Family-friendly Kawerau Christmas in the Park

Saturday 16 December 2023

The Radio 1XX Community Christmas concert (Afternoon show) will highlight local talent, directed by Pari Maxwell with a team of community volunteers, with MC Colin Magee (Radio 1XX).  While the evening show is directed by Pari Maxwell.  This will be a variety of top class artists and acts; aimed to entertain all age groups.

The artists will be announced on Monday 4 December.

Kawerau Christmas in the Park kicks off at 11am, with the New World Kawerau Santa Parade. Starting from the Ron Hardie Recreation Centre, the parade will do two laps of town before ending at Prideaux Park. The prize giving will be on stage at 12.15pm. Anyone interested in having a float in the parade can collect entry forms from the Kawerau isite (Plunket Street). Float registration deadline is Friday December 8.

Kawerau Christmas in the Park is the Eastern Bay of Plenty’s showcase festive entertainment event, which sees up to 10,000 people packing into Prideaux Park for the celebration. Kawerau District Council events and venues manager Lee Barton says this year’s event promises to be fantastic. 

“Kawerau Christmas in the Park attracts people from all over the district, as well as from outside the Bay of Plenty 

“We hope to finish the evening off again with our spectacular firework display, but as with previous years, this is assessed by Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) closer to show date.  Fingers crossed the weather is kind to us.” Mr Barton said.

The event is family-friendly – drugs, alcohol and gang regalia are not permitted.  Security will be in operation all day. 

The organisers would also like to remind event comers that Prideaux Park is a smoke and vape-free venue.

- ends -

For more information, please contact Tania Humberstone, communications manager, 027 464 3785 or tania.humberstone@kaweraudc.govt.nz

Kawerau Christmas in the Park event timetable