It returned last year after a two-year absence, was the best attended ‘White Night’ ever – but has yet again fallen victim to Loulé council’s ongoing financial problems.
The popular ‘Noite Branca’ party – one of the highlights of the Algarve’s summer season – will be returning next year, promise council chiefs, blaming the previous administration’s €80 million debt for their reluctant decision.
“Our intention is not to scrap the event – far from it,” said a council spokesman. “The White Night will be back in 2015 and we are working hard to make the next event a success, and bring the same high number of visitors to Loulé.”
Last year’s event actually brought more than 40,000 revellers to the party that many see as the Algarve’s ‘farewell to the summer’.
It was the first White Night for two years, as in 2011 the council opted to focus on projects that supported local people, particularly the most vulnerable.
Nonetheless, Noite Branca is still seen as one of the highlights of the Algarve’s tourist calendar. Party-goers are encouraged to dress in white and the town’s streets are decked out in the same colour, to excellent effect.
The town’s first Noite Branca in 2007 brought tens of thousands of people to Loulé and resulted in record sales in local shops and restaurants.
