10 things to do in the Bay this week

Night lights at Black Barn Open Air Cinema at Black Barn Vineyards. Photo / Duncan Brown

1. Kicking off the week is the Black Barn open air cinema, which will screen the 2014 NZ Mountain Film Festival tonight.

Its last session of 2014 will be tomorrow, with a screening of 2 Degrees, before returning on Friday until Tuesday, January 6. Other movies to be featured this week and next week are What We Do In The Shadows, The Grand Budapest Hotel, One Life, The Book Thief and Magic in the Moonlight.

Situated in the picturesque Black Barn Vineyards on Black Barn Rd in Havelock North, gates open at 7:30pm, with the session starting when dark, at approximately 9pm.

2. MTG's Holiday Activities for kids will continue right through January from 10am.

The self-guided activity trail for children aged 5-10 is a great way to explore the buildings, exhibitions and art on offer at the MTG Hawke's Bay in Napier. Children will be rewarded for completing the course.

3. Celebrating the festive season is the The Fiesta of Lights - A Million Watts of Family Fun, which will return on Wednesday, December 31 from 8:30pm to 11pm, before concluding on Saturday, January 3 from 9pm to 11pm. The 1km light trail of 500,000 sparkling lights can be found at Hawke's Bay A&P Showgrounds, Kenilworth Rd in Hastings.

4. The highlight of the week will be the New Year's Eve celebrations at the Napier Sound Shell on Marine Parade. Napier's Official New Year's Eve Party and Fireworks Display, sponsored by Napier City and Hawke's Bay Today among others, will give the new year a festive start from 8.30pm to 12.20am on Wednesday and will feature Tina Cross with support artists Leon Wharekura and Sharon Emirali. This family-friendly event will conclude with The Hits 89.5 Fireworks display just after midnight.

5. The Interislander Summer Festival Hawke's Bay Races kicks off the New Year on Thursday. The New Year's Day event starts at 10:30am and with free kids' entertainment, live music, local food and racing action, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. The event will be held at Hastings Racecourse at 200 Prospect Rd, Hastings and is an ideal venue to bring a picnic.

6. Platters and Live Music in the Grounds will take place on Friday, from 2pm-7pm at The Old Church at 199 Meeane Rd, Napier. People can create their own platter from over 30 items on the menu, enjoy a cool beverage from the Outdoor Cabana bar and listen to music from the local band, Centre Piece. Bookings preferred as numbers are limited. Call 06 844 8866 or email reservations@theoldchurch.co.nz.

7. The Hastings City Growers' Market will continue this Saturday from 7am-10:30am. Situated on the streets of the 100 and 200 blocks of Heretaunga St East, vendors to sell locally grown produce.

8. On Sunday the First Sunday Funday will be held from 9am to 3pmat the Ranui Farm Park, 785 Nicholls Rd, Waipukurau. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5 for those under 18 years old.

Participants can enjoy a mountain bike ride, go for a run or have a walk along the 2.5km, 3km, 3.5km, 6km, 8km and 10km tracks. The Petting Zoo and Ranui Cafe will be open on the day, as well as the opportunity to have a go at archery, golf challenge, paint ball and the metre water slide.

The event is cash only.

9. Open all week is The National Aquarium of New Zealand. Located on Marine Parade, Napier, the Aquarium is open daily from 9am to 5pm.

10. Rounding out the top 10

things to do is Splash Planet. Open all week from 10am to 5:30pm, the theme park is on Grove Rd, Hastings.