Santa’s Big Parade Arrives in Town

Key Takeaways

• Santa will be visiting Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty in December to spread festive joy
• The festivities will include parades in Tauranga CBD, Te Puke, Katikati, and Pāpāmoa
• Santa’s Summer Grotto will be open in Tauranga’s CBD from December 6 to 24
• The parades will feature floats, live entertainment, market stalls, and food
• The community is encouraged to participate and dress up in festive attire

Introduction to Santa’s Visit
Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty are getting ready to welcome Santa as he parades through towns next month to spread festive joy. Santa’s first stop will be in Tauranga’s CBD on December 6, where he will arrive at the waterfront via a special delivery with Kewpie Cruises at 9:30 am. This will mark the grand opening of his Summer Grotto at 41 Devonport Rd, where everyone is welcome to meet Santa and his elf. The grotto will be open from 10 am to 3 pm on December 6 and 13, and then daily from December 16 to 24.

Santa’s Parade Schedule
After opening his Summer Grotto, Santa will head to Te Puke for the Seeka Te Puke Christmas Float Parade, which begins at 11 am on December 6. The parade will feature a steampunk and vintage holiday spectacle, with festive floats that will puff, whistle, and sparkle. Onlookers are encouraged to don festive steampunk attire to add to the festive atmosphere. That afternoon, Santa will make his way to Katikati for the Katikati Lions’ Santa Parade, which starts at 3 pm. The parade will begin at Katikati College grounds and make its way to Moore Park, where the Christmas in the Park event will take place from 3:30 pm to 5 pm.

Pāpāmoa Santa Parade
On Sunday, December 7, Santa will head to Pāpāmoa for the Pak’nSave Pāpāmoa Santa Parade, which will start at 10 am and finish about midday. The town’s streets will come alive with colourful floats, music, costumes, and plenty of festive cheer as the community gathers for Pāpāmoa’s biggest festive celebration. The parade route will take Santa and his reindeer from Dickson Rd to Domain Rd to Pāpāmoa Plaza, where the community can gather to enjoy the festivities.

Community Participation
The parades and festivities in Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty are a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the festive season. With a range of activities, including live entertainment, market stalls, and food, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The community is encouraged to participate and dress up in festive attire, whether it’s steampunk-inspired costumes for the Te Puke parade or more traditional festive wear for the other events. By getting involved and attending these events, residents and visitors can help make the festive season a special and memorable time for all.

Conclusion
Santa’s visit to Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty is a highly anticipated event that promises to bring festive joy to the region. With a range of parades and festivities planned, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a resident or just visiting, be sure to mark your calendar for Santa’s arrival on December 6 and get ready to join in the festive fun. With his Summer Grotto open in Tauranga’s CBD and parades in Te Puke, Katikati, and Pāpāmoa, Santa’s visit is an event not to be missed. So come along, dress up, and get into the festive spirit with Santa and his reindeer as they bring festive cheer to Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty.