Light a candle at Kuirau Park

Get down to Kuirau Park tonight for Carols by Candlelight. Photo / File

Chances are you will get to sing along to your favourite Christmas carol tonight as Rotorua Geyserland Lions Club holds its annual Carols by Candlelight in Kuirau Park.

The free family event starts at 7pm but club president Wayne Hall said it was such a popular feature on the December calendar that families started setting up hours early to make sure they had a good spot.

"Turn up from 6pm onwards, but some people get there in the early afternoon with their picnic blankets and camping chairs to get themselves set up," Mr Hall said. "We enjoy seeing a large crowd there, the fine weather, with everything coming to fruition."

He said families could bring a picnic or buy food and coffee from the takeaway vans that would be set up in the amphitheatre at the Ranolf St side of Kuirau Park.

The song sheet features 15 items for the public to sing along to, including his own favourites The First Noel and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, which will close the event.

Other songs include Joy To The World, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells and Te Harinui.

The event is free but if you want to buy a candle it will cost a gold coin.

Mr Hall said people should bring their own matches or lighters to make sure all candles were lit at 8.45pm.

Entertainment includes the Rotorua Symphonic Band, Go Bananas and Evelyn Falconer, among others.

"It's really beautiful when the candles are lit," Mr Hall said.

"It's a good family occasion in perfect surroundings."

Details

What: Carols by Candlelight.
Where: Kuirau Park.
When: Tonight 7pm.
How much: Free, candles and holders cost a gold coin.