X Factor star Benny Tipene to headline Napier Christmas concert

Benny Tipene has been announced as the headline act for the Bay's big annual Cox Partners Christmas at the Park concert. Photo / George Novak

One of the highly acclaimed finalists during the first New Zealand series of The X Factor and an emerging singer/storyteller will be taking to the big stage for this year's Cox Partners Christmas at the Park to be staged at Anderson Park in Napier.

Benny Tipene, who performed at Black Barn as part of the Winery Tour 2017 back in February with Brooke Fraser and Bic Runga, will headline the December 9 event, with organiser David Trim delighted to have got the fast-rising singer-songwriter and musician on board.

"I am really pleased with the line-up this year," Mr Trim said.

Also set to take the stage is Omega Levine and his three-piece support band.

Levine is no stranger to the music scene in New Zealand and has found his feet, releasing several singles on the charts this year.

Levine's style blends his childhood influences of Johnny Cash and Motown gospel with his unique story-telling talent.

The family festival is now into its 11th year and last year kicked off the new venue format which saw it staged at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds in Hastings after previously having been staged at Anderson Park where it was initially kicked off.

It now alternates between the two cities and will return to the Greenmeadows site.

Last year's event attracted about 20,000 people and to the delight of Mr Trim it has been named as one of the five finalists in the Best Community Event of the Year as part of the New Zealand Events Awards.

"To be listed as a finalist in the Best Community Event of the Year category is an excellent achievement," Mr Trim said.

"It's great for our region to have events be recognised at this level."

He was confident this year's event would continue to keep it in the country's top family entertainment circle.

While Christmas at the Park was now alternating between the cities both would still be staging their own traditional Carols in the Park events.

Hastings' will take place in Cornwall Park and Napier at the Botanical Gardens.

"There's certainly a place for both the Carols by Candlelight and Christmas concert-style events," Mr Trim said.

Cox Partners director Malcolm Cox was pleased to be part of the event and praised the organising professionalism of the Kaisen Charitable Trust which puts it together.

"David's dedicated leadership and the massive effort of hundreds of community volunteers is simply incredible." Mr Cox said.

The event is a not-for-profit production, relying on sponsors, voluntary contributions and trust funding. As in the past, entry will be free, including the face painting and confidence course in the Laser Force Children's Zone.

As it did last year, the event is scheduled to wrap up at 9.35pm with a fireworks display which will accompany a narrative of the Christmas story and overlaid music.