‘A Night Before Christmas’

It's only 24-hours until the stage lights up at Mills Reef winery for ‘A Night before Christmas' to unfold in front of thousands of people, bringing a variety of festive entertainment with it.

Bay of Plenty residents are being encouraged to get their picnics, candles, rugs, chairs and families ready nice and early to head along to the night of music, art and entertainment.


Hailey Reece, 8, and singers John Darke and Erinia McNeilly, 15, will be performing at ‘A Night Before Christmas' tomorrow night. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

'The show will feature a variety of performers with many different genres of music offering something for everyone,” says event manager Luisa Schroder.

'So pack your picnics early and make your way to Mills Reef for ‘A Night Before Christmas'.

'The stage is set and performers are ready – including 16-year-old Erina McNeilly, who has had the chance to develop her talent during the last four years she's been part of this event.”

Erina will perform alongside entertainers such as John Darke, Georgia Lines, Ben Mollison, Venice Harris, the Urban Dance Crew and a host of performers young and old, with a surprise guest ‘Chalk Artist' coming from Auckland.

The Mills Reef gates will open at 5.30pm, with food and beverage vendors open and pre-entertainment on offer in the picturesque grounds, which can hold up to 10,000 people.

The biggest production yet – with one 40m2 LED screen, an extra 20m2 screen this year and at least 15 items of entertainment – the main event is from 7.30pm-9.40pm ending with a spectacular fireworks finale.

Sponsored by Bethlehem Baptist Church, Luisa says the night aims to present the tradition and nostalgia of Christmas in a vibrant and relevant way.

'It's set to be unique night of entertainment reflecting the Spirit of Christmas – and by virtue of it being in a town called Bethlehem, the programme reflects that.”

This popular family event is free to attend and will not permit BYO alcohol.

And in keeping with the spirit of giving, a collection will be taken for the Waipuna Hospice.

'After months of planning and rehearsal – and with thanks to enormous community funding and support – the teams from Bethlehem Baptist Church and Mills Reef are ready to welcome thousands to their free annual Christmas event,” adds Luisa.

The event at Mills Reef winery on December 20 opens at 5.30pm. For all details, including parking options and wet weather details, visit: www.anightbeforechristmas.co.nz or phone: 07 576 2344.

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