The Merivale community is inviting people to join them in getting in the Christmas spirit tomorrow.

The MerryVale Christmas Festival is being held between 3 to 6pm at the Merivale School and is free to the public.

'We have a range of entertainment for tamariki – balloon artists, face painters, petting zoo, bouncy castles and rides, and other fun activities,” says Merivale Community Centre general manager Sophie Rapson.

'There will be a free sausage sizzle and other food stalls. The kids will also be performing for their whanau and community. The kapa haka group and school band will be performing and our very own Merivale's Got Talent competition.

'There will be loads of spot prizes and fun games and even a visit from Santa.

'We hold our Christmas Festival every year to celebrate the year that has been with our whanau and tamariki and give them a space to perform and show off their talents. It's a time for our community to come together and end the year with aroha.

'It's a lovely free event to bring people together. We will be doing a foodbank collection, so people are welcome to bring along something to donate to that wonderful cause,” says Sophie.