Twinkling lights and the sound of Christmas carols filled the City Focus as people gathered around Rotorua's Christmas tree for tonight's light ceremony.
The lights were turned on at 7pm, with the Western Heights High School choir singing Christmas songs under the tree, and the Salvation Army band finishingoff with a few tunes.
Rotorua Lakes Council project manager Mandy Godo said it was the perfect night to turn on the Christmas tree lights because it was also the return of the summer extension of the night market.
People were encouraged to bring cans along and drop them off for the Rotorua Daily Post Salvation Army foodbank appeal.
FESTIVE: Venice Ruiz, 5, got into the spirit of Christmas last night at Rotorua's Christmas tree. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
Ms Godo said it fitted in well with the community spirit of the Christmas tree lights being turned on.
She was excited about the lights going on on the tree, which this year sports more decorations than last year.
"I'm very excited to see it and we've tried to incorporate the wood in the tree to give it a local flavour, using wood in some of the decorations alongside the traditional, classic ones."
They had also used the decorations to try to represent Rotorua's biculturalism, she said.
