The Christmas spirit is coming to Mount Maunganui today.

Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park will get underway at Soper Reserve from 10am to 4pm.

“We would love as many people as possible to come to this event as all contributions go to local charities who support local families in need,” says The Little Big Markets social and marketing manager, Millie Guest.

“Come to this event, because it’s doing well for our community.”

All proceeds from the event are donated towards local charities for those who need it most.

“To enter you must bring a gift, gold coin or non-perishable food item.

 “This event has Christmas markets, live music, free workshops, free photo booths, free Fun First football, Backyard Games, street food, Stuff the Bus, Santa's grotto and more to come!

“It’s a really fun day, everything is free.”

Millie says people can enjoy a day of run while doing your part to help the community.

This is then all collected into Stuff the Bus and distributed to the charities in time for Christmas. Any type of gift is welcome.

All the gifts collected and put into Stuff the Bus last year. Erin from IKL Photography, www.ilkphotography.co.nz

“Anything for babies, toddlers, slightly older kids, it could be wet wipes and nappies.

“It could be toys, clothes, things that would mean a lot to people, we cater for all different ages.

“We make sure we give things to charities that they need. So they'll say, ‘we really want stuff for boy’s age zero to three,’ so we’ll make sure they get that.

“It's a truly wonderful family day out and we want to make sure our community knows about it.

“The more people that come along to this event the more we can help people that need it most.”

See what else is happening in and around Tauranga below:

Art in the Park
Original art for sale. Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui. 9am - 4pm. Weather permtting. Tauranga Society of Artists

Association Croquet
Sat, Mon,Wed at Club Mt Maunganui, 45 Kawaka St. 9.15am for 9.30am start. Visitors & new players welcome. Ph. Malcolm 027 681 5204

Bay Singles Social Group
Join a bunch of over 50's young singles.Weekend dinners, pot lucks, occasional outings. Have a go! Ph Delia 027 284 8762, Andrea 021 133 0313

Boules - Petanque
Tauranga BOP Club, Tawa Street, Mt Maunganui. Social + competitive play. Boules available. New players welcome. Ph Ray 027 756 3565 for times, further details.

FestiveFun in Santa’s Grotto
Santa will be visiting the Tauranga City Centre 2 Grey Street Saturdays up till Christmas: 2, 9, 16 and 23 December, 10am – 3pm Talk to Santa and his elf helper and enjoy the spirit of Christmas and hear all about the North pole!

Free Repair Cafe Tauranga
Get your objects fixed for free! Volunteers come together and repair items destined for landfill. 148 Durham st, Tauranga. Last Saturday of month 9.30-11.30am.

Give it a GoCircus
Come along to Red Square 10:30-1:30pm and learn circus skills like juggling, plate spinning, hula hooping &other circus tricks with the amazing Circus in a Flash

Taijiquan and Qigong
Sat & Wed 9:00 a.m. free Taiji / Qigong group. Kulim Park on beach by big rock. All welcome. Ph Petro 021 751 665

Tauranga Senior Citizens Club
Indoor Bowls 14 Norris Street. (behind Pak'n'Save) Come and give it ago. Start 1.45 pm. 1st time free Ph Carol 002 639 2411

Tauranga Social Dance Club
All welcome to our Christmas Sequence Dance 7pm Sat 9th December Wesley Methodist Church Hall 100/13th Ave Christmas Supper Raffles and Spot Prizes Ph 5763455

Village Radio Museum
Community Radio broadcasting nostalgic music & Community notices seven days on 1368 KHz AM Band and Live streaming on villageradio.co.nz Museum open from 10am. Request line 5713710