Jingling tills and bells might not reach fever pitch for some weeks but Whangarei streets are getting decked with seasons' greetings.
Whangarei District Council and local businesses are working together to create a festive atmosphere in the lead-up to Christmas and summer.
Retailers and business operators say they are keen to see lots of vitality and good cheer over the long-term to attract new businesses, residents, more visitors businesses and to improve the economy.
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That message was clear at recent Central City Plan workshops the council held.
Many said they wanted positive things happening around the Town Basin and Hatea Loop to link back to Cameron St and the central city, and asked for a focus there.
Getting into the mood, the council will start raising Christmas flags, fairy lights, street pole lights and seasonal banners over the next week, with an extra focus on the Town Basin and surrounds.
Venues and Events' Operations Team Leader Jenny Calder said the council's elves (actually, parks, property, graphics, planning, promotions, venues and events teams and McKay's staff) would magic up the decorations at night, and the transformation would take about a week to complete.
The big statements, the Christmas tree in the Town Basin, goes up on November 28 and one in Cameron St mall the next night.
"We're keen to lay the foundation for a sense of season and destination in the district, so that businesses can come onboard with their own festive ideas," Ms Calder said.
"It is about everyone playing a part to ensure the summer and Christmas buzz is very good for our economy."
Lights will be going into the trees around the Town Basin this week where, because of the setting, reflections will include the lit trees and lights on yacht masts.
A programme of decorations and lights will result in a party feel in the central city and smaller localities, and be set up to coincide with community and business organised Christmas parades and festivals.
The Kamo Parade will be held on Saturday, Hikurangi Christmas Carnival and Onerahi Santa Parade both on Saturday, December 2, and the Waipu Christmas Parade, as is traditional, on Christmas Eve.