be traditional Maltese dancing, Zumba, fire dancing and much much more.

Exhibitions and more

During Notte Bianca, Science in the City will be presenting a host of weird and wonderful events including a Sci-Bar on Merchant's Street, a science and art exhibition called Why? at St James Cavalier, a science inspired doughnut-shaped bus called Joyride at St George's Square, as well as many other insightful science related events at the Auberge d'Italie, Palazzo Parisio, and Strait Street. 

The Malta Artisan Fair - taking place in front of the Stock Exchange next to Upper Barrakka Gardens - will offer a magical market place experience with beautiful local innovative arts and crafts products, and fresh artisan foods and produce sold directly from the artist and producer.

M/S Hulda, the 106-year old 2-mast sailing boat where Swedish-Turkish artist Ilhan Koman worked and lived, will dock at Ta' Liesse and present the Hulda Festival; an innovative platform that's aims to build bridges between sciences, arts and daily life. Notte Bianca patrons are invited to come aboard and let their imaginations sail the seas of multi-cultural art pieces and ideas.

For more information log on to the Notte Bianca official website.