Horowhenua District Council cancels Levin Christmas Parade, citing costs

Levin will no longer have a Christmas Parade, though Shannon will have one on December 16.

Rising costs, weather uncertainty and logistics have put an end to Levin’s annual Christmas Parade.

Horowhenua District Council said it would put on events that can go ahead under all conditions and won’t require major arterial routes to close - though Shannon will have a parade on December 16.

Other public events around the district will celebrate Christmas.

The council’s community facilities and services manager Mark Hammond said cancelling the parade was a difficult call, but “the community has clearly indicated council needs to tighten its belt and the parade would have cost us $20,000-25,000. We also need to make plans to close roads, including SH1 and that is a major exercise. We looked at alternative routes but the costs would be just as high.”

He said alternative festivities are much better value for ratepayers’ money.

“Our existing budget for events can cover a large part of the costs for these events, which can go ahead in all weather and do not require road closures. Should the Christmas parade get cancelled we still have to front the costs and get nothing in return.”

Despite no parade, Santa will be coming, making an appearance at Christmas in the Park on December 9.

Held at Levin Adventure Park in partnership with Encounter church, the event will run between 3pm and 7pm and all activities will be free – you will enjoy kai, festive treats, live entertainment, games and more.

Along with the playground - which includes a flying fox, tumbling drums, a rope course, a climbing wall, a fitness trial, a mini-ball court, a skating area, a sand volleyball court, disability swings and a bocce course – a decorated train will also be running.

Council chief executive Monique Davidson said Christmas in the Park would will go ahead rain or shine and “will provide hours of festive fun for the whole whānau”.

Other opportunities include Pop Up Eats, which will have a festive flair and will make a special visit to Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom. Then there is the Harvey Bowler Avenue of Trees running from Friday, December 8 to Sunday, December 10, and Santa Paws on Sunday, November 19.

Adding to the festive ambience, Christmas lights and cheerful flags will decorate the district in early December.

Shannon Christmas celebration

The Shannon Christmas celebration will be held at the Shannon Domain between 9am and 3.30pm on Saturday, December 16 and includea Christmas Parade on Stout St from 11.30am. Everyone is invited to come along and enjoy stalls, live entertainment, kai, amusement rides, bouncy castles and more.

Santa Paws

Pets are part of the whānau too, and they have not been forgotten in Christmas celebrations supported by Horowhenua District Council. Last held in 2019, Santa Paws will return to Horowhenua on Sunday, November 19 between 9.30am and 12.30pm. Pets can bring their humans to Kowhai Park to get a Christmas photo and be in to win spot prizes. Each digital photo will cost $5 and all proceeds will go to the district’s SPCA.

Pop Up Eats – The Festive Edition

The last of the 2023 Pop Up Eats Horowhenua weekly food truck markets will be Christmas-themed. In Levin, Pop Up Eats – The Festive Edition will be held on Wednesday, December 6 between 3pm and 8pm in the Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō carpark. Regular and new Wednesday quiz night attendees at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō will be treated to a Christmas-themed final quiz for 2023 on the same evening.

A second Pop Up Eats – The Festive Edition will be held at Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom on Thursday, December 14, also between 3pm and 8pm. Both Pop Up Eatswill feature games, market stalls, entertainment and food trucks, and word on the street is that Santa will visit too.

Harvey Bowler Avenue of Trees

The annual and popular Harvey Bowler Avenue of Trees will be held at Levin Memorial Hall on Friday, December 8 from 6pm to 8.30pm, and on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10 between 4pm and 8.30pm. Delight in trees decorated by community groups and organisations at this community Christmas experience. Entry is by way of a koha of non-perishable food or a gold coin. This collection will go to local food banks.

Merry Main Street

In Foxton, Merry Main Street will be held on Sunday, December 10 from 9am to 3pm.

Christmas in the Park

Celebrate Christmas in the Park on Saturday, December 9 between 3pm and 7pm at Levin Adventure Park. Brought to you in partnership with Encounter Church, this free event will include kai, live entertainment, games and more.