With elves, Santas and reindeer as far as the eye could see, there was no shortage of festive spirit at the Rotorua Combined Church Christmas Lunch.
More than 500 people turned out to the annual event held at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre yesterday, for an afternoon of music, food and celebration.
Pastor David Moore, of Harvest Church, said the free event was about bringing the community together and ensuring those who were lonely or facing financial difficulties had somewhere to go on the special day.
"It's really a celebration for all those in our community and others," he said.
Of the guests who attended, most of them were from Rotorua but those from out of town or from overseas were also warmly welcomed, with a group from China and the United States joining in.