Thousands of persons flocked to Malta’s capital city Valletta on Saturday afternoon to celebrate Carnival 2007. The sunny, warm weather allowed Carnival organizers to parade their floats around the streets, as adults and children showed off their costumes while watching the spectacle unfold.

Merriment was also rife in Freedom Square where hundreds of people gathered in the enclosure to enjoy dance shows held by local talent groups.

undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefinedMalta Carnival 2007 started on Friday with float defiles, dances and glee. Malta’s Carnival will be celebrated up until Tuesday 20th February, starting at 1800CET with dancing competitions followed by the entrance of Section D, and company floats in Carnival enclosure in Valletta.

Many were those who crowded the Carnival Enclosure in Valletta on Friday evening which was characterised by dancing competitions followed by the entrance of Section D and company floats in the Carnival Enclosure. The tickets cost Lm 1.50. 

Saturday’s Carnival celebrations started at 0930CET with Children's Carnival activities including dancing, a float defile and merriment along Republic Street, Valletta as well as in the Carnival enclosure, with tickets costing Lm2.00c.

At 1530CET the enclosure also saw a number of dancing competitions followed by the entrance of triumphal floats and bands.

Carnival activities on Saturday and Sunday will also be held at the Valletta Waterfront on organised by Viset Maltain collaboration with the Malta Carnival Committee and the Federation of European Carnival Activities in Malta and Gozo.

On both nights, a party starts at 20:00CET, with a repertoire by the Mellieha's La Vittoria Band. The band has along the century performed in all towns and villages of Maltaand Gozo as well in Sicily and Tunisia. Later on in the evening, the Spiteri Lucas Band will provide entertainment under the direction of Mark Spiteri Lucas. The band will play tunes including Latin and sing-along melodies.

Throughout both evenings, visitors can try their luck as many spot prizes are up for grabs during costume competitions and carnival games. Entrance to the Carnival Street Party is free of charge. Visitors to the Valletta Waterfront can also enjoy a meal or a drink at one of the eating and drinking places along the water's edge, or visit the shopping outlets, which will remain open throughout the evenings.

As tradition goes, Sunday will be marked by the entrance of the grand defile in carnival enclosure as well as along Valletta streets. Carnival dancing competition will also take place. Activities start at 1400CET, with tickets for the enclosure priced at Lm 3.50c.

Monday’s activities will commence in the evening, at 1800CET, with more dancing competitions and dancing companies’ floats putting on a show in the carnival enclosure. Tickets are priced at Lm 1.50c.

Activities will continue on Tuesday from 1600CET onwards with the entrance of Gran Defile in Carnival enclosure. Enclosure tickets will be priced at Lm 1.50c. Malta Carnival 2007 will wrap up at 1830CET with the final Gran Finale in St. Anne's Street, Floriana.

Although activities have been marred by wind and rainover in the past, this upcoming Carnival weekend is expected to be celebrated in mainly favourable weather conditions.

For more information about Carnival in Malta visit MaltaMedia's special feature: Carnival in Malta and Gozo.