Busy weekend for Santa in countdown to the big day

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The Christmas spirit ramps up this weekend with the man in red to appear in Wairoa’s Christmas Parade today and at the Grey Street Christmas Festival in Gisborne tomorrow.

Wairoa’s parade starts at 2pm this afternoon and the theme is Everyone’s Santa.

The main street float parade will be followed by a prizegiving for the best of the floats and a concert at the Lighthouse.

Tomorrow’s Christmas Street Festival in Gisborne will be held in Grey Street from Childers Road to the skate park from midday to 6pm.

The event has been organised by the Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust.

“There will be food trucks, craft stalls and Christmas floats put together on site, and displayed throughout the day, with the winners to be decided by public vote,” event organiser Amy Spence, of TAT, said.

This year’s theme for the floats will be Beach Days.

Santa will be there from 2pm.

“There will be plenty for the young ones to enjoy with a twinkle light tunnel, face-painting, games and carols,” Amy said.

“There will also be heaps of free workshops, doing things like Christmas wreath-making, lotions and potions, and, Christmas card and decoration-making.

“We will also be running a ‘worst Christmas jersey’ competition if people want to turn in their jumpers.”

Trust members were “super excited” about the day, she said.

“It’s going to be sunny and we hope people will come down, bring the good Christmas vibes and have a good day.”