The Christmas spirit has touched down early in Tauranga CBD, albeit with a unique twist.

Passersby will have noticed contractors hard at work in Red Square, where a giant advent calendar is being built.

The calendar is a community initiative led by Tauranga City Council, in collaboration with Mainstreet Downtown Tauranga and project partners Big Picture, Resene and Dobsons.

It promises members of public a new treat each day, from this Saturday.

A different window will be opened each day to display one of the 24 unique 3D hand crafted Christmas displays created by Mockingbird (in association with Acorn Foundation), Bethlehem Pottery Club, St John Youth, Inspire Education, Kai Aroha Charity Group, Tuskany Agency, Downtown Tauranga and the Christmas Heirloom Company.

Downtown Tauranga spokesperson Millie Newitt says the Giant Advent calendar is part of a number of Christmas in the city initiatives this year.

'To create a truly unique experience in the city centre we have a range of initiatives that we know will delight children, families and those coming into the city to shop, dine, work or play. It's about creating unique and memorable experiences and about collaborating with a diverse number of community groups to create Christmas magic in the city centre.”

Millie says the advent calendar has been very much a community project.

'We couldn't have done it without Richard Parker from Black Chilli who constructed the massive calendar, along with Resene's and Big Picture and Dobson's our other sponsors.

'In collaboration with Tauranga City Council it has been Downtown Tauranga's privilege to engage with a number of community groups and invite them to create a unique a dynamic 3D display to go in the windows. Each day we will open one of the windows, starting this Saturday, so that every day the public can come to Red Square, discover the new display and share in the magic of 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 the much-anticipated summer holiday period.

'This is an exciting time of year to come together as a community, celebrate our people and what makes us unique.”