Christmas at the Park is shaping up to be a stunner this year with a 29 degree forecast in place and construction work now under way at Anderson Park.
Event organiser David Trim said a large clamshell stage from Auckland arrived yesterday to mark the beginning of what will be a small village for Saturday's event.
"We start with a bare patch of land and work for three days to build a small village with 1.5 kilometres of fencing, power, toilets and lighting."
As per the alternative city programme for the Christmas concert, Mr Trim said the event would be held in Napier this year as it was hosted at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds in 2016.
Now in his 11th year of organising the event, he said there was a "real buzz" about this year's event as all the elements had come together well.
"Weather forecasters are suggesting a 29-degree day with high cloud, making it a great day for a Christmas concert."
Benny Tipene and Omega Levine are headlining the concert while local band Badger and Fraser Mack will also make an appearance.
Mr Trim said the entertainment would be proceeded by pyrotechnics, a crowd favourite, that would conclude the evening with a bang at 9.35pm.
"Our fireworks display is totally unique. We're the first one in New Zealand to do a display of its type and people always rave about the pyrotechnic show that we do.
"It's such a fun, great atmosphere and there's nowhere else that you could get the artists and professional show that we put on for free entry."
The event organiser said a huge amount of preparation had gone into the event, including involvement from local clubs, schools, churches and more than 300 volunteers.
"I think it's one of the things that really creates a buzz about it - it's the community running a community event," he said.
Free face painting will be on offer with food, drink and glow sticks to purchase on the night.
A collection will be taken up during the event with funds raised going towards the Hawkes' Bay Plunket's baby car seat programme.
Mr Trim said the family-friendly event would have a strict alcohol ban with any alcohol and glass to be confiscated.
Gates open at 2pm, with carparking available off Freyberg Ave with a gold coin fee, and entertainment will run from 5pm to 9.45pm.