The Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry is for the first time organising a Christmas Village at the National Park in Ta’ Qali, to be held between Thursday 13 and Sunday, 16 December.

The idea was born after the success and large public participation in the Family Feast which was held in the same location a few weeks ago to commemorate the opening of the park’s extension for the public.

This will be a different kind of occasion where everybody can celebrate the end of another year. Whoever attends the Christmas Village can enjoy a varied programme for all the family. Entrance will be free and opening times will be from 10 am till late in the evening.

The site is to be divided into five parts with attractions for children, cultural activities in the Greek Theatre and a demonstration with different seasonal foods such as Christmas logs.

Two Masses will be celebrated on the Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 9am.

In the evening there will be different bands and singers playing, with various themes such as ‘Christmas by Candlelight’, ‘Christmas with the Stars’ and ‘Christmas Unplugged’.

On Thursday, 13 December Chiara, Nadine Axisa and Mark Spiteri Lucas’s band will play. On Friday there will be a concert by the Big Band Brothers and performances by Fabrizio Faniello, Claudia Faniello, Olivia Lewis and Mike Spiteri from 9pm.

On Saturday, 15 December a tree planting initiative will take place, organised by the 34U Campaign in the afforestation gardens in Ta’Qali. Whoever wishes to commemorate Christmas by planting a personalised tree and contributing to making Malta greener, can phone on 2295 2333 or email [email protected].

The musical events on Saturday evening will end with a concert by Ivan Filletti ‘Unplugged’ between 10.15 and 10.45pm, followed by a live concert by the band Fakawi. The weekend of activities will end on Sunday with more activities for the family until 6pm.