A Taste of Hastings to feature Santa, live music and food from around the world

The east side of Hastings will light up next Thursday with venues open for a street party. Photo / Supplied

Next Thursday Albert Square will be home to a street party celebrating Hastings' triumph in being named Supreme Winner in the 2020 Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards.

From 4pm until 8pm on Thursday, December 3, the square and part of Heretaunga St East will be the place to go for an evening of entertainment.

Local food venues will be open featuring Kiwi, European and Asian-style street food.

A range of food will be available from burgers to bao buns, and sweet favourites Ya Bon and La Petite Chocolat will be open.

Hastings Distillers will also have special Christmas Kiss cocktails.

La Petite Chocolat owners Asli and Sel Gider bought the business two months ago and think the event will be great for the street.

"It brings people to us and allows us to showcase our special Christmas chocolates in a market-style environment.

"This block has a real international feeling. There are lots of backgrounds in the street with everyone bringing something slightly different, it is an artistic but high-quality feeling."

Eilish Rose and Rick Toner will kick off the live music at 4pm and there will also be other live performances at the Warren St multi-use carpark and behind Funbuns.

Santa will be making the trip so kids can meet him at Albert Square and there will also be family activities such as face painting and balloon art.