Rotorua residents will be in for an explosive time at the annual GLO Festival Party in the Park.
Today's event, which is expected to be watched by more than 15,000 people, will feature live music, a movie screening, amusement park rides and two fireworks displays worth more than $45,000.
Pyrotechnician Tony Mamfredos, with the help of four others, has been putting together the fireworks display for several weeks. He said this year's display would be bigger and better than any seen in the region.
This year would be the first when the fireworks have been timed to go off with a music track that would play from speakers around the lakefront.
"The fireworks will explode to the beat of the music. So with every beat there will be a explosion. It's going to be a spectacle," he said.
The first display will begin about 9.20pm to cater for families with younger children and will last for about six and a half minutes, while the second display at midnight will go on for more than 11 minutes. It will finish with an explosion from a 30cm shell that may spread more than 300m across the sky, Mr Mamfredos said.
"It's funny to think that weeks of really technical, complex work can come together with just the click of a computer mouse," he said.
Rotorua District Council event manager Martin Croft said the event would be something special for residents and visitors to the area to enjoy: "This night is all about celebrating what Rotorua is all about and really showcasing who we are and why we live here."
The event, which starts at 6pm, will feature many local musicians and a series of a videos that highlight what Rotorua has to offer and what makes it unique.
Party in the Park will also screen the movie Monsters Inc, which will be followed by performances from headline acts and X Factor stars Jackie Thomas and Whenua Patuwai.
GLO Festival organiser Monty Morrison said he expected an outstanding event: "We just want everyone to have a really great night, to be happy, be safe and look out for each other."
Keeping safe is also the key message from police. Senior Sergeant Brendon Keenan said he encouraged people to look after themselves and monitor their alcohol consumption.
"It's important that people are drinking wisely. We want people to enjoy their night, feel safe and be safe in the city," he said.
Police will wear high visibility uniforms and manage traffic around the Village Green. Parts of Lake Rd, Tutanekai, Fenton and Whakaue streets will be closed.
Local businesses will also be preparing for the night, with some putting on extra entertainment.
From 5pm, Brew Bar will provide music by Murray Clark and his band, which will be followed by DJ Johnny Deep from midnight to 3am.
Lava Bar will host a Black and Gold party, with cash prizes for the best-dressed individual and best-dressed group.
Lava Bar manager Paul Marston said he expected a bigger turnout than last year's 1400 people.
"It's going to be a monster night. We're just really pumped and looking forward to it," he said.
Many restaurants close to the lakefront have already had a flood of bookings for tonight, with Indian Star managing director Ray Singh saying the restaurant was almost booked out.
The Party in the Park will be followed by the GLO Festival's First Big Brunch on New Year's Day, with families invited to take along a picnic and enjoy the live music at the Village Green.
On Thursday the festival's Summer Fiesta will be held, which will feature a twist on the Rotorua Night Market.
Tonight's lineup
6pm: Main show begins with performance by Deadly Alliance
6.30: Singer Roger Cunningham
6.45: Nineteen-year-old Filipino singer Oleina Ona
7pm: Performance by Cameron Rota
7.15: Pacifica Beats winners Strangely Arousing
7.50: Performance by X Factor contestant Whenua Patuwai
8.15: X Factor winner Jackie Thomas
9.20: Early evening fireworks
9.50: Movie screening Monsters Inc
Amusement rides will be open all day and throughout the event until 11.30pm
11.30: Midnight countdown begins
Midnight: Main fireworks display