The service will then start at 10am with a karakia and worship at the permanent canopy at Under the Sails, and go till 11am.
Rotorua Association of Christian Churches chairman Reverend Scott Clifford said the joint service had been going for 12 years to bring together all of the denominations.
He said this year the public event would incorporate up to 30 churches.
"I am doing the speaking but other than that there is a broad group involved."
He said the association was expecting between 500 and 1000 people, so some would need to bring their own chairs.
"Last year there was a cyclone and we still had 600 plus. The year before that was our biggest year and we had between 700 and 800 people. Passersby often just jump in."
The association was yet to confirm a venue in case of rain.
Clifford said the procession of the cross had mainly Anglican and Catholic origins.
"It is a dramatic backdrop for the service when it is carried down the road. The group stops at stations on the way."
Rotorua churches were also holding separate events for worship throughout the weekend.
St Faith's Anglican Church was holding its Good Friday service at 9am and on Easter Sunday at 9am it would also hold Holy Communion.
St Mary's Catholic Church was holding its own Stations of the Cross event on Good Friday.
It begins at 10am at the church and the cross will be carried with prayers and hymns around the streets from there. St Mary's is also holding an Easter Vigil at 7pm on Saturday, and Easter Sunday services at 10am and 5pm.
St Michael's Catholic Church is holding a Good Friday session from 3pm, and another on Easter Sunday from 8am.
C3 Church Rotorua is holding Celebration Sunday from 10am, with entertainment for children including a bouncy castle, skate ramp, face painting and food.
St Lukes' Anglican Church is holding 8am Holy Communion and 10am Holy Communion on Easter Sunday.
