Glowing line-up for city festival

Rotorua's Glo Festival line-up is getting bigger, better and brighter with an international performer being added to the mix.

Festival organisers have announced Jackson Owens, 18, will be performing at the free party on New Year's Eve.

Owens has been living in the US with his father Bobby, pursuing his dreams of singing.

But despite having nearly 50,000 followers on Facebook, the Turangi teen still has his feet firmly grounded.

"I love being back on home soil, especially over the Christmas and New Year's period and to be performing in the middle of that too is just an added bonus.

"I will be performing with my Dad's old band and both my Dad and sister will be singing back-up so I guess you could call it a family affair," he said.

"I performed in Rotorua a few years back and I can tell you the crowd's energy is just electric.

He was looking forward to being on stage "because it's a big crowd and from past experience I've found Rotorua people to be really interactive and loud".

Other performers at Rotorua's biggest New Year's Eve party include former Titanium member Jordi Webber, Nesian Mystic's Awa and Local group Stylus.

The event gets under way from 6pm with a special fireworks and laser display ending the first part of festivities at 9.15pm - perfect for the kids and those who prefer an early night.

Entertainment will then continue on the main stage from 10pm until 11.30pm where the attention will then move to the final countdown and fireworks finale at midnight.

The winners of the inaugural Glo Spot buskers competition will alsoperform for the New Year's Eve crowd.

The finale will be held on Tuesday in the Government Gardens, with 10 of the best local acts vying for the chance to take to the big stage.

On Wednesday Glo Movies, sponsored by Rotorua Daily Post, will be held at Tikitapu (Blue Lake). Inside Out will screen from 5pm to 6.40pm followed by Jurassic Park - The Lost World from 6.55pm -9pm.

Food will be available to buy but people are also encouraged to bring along their own evening picnic.

Shuttle buses will be running from the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre between 3pm and 5.30pm, returning between 6.30pm and 9.30pm on a continuous cycle. It will cost a gold coin per person per trip.