The ever-popular Gourmet Night Market is returning for an ‘off-the-grid' event this weekend in honour of Earth Hour.

Earth Hour musician AliceSea will perform at the March 29 event. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

On Saturday the night market will be back at Coronation Park from 5pm – 9.30pm, coinciding with Mauao Performing Arts Centre's Summer Series concert, featuring local performers including AliceSea, Godsown, Derek Toner, Spank the Funky and K Holla.

Tauranga City Council sustainability advisor Michelle Elbourn says this is the fifth year Tauranga has had an Earth Hour event and she's thrilled to have the night market on board.

'What's different this year is every effort possible is being made to minimise the impact of the event and run it ‘off the grid'.

'We're using no electricity, instead the stage will be powered with a solar-powered generator and the Gourmet Night Market will use gas and alternatives, such as chilly bins for refrigeration.”

Being the fifth local Earth Hour event, Michelle expects more than 1500 people will take part.

'We also aim to try and be waste-free, showcasing sustainable event management.”

Earth Hour – an international event encouraging people to collectively turn their lights off for one hour – will run from 8.30pm-9.30pm.

It's designed to raise awareness of environmental issues and inspire local community action.

'Here all the lights will go out to show our support, and the audience can enjoy a fire dance and drumming performance, along with a final candlelit performance under the stars,” says Michelle.

It is an alcohol free event, and in the case of wet weather will be postponed to Sunday, March 30.