Tauranga's longstanding community Christmas concert, A Night Before Christmas, is making its triumphant return this year after two years of cancellations from Covid-19.

Held in the beautiful park-like fields of Bethlehem College, the event will ring in the festive season on Saturday, December 17.

With the event last taking place in 2019, the much-anticipated return will be a large-scale celebration for the community to finally come together again and kick off the Christmas holidays on a high.

With tickets to the show being completely free, the event has attracted well over 10,000 people in the past, having been running since 1996.

Started on the banks of the Wairoa River with 150 people, the event has grown considerably over the years, becoming a tradition for many families to attend year after year.

A Night Before Christmas welcomes a widespread audience, with attendees spanning across generations and the event being one of the largest family-friendly concerts in the Bay of Plenty.

The event will once again serve up a fantastic lineup of music, dance, Kapa Haka and a spectacular fireworks display.

Acts have just been announced, and include past favourites, Late 80's Mercedes, as well as local singer-songwriter, Georgia Lines, who is currently flying high in the charts.

The young, up-and-coming band, Albert Street, who were the 2020 Waikato regional Smokefreerockquest winners, will also perform, as well as local dance studio, KJ Studios, Kapa Haka groups, TYRA and Ayla Wesley.

The hugely popular Christmas Carols segment will once again be provided by the Bethlehem Baptist Church band.

A Night Before Christmas will continue its legacy of being a free community concert for thousands of families in the region, with free tickets available online now.

Attendees will need to book their free tickets online in advance, and can show their ticket on their phone or printed out at entry.

The free tickets are available now, by visiting www.anbc.co.nz

Event organisers say attendees should be quick to secure their free tickets, as gauging by crowds at past events, all available spaces will be snapped up early.

A Night Before Christmas is proudly hosted by Bethlehem Baptist Church, and is supported by major funders Tauranga & Western Bay Community Event Fund, Tauranga City Council, Stout Trust, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage and Matua Foundation. Local business sponsors currently on board include G.J. Gardner Homes, Reef Synergy, Papamoa Pak'n Save, ABS Electrical, Katikati Four Square, Brookfield Pharmacy, Brunel Construction, PlaceMakers Mount Maunganui, Tauranga Pak'nSave and Keam Standen.

The event media partners are Sun Media and MediaWorks, with supply partners Kale Print, Aim Hire, Endless Fencing, Rotorua Generator Hire, Waste Wizards and Events Innovated.