The $113 million dome will be opened by the Prime Minister tomorrow night. Picture / Paul Estcourt
If you're planning to go to Christmas in the Park on Saturday, why not head to the Domain early for the unveiling of - dun dun dun - the Dome.
Nope, it's not a huge button sculpture, the arrival of your bald spot or the latest music video
from Bomfunk MCs. It's the $113 million development at the Auckland museum.
This is the second stage of the museum's 12-year restoration project, a seven-storey building in the southern courtyard crowned by a copper and glass dome and featuring a new exhibition area (about the size of five tennis courts), a learning centre, a 200-seat auditorium and a roof-top garden.
The PM opens the Dome tomorrow night.
Then on Saturday the party starts at 10am with the cutting of the Dome ribbon and your chance to take a free peek inside. Tours will run all day, as will entertainment from the likes of Spacifix, Don McGlashan and various cultural groups on the outdoor stage. If you're bringing a hamper for later you can check it in at the Dome while you take a tour.
Christmas in the Park starts at 7.30pm.
The hosts this year are Jeremy Corbett (More FM) and Jeanette Thomas (TV3). Performers include Outrageous Fortune stars Robyn Malcolm, Siobhan Marshall, Antonia Prebble and Claire Chitham; rugby greats Eroni Clarke, Glen Osborne and Kevin Nepia; entertainers Tina Cross and Frankie Stevens; The Lion King's Turanga Merito and Kirsten Te Rito; and 10-year-old singer, Angela Steele. TV3's Jaquie Brown will report from ground level. The event finishes at 10.15pm.
Getting there: A shuttle bus will run from Britomart to the Domain every 20 minutes from 10am to 8pm.
The Link bus runs along Parnell and Khyber Pass roads every 15 minutes or you can take the train to Boston Rd and Newmarket stations. There is no parking at the Domain. Be prepared for road closures.
The rain date is Sunday (listen to 91.8 More FM for details).
