A full day of festive entertainment is on tomorrow, December 6, from 10am-4pm as Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park gets under way for 2025.

The annual community-focused Christmas fundraising event is at Mount Maunganui’s Soper Reserve – and is set to be a cracker.

There will be Christmas markets, street food, live music, free workshops, Santa’s grotto, fun football, face painting, stilt walkers, a photo booth and more.

More than 150 craft vendors were locked in for the event, Community Projects Charitable Trust representative Rachelle Duffy said.

Santa will be back in his grotto at Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park. Photo / Erin Cave

Entertainment will include the Tuatara Collective, Tauranga Big Band, Frente Sudaka, A Night Of, and father-and-sons duo Indecisive.

“Now in its 14th year, Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park event aims to create a great opportunity for the community to come together before Christmas and enjoy a full day of entertainment.

“We want to encourage community spirit and giving back to enable us to support local charities and community groups who are working with families and children.

“For a gold coin entry or a non-perishable food donation, you will get to enjoy a pre-Christmas event filled with live music, performances, arts, craft and artisan food and drink.”

Duffy said during the past two years alone, the event had raised more than $50,000 for charity “and we have seen thousands of non-perishable food items and Christmas presents donated to local charities. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

All ages are welcome to the event, with entry a gold coin or a non-perishable food donation. Find out more at: www.whatsontauranga.co.nz