Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542372
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 JANUARY 2026 CULTURE IT is estimated that 70,000 people gathered in Vallet- ta — mostly in St George's Square, the main streets in Valletta, Triton Square and along the streets of Grand Harbour where a spectac- ular 25-minute pyrotech- nic display was let off — to welcome the start of 2026. The huge celebrations in Valletta included an amaz- ing show in St George's Square by prominent local artists Glen Vella, Aidan, Drakard, Denise, Gaia, Karin Duff, Keith Zammit Mintoff, Klinsmann and Miriana Conte amongst others. The show culmi- nated with a performance by the international artist John Newman. The show was hosted by local hosts Ron, Jamie Cardona and Taryn Mamo Cefai, who al- so worked on a special song for the evening. A spectacular fireworks display, the largest ever for the New Year's Eve cele- brations, was let off in the Grand Harbour at mid- night. Huge crowds were seen in various vantage points around the Grand Harbour to watch the spec- tacular display in the beau- tiful backdrop of the Grand Harbour. This was the largest New Year's Eve celebration in Valletta to date, conclud- ing the Valletta Cultural Agency's programme for 2025, marking a year of successful events organised by the Agency. The Valletta National New Year's Eve Celebra- tion is organised by G7 Events and made possible through a Cultural Part- nership Agreement with the Valletta Cultural Agen- cy within the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government. This event is also supported by the Mal- ta Tourism Authority. 70,000 people attended celebrations in Valletta NEW YEAR'S EVE