Light Up the Night: Napier’s festive season starts with a child hitting a big red button

Light Up the Night could become a Napier tradition. Photo / Ruby Bloom Photography

The official launch of Napier’s festive season in the CBD is coming on Friday.

The spark for Light Up the Night, which started last year, came from a casual discussion inside the Napier City Business office about the Emerson Street Christmas tree – specifically, when the lights switch on and whether that moment could become a community experience.

As planning took shape last year, one idea quickly stood out: giving a local family the honour of lighting the tree.

A custom big red button was made locally, and became a bit of a star in its own right, especially for last year’s winner, Darcie, with her mum describing the experience as a moment she’ll never forget.

“The idea originally came from chatting about those big city tree lightings like Rockefeller, but very much the Napier edition,” said Pip Thompson, general manager at Napier City Business.

“Seeing that idea come to life last year with the whole crowd calling out from 10 and the winning family hitting the big red button was quite magical.

“It showed there’s a real appetite for moments that bring our community together for the festive season, especially a shared countdown and twinkling lights.”

With the hunt to find this year’s family now under way, dozens of heartfelt nominations are already coming through.

Parents have shared why the moment would mean so much, from Christmas-obsessed little ones to families hoping to create a bright memory after a tough year.

Thompson said it was the quality of the entries that really stood out, with many calling it “magical”, “once-in-a-lifetime”, and a moment their children would remember forever.

The free, family-friendly evening features an expanded entertainment schedule in response to last year’s fantastic turnout.

This year’s programme includes live performances from St Joseph’s Māori Girls’ College, Kaden Hura-McIntosh, Storm in a D Cup and Ella Pollett, along with roving entertainment, free face painting, the bubbleman, Christmas fairies, an interactive mural and a 360 photo booth.

Santa will also be on site from 7.15-8.30pm, before the crowd gathers for the countdown to light the tree just after sunset.

Lining up with Black Friday, the CBD is offering free parking all day (conditions apply) – a nice bonus for anyone heading into town.

This year also marks a new partnership with Unison Networks (Unison), the region’s electricity distributor.

There is long-standing support from Alexander Development and Napier City Council, and returning again is The Hits Hawke’s Bay, with Adam & Megan hosting the evening and The Hits team managing the competition to find the lucky family who will get to flick the switch to light up the tree. The prize includes a $500 Napier CBD voucher to kickstart their Christmas.

The event is weather dependent with a backup date of Friday, December 5.