Dunedin set to turn on the lights for British and Irish Lions fans

Dunedin's train station will be lit up for rugby fans during tonight's game between the touring Lions and the Highlanders. Photo / Chris Sullivan - Seen in Dunedin

British and Irish Lions supporters will feel at home during the southernmost stop on tour thanks to Dunedin's strong Celtic roots.

The Lions will take on the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight, ahead of taking on the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua on Saturday.

The Highlanders have a special challenge planned for the game instead of a haka, which captain Luke Whitelock has called "something a little bit different".

Caledonian Society of Otago secretary John Stinson said although his group doesn't have anything specific planned, the town's European character should make rugby fans from the UK feel welcome.

"I do know there's a very strong Scottish presence here ... The Highlanders are planning to do something special before the game with a Scottish flavour attached to it.

"There's just so many similarities between Dunedin and Edinburgh in particular. The two cities have such a close relationship and there's also so many similarities in layout, architecture, street names, everything."

Stinson was quick to add that visitors from other countries within the UK will also enjoy their time in the town.

"And the Irish as well, although I'm involved with the Scottish society my background is nearly all Irish, so I should put in a plug for them too."

The weather in Dunedin was starting to pack in by late morning on game day but Stinson said it wouldn't dampen the buzz around town ahead of the game.

"There is a huge amount of excitement. I'm not actually going [to the game] myself but I'll certainly be watching it. The weather's just turned nasty here but it won't affect the game of course.

"It's been very vibrant here, there's been a lot of warm hospitality."

Dunedin City Council spokesman Ryan Craig said the focus of festivities ahead of the game would be the Octagon in the centre of town.

"There's already people out there I can see drinking in the bars," he said.

A fan trail and a spectacular light show would be the highlights of pre-match entertainment for fans.

"There's a fan trail from the Octagon past the train station - where we have a huge southern light show on the building - and down towards Anzac Ave and to the Forsyth Barr Stadium.

"Along that is going to be buskers and food stalls and there'll be Chinese dragons and dancers outside the railway station."

The light show will display former All Blacks and Lions players on the walls of the station.

A mini-version of Dunedin's traditional midwinter carnival will also be held along the fan trail. The carnival is usually held in the city on the shortest day of the year.

Craig said the council would put on extra buses to get fans to and from the stadium, while the light show at the train station will illuminate the trail until midnight.

A southerly blast is making its way up the country, lowering temperatures and bringing snow and wild winds to some areas.

An active front has started to head north up the South Island. Several flights between Auckland and Queenstown and Dunedin have been delayed.

Strong wind warnings are in place for Dunedin, with severe gales of up to 120km/h forecast.

Dunedin is in for a low of 5C overnight, with a few sleety showers expected. Strong gusty southwesterlies will also lash the city.