The city centre will be a hub of creativity this Christmas with more than 850 local artists and community members contributing to a unique Christmas experience in Tauranga.
Tauranga City Council, Downtown Tauranga, and Our Place Tauranga will be hosting a range of activities and experiences to inspire and delight in the build up to Christmas.
Tauranga City Council Mayor Greg Brownless says the heart of the city will be a captivating place to visit in the build up to our favourite summer holiday period.
'This is an exciting time of year to come together as a community, celebrate our people and what makes us unique.
'Creating a truly Tauranga Christmas here in the city is something we are proud to do, and with the support of local organisations and artists this year is going to be one of our best.”
With the annual Trustpower Christmas Parade on Saturday December 1, the town will be a showcase of community spirit.
Throughout the month of December, there will be a host of events and experiences including a wearable art exhibition throughout the streets, a giant advent calendar opened each day, Māori festive banners designed by local artists and life size pohutokawa tree cut-outs lining the waterfront.
'This year will also be the first Christmas with Our Place and we are thrilled to have such a lively space for the whole family to visit every day of the week,” says Greg.
There will be a Christmas grotto at Our Place alongside a range of exciting community events including night markets and Christmas in the Park.
Downtown Tauranga Spokesperson Sally Cooke says the focus this year has been on creating unique and memorable experiences in the city centre for Christmas and it's exciting to see it all taking shape.
'We love that when you visit the city centre you will experience something you can't get anywhere else.

'From the giant advent calendar to the Trustpower Christmas Parade, the Heart in the city wearable art exhibition and all the events at Our Place, we have a lot to offer alongside our boutique shopping and dining experiences.
'It will be exciting for people to come and explore, to enjoy and to appreciate all the collaborative community effort that has gone into creating this experience.”
Learn more about what's on in the city centre this Christmas at downtowntauranga.co.nz/christmas-in-the-city