The Tauranga night sky will be lit up once more when the winter lights celebration returns for two nights.

Winter Nights, Winter Lights is an event organised by the Tauranga City Council and will feature a range of interactive light installations.

The art pieces are designed by Auckland-based artist Angus Muir, who works with space and objects to create installations that are innovative and stimulating.

Tauranga City Council manager of city events Gareth Wallis is looking forward to the event and hopes it will encourage people to come out this winter.

'It's so easy to curl up in front of the fire and hibernate in winter, but Tauranga's Winter Nights, Winter Lights is designed to pull us out of our pyjamas, grab our woolly hats and embrace the colder months.

'The event is family friendly and designed to inspire parents and kids alike. Combining art and technology, people of all ages will find something that captures their spirit and fills their minds with imagination and wonder.”

Extrude is a light display that is responsive to human interaction. Photo: Supplied.

One of the installations to see on the night is ‘Extrude' which is a display that has 16 colour-changing light posts that tower 10 metres high.

Extrude is designed to be viewed both at a distance and up close and responds to those who come close.

Laser shows on the cascading wall of water will run every half hour from 6pm – 9.30pm throughout both nights.

The winter light celebration will be located on Tauranga's waterfront on Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15.

People can come into town at any time between 6pm and 9.30pm, grab a bite from The Little Big Market's ‘Winter Bites' food stalls or from one of the many bars and restaurants in the CBD and enjoy the light shows.

Tauranga City and Bay of Plenty Regional Councils have teamed up to provide extended Bayhopper bus hours for the event.