Rotorua Lakes Council art and culture communications and marketing co-ordinator Kathy Nicholls said two factors contributed to Glo Festival reducing to one night.
She said there was not as much funding available this year from funding providers, including the council, but also feedback from previous years was they thought the three nights of different activities at various venues was confusing.
"We are really just focusing our resources and trying to make it one big event."
This year's Glo Festival will combine an outdoor movie screening at the Village Green from 6pm before the party gets under way at 8pm.
"There has been some limitations for us to get funding so we cut it back to one day but it's also such a busy time of year and looking at the feedback there's so much else going on - we thought we'd make it one night and make it really good."
Nicholls said the Glo Festival had earned Rotorua a reputation as being one of New Zealand's most family-friendly destinations at New Year and that would continue.
"We have a great night of free entertainment planned which will suit all ages. There will be food stalls, visual art installations, musical performances and a fireworks spectacular."
Nicholls said it would be a night for families to enjoy that would feature two fireworks displays, one at 9.15pm which allowed families with small children to still enjoy fireworks without having a late night, and the usual fireworks at midnight.
She said the midnight fireworks would go off around the stage area at the Village Green, allowing the act to do the countdown. Last year, the crowd walked to the Lakefront for both fireworks.
"The 9.15pm fireworks would still be at the Lakefront not the Village Green as it was a natural progression to walk down there and then those families could tootle off home."
Other local acts and a DJ would feature on the show before the main act takes the stage, she said.
"So bring a picnic blanket and settle in to celebrate the year that was and welcome in the beginning of another."
The Rotorua Daily Post will run public voting online in the coming weeks allowing locals to choose which movie they wanted to watch at the event.
There will also be chances to win spots at the VIP family areas and opportunities to meet the headline act backstage.
Programme:
- 6pm – Arrive and get comfy
- 6.30pm – Children's movie
- 8pm – Party in the Park family entertainment begins on the big stage
- 9.15pm - Party in the Park family entertainment concludes, move to Lakefront
- 9.20pm – Fireworks display number one
- 9.30pm – Fireworks conclude
- 10pm – Entertainment continues on the big stage
- Midnight – Fireworks display number two
* For more information facebook.com/rotoruaglofestival
