Winter is here and the temperatures might be dropping, but a new carnival starting in the Tauranga city centre this month is guaranteed to leave you feeling all warm and cosy.

Downtown Tauranga's inaugural Winter Carnival begins next week and will see more than 20 events happening in and around the CBD and wider area until July 23.

Wharf St, where the Open Air Movie Night will take place on July 23.

There'll be acrobatics, music, children's pop-up reading rooms, Shakespeare, comedy, movie screenings, light displays and even a Greek Summer Party which begins the carnival on Friday, July 15, says events coordinator Rose Webb.

'Although it's colder and darker outside, this shouldn't stop the public from going out and having fun. Whether it's an outing with friends, a trip with the kids or a night out with the whole family.

'Mainstreet always looks to collaborate within the city centre business community and stakeholders to achieve more for the centre, it's a great feeling to see so much happening during the middle of winter.”

A total of 28 events are taking place across the city centre and there's definitely something for everyone in the whole family – just in time for the school holidays.

One event Rose is looking forward to is the Kids Pop Up Reading Room which will be based in the arcade outside the Tauranga City Library and involves local celebrities reading great books to children from July 18-23.

'Some of the celebrities include Harold the Life Education Giraffe, More FMs radio hosts Renee Pink and Justin Evans, a police officer, firefighters and even a kid's fire engine tour and a puppet show.

'I'm also looking forward to our Open Air Movie Night on July 23, I can't wait to see families join us again to enjoy a movie under the stars for the screening of Rio.”

The Winter Carnival takes place in the Tauranga CBD from July 15-23. For more information and the full list of events visit: www.downtowntauranga.co.nz