A host of movie stars, circus fun and entertainment is being planned to celebrate the newly redeveloped Wharf St.

People are being invited to Wharf St on March 12 and 13 to enjoy the fun.

Run by Downtown Tauranga, manager Alissa Dishroon says the Wharf Street Festival features a couple of highlights including a Night Owl Cinema Open Air Movie Night on the Saturday evening, March 13 and also a chance for kids to have a go at being in a circus on the Saturday morning.

'Circus in a Flash are bringing their big box of circus equipment on Saturday morning and between 11am and 2pm kids (and adults too) can come along and learn some circus tricks from a professional tutor.

'It will be a great day for the whole family to come down and enjoy lunch on Wharf St and some circus fun to boot.”

Alissa says the Night Owl Cinema's Open Air Movie night later in the evening should a unique and fun event for everyone.

'We haven't staged an open-air movie night in Wharf Street for several years and so we thought, to celebrate the newly developed street, we would treat people to a movie under the stars.

'We're encouraging the public to bring along their bean bags, cushions, rugs and pillows, enjoy a bite to eat in the city centre and then settle in for a great night's entertainment with the movie Jumanji – Next Level.”

The festival also features live music and entertainment on the Friday night, March 12.

'We're staging Friday Night Live on Wharf Street to launch into the weekend.

'Hopefully lots of people from the businesses in the city centre and the public too will come along for to relax at the end of their week and enjoy catching up with friends and colleagues at one of our restaurants, cafes or bars.

'We will entertain them with some live music and events on the street.”

Alissa says the festival is a collaboration between the businesses on the street, stakeholders, Tauranga City Council and Downtown Tauranga.

'It's a nice way for us to showcase the amazing cafes, bars, restaurants and businesses on the street and to show the many different ways this unique new space can be activated and enjoyed.

'The businesses on the street traded through a challenging 2020 with the redevelopment works and Covid-19.

"This is just one small way we can celebrate the street and we hope the public really get behind this festival and come and show their support for our amazing and hardworking city centre businesses.”

For full details of the Wharf Street Festival with runs March 12 and 13 go to www.downtowntauranga.co.nz