The Christmas ‘grotto’ just outside the town of Għajnsielem will be vacant for some time on Sunday as the Holy Family joins the traditional procession, held every year on Christmas Eve in various localities.

The grotto is part of the life-size crib – Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem – which covers an area of 20,000 square metres and features about 150 actors.

It is the brainchild of Franco Ciangura, who first organised a live crib in the Għajnsielem parish square 17 years ago.

About 15,000 people are estimated to have visited the live crib in the first four days of this, its ninth edition, notwithstanding the wet and inclement weather.

The vast nativity scene in Għajnsielem is also mentioned as a festive highlight in CNN Travel’s list of the best 15 places for a Christmas vacation, which includes Malta.

This year, the venue also includes a small perfumery house, which accompanies other attractions: a carpenter and blacksmith’s house, a bakery, a market selling fresh fruit, fish and vegetables, a tavern, a local crafts area and a barn.

The adoration of the Magi will bring Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem to a close on January 7. The trip leading the Three Kings to the Gozitan village will start on January 3, when a Maltese contingent, accompanied by representatives of four Italian local councils that organise similar live cribs, will make its way to Rome.

Back in Malta on January 7, the Magi will depart from Mellieħa at 10am to their final destination.

Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem is sponsored by the local council with the support of the Gozo Ministry and various NGOs.

It will be open on Saturday from 4.30pm to 8.30pm, Sunday from 2.30pm to 6pm, Christmas Day from 3.30pm to 8pm, Boxing Day from 2.30pm to 7.30pm, December 30 from 4.30 to 8.30pm and January 31 from 2.30pm to 6pm. Visiting hours on New Year’s Day are from 3.30pm to 8pm, January 6 from 4.30pm until 8pm and from 2pm till 8pm on January 7.

More information may be found on on www.ghajnsielem.com/bethlehem.