A severe weather watch is not enough to deter organisers of Whangarei's Christmas Festival tomorrow.
The Metservice has warned Northlanders to prepare for the possibility of severe gales and heavy rain across the region tomorrow and into Sunday.
"We are planning to go ahead with the festival, but we are all keeping a close eye on the weather report. We think festival will squeeze in before the heavy rain that's due later on," said Venues and Events Whangarei marketing and events manager Rachel O'Gorman.
"Unfortunately we can't control the weather. We don't intend to postpone it as the weather looks very wet and windy for the following days.
"The field has excellent drainage; It's a sand field so drains very quickly so no one will be sitting in puddles. Just remember to bring a blanket, jacket and umbrella."
There will be covered seating in the grandstand if people want to sit there, she said.
Entertainment includes the Donen, Ben Ratima, Co Lab, Take 2, Frozen's "Elsa", Taylah Barker, Whangarei Primary School Choir, Hatea Kapahaka, More FM's Santa's Superstars, Rock n Roll Club, Northland Hip Hop Dance, Emma Scott Rankin, Max Wooding, The Cult Hips Hop Dance, Fantasy Cheerleaders, and of course - Santa.
The gates at Toll Stadium will open at 4.30pm, the show will start at 5.30pm, and it will be a wrap by 9.40pm
If Venues and Events Whangarei are forced to cancel, an announcement will be made on Northland 91.6 More FM, the Toll Stadium Facebook Page and Venues and Events Website.