Dust off the deck chairs and pull out the picnic basket because the Interislander Summer Festival is coming back to Tauranga this New Year.

The Interislander Summer Festival Tauranga Races returns to Tauranga Racecourse on January 2.

Interislander Summer Festival Tauranga Races is a popular day out and is packed full of exciting thoroughbred racing, live music, free children's entertainment and atmosphere aplenty.

Families are encouraged to rally their friends, set up a base camp and join other Tauranga residents and holidaymakers for a day of summer fun in the sun.

The Weekend Sun has an Interislander Summer Festival Pack to give away, which includes four adult entry tickets and a picnic blanket so you can kick back, relax and enjoy a day in the sun.

Tickets can be used at an Interislander Summer Festival event of your choice. Children under 18 years are free.

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competitions section. Entries must be received before Wednesday, January 1.