A wet start predicted for Christmas Day is not putting off holidaymakers who are hitting the Bay in droves, with camping grounds booking out fast and tourist hotspots reporting bumper numbers.
Most of the country is in for cool, unsettled weather on Christmas Day as a front moves its way up the country, with forecasters predicting a rainy start to both Christmas and Boxing Day in the Bay.
MetService duty forecaster Frances Russell said there would be early-morning rain on Christmas Day, with clear spells after lunch.
"At this stage it does not look like it will be heavy rain, just patchy with fine spells developing once the front goes," she said. "Boxing Day is very similar with rain in the morning and a clear afternoon."
Accompanying the rain, south-westerly winds would bring cooler temperatures for most of the country, which has so far enjoyed a warm December, Ms Russell said.