In many places at this time of year they deck the halls with boughs of holly, but in Whangarei they string the decks with ropes of lighting.
Several yachts in the Town Basin Marina are decked out with Christmas lights, with the best to be chosen on Monday by Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai and other town representatives.
Northland Inc tourism boss Paul Davis said boaties had been decorating their vessels in the marina on Christmases past, but this year's effort was more formalised with civic and marina management backing, and hopefully attracting more public interest.
"It's a way we can welcome our international yachties to Whangarei and help them feel part of the community at this time of year," Mr Davis said.
"It's also a way of getting them to help us help make the Town Basin more festive. It does inject more atmosphere into the place." Lighting up the yachts was an annual tradition, and creating a specially decorated precinct "is a concept that will take time to build".
