It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, as the Council unwraps the festive season with three free community events guaranteed to spark joy in even the biggest grinch!

Share the wonder as the town’s Christmas tree comes to life at Light Up the Night, hit the right notes at the Christmas Busker Days and settle in for a Christmas favourite at the outdoor Family Movie Night.

Mayor Neil Brown says big crowds will be expected this year as the community enjoys the chance to celebrate without covid restrictions.

“We can see from recent events, like the A&P Show, that people are more than ready to get out and be part of an occasion, and we expect our Christmas festival to attract bumper crowds.”

Kicking off the festival is the official lighting of the town’s giant Christmas tree at Light Up the Night. People are invited to join Santa, the elves and the team from Hokonui at East Street on 2 December from 6pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring a folding chair and settle in for an evening of music, festive lighting and entertainment in the CBD.

There will be plenty on offer for everyone, with three kids' activity zones and a range of mouth-watering  offerings available from the nearby food trucks. The Christmas tree will be lit up about 9.30pm.

Hokonui will run a charity auction in the lead-up to the night, selling off the opportunity to push the button on the Christmas tree lights. Money raised will go to the Phat Bastards Bike Club, whose members are doing a 48-hour charity ride in the new year to raise money for Farming Families, Hospice Mid Canterbury and Methven Search and Rescue.

A touch of Hollywood arrives at the picnic ground area of the Ashburton Domain on Saturday 17 December at the Christmas Family Movie Night. Starting at 6pm, the whole family will enjoy this special outdoor screening of a classic holiday favourite. Movie goers should bring chairs or blankets to sit on and come dressed for the occasion in their best Christmas inspired outfit!

While entry is completely free, the Hokonui team will be collecting donations of canned food items for the Salvation Army foodbank, which will help local families doing it tough over the holiday period. Members of the Ashburton Youth Council will be also be getting into the spirit of things by handing out free popcorn. The movie itself is still under wraps for now, but with Council staff currently finalising details with the distributor, the community can expect an announcement soon.

The Mayor also encourages people to support their local retailers in the lead up to Christmas. The Christmas Busker Days will see a line-up of local talent spread Christmas cheer through music for shoppers in the CBD on Friday 23 December and Saturday 24 December, between 10am and 2pm.

“This is a good chance to come down and enjoy the atmosphere and buy local. It’s been an uncertain couple of years because of covid, but now things are getting back to normal, and we have a town centre to be proud of.”

The Nights Of Lights Christmas Festival is kindly supported by Hokonui. More information about the events can be found at nightsoflights.co.nz