Alcohol free is the key point of difference between the 20th Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, which is happening on Saturday at the Auckland Domain from 7.30pm, and previous events.
Police, Auckland Council and Coca Cola have agreed to a complete alcohol ban, the first in the concert's 20 year history, in an effort to improve levels of safety in and around the event and neighbouring suburbs before, during and after its conclusion.
Event organisers are responsible for security in and around the event while Police will provide support to security services employed by the organisers.
Auckland City District Police Commander, Superintendent Mike Clement, says Coca Cola Christmas in the Park has always been billed as a family friendly event, so extending the usual peripheral alcohol ban to take in the event site itself makes perfect sense.
"Christmas in the Park is the only public event where alcohol has traditionally been permitted to be brought in and consumed there. By making it alcohol free, it falls into line with all other such public events.