Santa Claus is on his way

SCRAMBLE: Santa and his elves gibe the people what they want after last year's Kerikeri Christmas parade - a lolly scramble. PICTURE/PETER DE GRAAF

It's that time of year again when Santa starts making his rounds of Far North towns to announce the imminent arrival of Christmas.

The first Santa parade of the season starts at 11am this Saturday, November 28, in Kerikeri. Organised by Kerikeri Lions Club, the parade follows the one-way system, starting and finishing at the Domain. Festivities will continue until 3pm. Up to 50 floats are expected and the Whangarei Pipe Band will be heading north to lead the parade. Traffic diversions will be in place.

Also this Saturday Mangonui School will hold its annual Christmas in the Park on the school field from 11am-4pm. Attractions will include games, a bouncy castle, climbing wall, raffles, face painting, white elephant and plenty of food (hangi, mussel chowder and pork buns to name a few).

Santa's next appearance will be in Paihia, where the business association is hosting a Superhero-themed parade from 5.30pm on Friday, December 4. A craft market will be held on the Village Green and Paihia Lanes, and a street food market in the former Paihia Mall will be officially opened on the same evening.

Paihia's parade isn't the Far North's biggest but it usually has the most extravagant floats. Past years have seen a life-size pirate ship, spaceships and an army of slaves pulling a pyramid.

Santa will be busy on Saturday, December 5, with events in Kaitaia and Kaikohe.

Kaitaia's Christmas Carnival, organised by the Far North Avocado Trust, will be held in the South Rd car park at Te Ahu from 10am to 4pm.

It will feature stalls, food and children's amusements. Santa will be in his grotto for photos and present requests; a puppet show will be held in the Little Theatre and a family concert in Te Ahu's hall.

Also on December 5, Kaikohe will hold a Candyland-themed Christmas parade down Broadway from 11am, organised this year by Hype Youth.

Kaeo's parade will kick off at noon on Saturday, December 12, starting in the township and making its way to Whangaroa College for a Christmas festival of kai, music and good vibes.

Santa's final pre-Christmas appearance will be in Russell shortly before the big day (date to be confirmed). The parade will end at Duke of Marlborough Tavern where kids will be able to visit Santa's grotto.

Plenty more Christmas events, big and small, will take place around Northland during the next few weeks.