Hastings' first Christmas at the Park concert a booming success

New Zealand band Avalanche City was a crowd favourite at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds' premier Christmas at the Park on Saturday night.

This year's turnout to Christmas at the Park was as big as ever despite it being held in Hastings for the first time.

Being the largest single-night event ever held at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, local crowds amassed to hear New Zealand bands Avalanche City and Nomad perform.

Cox Partners Christmas at the Park organiser David Trim said the event's premiere at Hastings went off without a hitch, with both adults and children having a great time.

"It was a fantastic night. The weather was perfect, we had a clear sky so it was a warm night with a nice breeze," he said.

The night's ideal weather conditions drew many families to the showgrounds, Mr Trim reporting that the park was "chockablock" with kids running around.

Mr Trim was pleased with not only the success of the new location but the success of the public transport options that were available to those attending the event.

"Many took advantage of the buses from Napier, Flaxmere and Havelock North," he said.

Between 15,000 and 20,000 people are estimated to have attended Saturday night's event.

The children's entertainment was a wildly popular feature of the night, with a 40m inflatable obstacle course being a huge hit.

Due to council restrictions the event was unable to do its signature pyrotechnics display that coincides with the narration of a nativity scene.

However the crowd were not left unimpressed, with "heavy duty" fireworks featuring in the night's pyrotechnic display.

The fireworks, referred to as "shells" by Mr Trim, were the first of the hefty kind to be released in Hawke's Bay on the night, which may explain the large booms many locals might have heard.

A team of 50 volunteers combed the showgrounds yesterday morning to clean up after the crowds and ensure that all the equipment was broken down.

"The park has just about been returned to normality. We had to breakdown 1.6km of security fencing and dismantle all the stages," Mr Trim said.

With no arrests, Mr Trim said the event had really cemented itself in as one of the "must-go-to" family events on the yearly calendar.

"The event ran really smoothly. There were no arrests which is a first and the public were really good," he said.

Mr Trim reported a "tremendous amount" of positive feedback from the night.

The event, previously held in Napier, will now alternate between Hastings and Napier to promote unity between the two cities.

Destined for Napier next year, Mr Trim said he was unable to confirm whether the event will be held at Anderson Park or McLean Park.