Christmas Lights extravaganza lights up Hawke's Bay towns

Laura Welch and sister Jessica Welch position a light string at their house on Phoenix Place, Havelock North, as part of the Tremains Christmas Lights. Photo / Warren Buckland

Lights of all colours and shapes have been hung on houses and gardens around the Bay.

The annual Tremains Christmas Lights extravaganza is a firm favourite on the calendars of the Hawke's Bay community each December.

For 24 days until Christmas Eve, homes, businesses, gardens, letterboxes and even trees have been draped with lights to create all sorts of magical displays under the cover of darkness.

Sisters Laura and Jessica Welch were excited to take part in the Tremains Christmas Lights, with lights lining the driveway, fence and house.

Meanwhile, the Fiesta of Lights has already attracted thousands of people since opening last Saturday and features dazzling lights displays scattered along a tree-lined trail surrounded by thousands of sparkling fairy lights.

First launched in 1998, as a millennium project, the festival has grown considerably from its 10,000 lights and one sculpture.

Public Dreams Trust director and Fiesta of Lights organiser Te Rangi Huata said the opening week had been good, with numbers up from last year.

Situated at the showgrounds in Hastings, the family event has some new surprises in store.

On New Year's Eve, Fiesta of Lights hosts an alcohol-free, family costume party with arts, ritual, entertainment and an early bird fireworks display at 9.45pm. Entertainment includes Pulse party band, street performers, free children's slides and rides and a singalong.

While the Tremains Christmas Lights Art Deco bus trips are all sold out, people can still download a map from the Tremains website or grab one from any Tremains branch, and take a self-guided tour to enjoy the magic of Christmas.

To view the Tremains Christmas Lights maps, visit: http://www.tremains.co.nz/events/tremains-christmas-lights/