Christmas around the country

Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton, is the venue for the annual Carols in the Park on December 17. Across the island, New Plymouth's Bowl of Brooklands is the scene for Carols by Candlelight on December 19.

This marks the start of the city's Festival of Lights, which runs until February 6. In Hamilton, the grounds below the Mormon Temple, Tuhikaramea Rd, Temple View, are the site of an artistic Christmas display of more than 125,000 coloured lights until December 31.

There are choir recitals from 8.30 to 9.15pm. Down south, the CCS Christmas Tree Festival in the Christchurch Convention Centre features 50 beautifully decorated trees, which will be on display until December 20, 10am-8pm. Admission is a gold coin donation.