Fireworks a feature of Christmas celebration

STAGE TIME: Christmas at the Park organiser David Trim believes in giving young local artists an opportunity to appear. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

Christmas festivities are set to light up the province with Bay families poised to celebrate the festive season at multiple events lined up for this weekend.

The Cox Partners Christmas at the Park is gearing up for thousands of people to celebrate Christmas at Anderson Park in Napier today.

Apart from headline act Jackie Thomas, other entertainment will include local band Pulse, fun act "The original Hicksville Swamp Stompers" and Havelock North High School band Super Cone Destroyer.

The show will run from 3pm to 9.30pm and event organiser and manager of the Kaisen Charitable Trust David Trim said the fireworks display is one that captures the imagination of all.

"The pyrotechnics display is based around an audio narration of the nativity story, fused with music and punctuated with the fireworks - it's very much an artistic form of telling the Christmas story, rather than a flashy show for its own sake".

"With a packed food hamper, a picnic rug and a warm jersey you will be set for a great time in Anderson Park on Saturday," Mr Trim said.

Christmas festivities will continue tomorrow in Hastings for the 129th time at Christmas in Cornwall Park.

The event starts at 2pm until 7pm before the crowd will be invited to sing carols.

Bouncy castles, backyard games and activities from Kiwi Adventure Trust, storytelling and craft making from Hastings District Libraries will be available. Food stalls will be operating and families are invited to bring a picnic on the lawn opposite the Splash Pad.

Hastings District Councillor Sandra Hazlehurst said the family event was a "highlight of our year and a wonderful opportunity to bring people together to celebrate Christmas".

Performances from Zumba Whanau, Rhythm Forte, The Dream Girls, Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre and The Kawekas will begin at 3pm. Santa will arrive at 5pm, with the chance to have your photo taken with him until 6pm.

Other events on this weekend include The Fiesta of Lights, the Christmas Art and Craft Bazaar and the Hawke's Bay Berry Festival in Hastings, while the Tremains Christmas Lights extravaganza is on in both cities in the build-up to Christmas. The CHB Mail Twilight Carols will take place this Sunday in Waipawa.