Events to get you ready for Christmas

Phil Hildred.

I hope you've been out and about enjoying the events in our city and region. Here's some of what's on offer over the next couple of weeks. For more events and information, visit ManawatuNZ.co.nz/events or pop into Palmerston North City i-SITE in The Square.

■The Village Night Market is back just in time for Christmas. Tomorrow enjoy an evening where you can purchase a diverse range of creative work and products from emerging designers, foodies, artists and product makers. The market starts 5pm at the City Library.

■See hundreds of beautiful roses and other flowers on display at the Rose and Flower Show at the Community Leisure Centre this weekend. There will be classes and displays from the Manawatu Rose Society, Palmerston North Horticultural Society and local floral art groups. Rose plants and other plants will be for sale and there will be experts on hand to answer all your rose and gardening questions. The show is on Saturday 12pm — 4pm and Sunday 9.30am — 3pm.

■The greatest dance floor musical of all time Saturday Night Fever is on at Regent on Broadway this Saturday night! It has been 40 years since the release of the classic film starring John Travolta as Tony Manero. The show starts 8pm and tickets are available from Regent on Broadway or phone 0800 224 224.

■The British TV comedy-turned stage show Are You Being Served is currently on at the Globe Theatre. The Grace Brothers Department Store closes for redecoration and Mr Grace sends the staff off on a two-week holiday to the Costa Plonka. The staff find themselves not only in the middle of a revolution, but having to survive encounters with everything from Spanish crumpet to randy revolutionaries, finally managing to leave with everything intact — except their modesty. For show times and tickets www.globetheatre.co.nz.

■Brick Flicks brings together photography and hands-on creativity using Lego, the world's most popular toy. World renowned Lego modeller Warren Elsmore recreated iconic movie scenes using Lego bricks. There will also be creation stations where visitors can build models, including a Duplo station for younger children. Those models can then be taken to the stop-motion stations to star in a movie of their very own. Brick Flicks opens at Te Manawa December 1 and runs through to April 2018. Brick Flicks is suitable for all ages and is free of charge.

■Kick off the Christmas season with a drive-in movie at Central Energy Trust Arena. Home Alone was decided by public voting and will screen on Friday, December 1. Why not dress up in your best Christmas costume? Gates open at 5.30pm. movie starts 7pm. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Tickets are available from Central Energy Trust Arena or Palmerston North Conference and Function Centre.

■One of New Zealand's most popular TV comedy shows is coming to the stage at Regent on Broadway. 7Days Live is back in town on Friday, December 1. See Dai Henwood, Jeremy Corbett, Paul Ego, Ben Hurley, Josh Thomson, Jeremy Elwood and Justine Smith as they smash out a quick-fire burst of stand-up comedy brilliance. The show starts at 7.30pm, tickets are available from Regent on Broadway or phone 0800 224 224.

■The lighting of the Palmerston North Christmas Tree in The Square is on Saturday, December 2. Gather with your friends and family for a night of entertainment and family fun with performances by Riverdale and Carncot Schools, Amy McKenna, Monrad Kapa Haka, Six to Sixty Choir, Samoan Congregational Church, Dean McKerras School of Dance and more. There will also be inflatables and giant games. The entertainment starts from 5.30pm and the night includes competitions for the best dressed family and entertainment group.

■More than 60 of the fastest stock cars go into battle for the title of Manawatu Stockcar Champ on Saturday, December 2 at Robertson Holden International Speedway. There will be plenty of racing action with a full field of other speedway classes. The first flag drops at 7pm.

■The new Kiwi comedy Ropable, where apparently murder is knot funny, continues on at Centrepoint Theatre. Constance and Prudence are ladies of leisure who have come to the Hitchcock-themed Macguffin Hotel for a weekend wedding. But what's meant to be a romantic and joyous occasion, quickly descends into chaos as the helpless pair find themselves embroiled in a case of dangerous lies, suspicion and murder. For tickets and more detail on shows phone (06) 354 5740 or www.centrepoint.co.nz.

■The popular Hokowhitu Village Farmers Market is back on Sunday, December 3. The market offers a range of artisan and local produce to tease your taste buds. There will be plenty of street food and live music by local talent. The market starts at 9am at Hokowhitu Village.

■Santa is coming to Palmerston North for the city's annual Christmas Parade. Come to The Square for lunch and entertainment, then check out the parade with around 60 floats and plenty of lollies. The parade starts at 2pm on Sunday, December 3.

■The Magic of Christmas Night Market is on December 5—6. The market brings together more than 170 stalls with art, crafts, books, home and giftware, gourmet food, clothing, plus much more. The event is set within a magical Christmas environment at Awapuni Racecourse. For more information and tickets www.magicofchristmas.co.nz or Palmerston North City i-SITE.