The third Gourmet Night Market season begins on December 4 in Mt Maunganui from 5pm.
The family-friendly summer event was popular last season with locals and visitors attracting around 5000 patrons on Friday nights.
Event manager Kim Renshaw, who also co-ordinates Beyond the Bin, said the markets would be running every Friday except for Christmas Day and January 8, and she is anticipating crowds of 4000 to 6000 people at each. "Situated in Coronation Park, the market has a stunning view of the Mount where diners can laze and graze all while being entertained by fresh local acoustic musicians," she said.
Local musician Izzy Bones and group The Salty Dogs would be performing at the first Gourmet Night Market on December 4, she said. "As well as providing a stage for local musicians, Gourmet Night Market is also hosting a number of top local restaurant chefs from the area. The restauranteurs will be joined by specialist mobile food vendors, caterers and home cooks in the 50-plus stalls offering desserts, tapas, dinner options, handmade drinks and speciality artisan food products."
Ms Renshaw said the event would also be leading the zero waste movement, diverting 97.5 per cent of their waste from landfill during last summer.
