Thousands enjoy festivities as music takes centre stage

Great artists, well-behaved weather and delicious food worked together to make Tauranga's Christmas in the Park a special day for event-goers.

About 10,000 people turned up to Blake Park on Saturday with their beach chairs and picnic rugs to enjoy music from the likes of Dave Dobbyn, Julia Deans, Modern Maori Quartet and Tiki Taane.

Those who were there earlier in the day also got to be a part of shooting a music video for Tiki Taane's new single No Place Like Home, which event organiser Rachelle Duffy said was written about Tauranga.

Mrs Duffy said filming the video had been a highlight for event organisers as they had worked closely with Taane in the five years they had been running the Christmas in the Park events.

Singer-songwriter Julia Deans performed

"Because we've worked with him for this event, for him to film his music video on stage in Tauranga, for the song which was written about Tauranga, in our local community, was really special.

"It was a real highlight for us because it showed not only what a great event Christmas in the Park is, but tied in what a beautiful city we have."

A lot of consideration was put into the event's lineup.

"We wanted to make sure that we had music to suit everybody and it wasn't just a kid's party. It was really family orientated so all age groups could come and enjoy it regardless of their circumstances.

"We had some beautiful dance groups too that came together and put on a performance.

Dave Dobbyn entertained the 10,000-strong crowd with his classics. Photo / Andrew Warner

"It was a really fantastic night where everybody was able to showcase a lot of community talent." Mrs Duffy said the donations of food and presents for local charities had doubled from last year. A caravan was filled up with food and a van was filled to the brim with presents.

"What we achieved there is just awesome, so amazing.

"That's what Tauranga Christmas in the Park is all about. It's an awesome event but our goal was to get as much as we can for charity. That's why we put the event on."

The date for the next Christmas in the Park is pencilled in for December 10, 2016. Mrs Duffy said organisers wanted to make the event an annual icon.