There's a lot happening in the lead up to Christmas in Tauranga's city centre.

Events include a barbecue, Christmas carols, and of course, a visit from the big man in red himself.

Downtown Tauranga businesses are invited to a Christmas Barbecue at the Kiwi Bach in Red Square from 5.15pm on December 15. Email info@downtowntauranga.co.nz if you would like to attend to ensure there are enough sausages on the barbie to go around.

Santa comes to Downtown Tauranga: 11.30am-12pm daily from December 10-22. The big man himself will read children's stories in Goddards Shopping Centre. He will then be at the Kiwi Bach in Red Square from 12-2pm each day to have a chat and have photos taken with his fans.

Christmas Carols on the Waterfront: 5.40pm, Sunday December 11. The procession will move from No. 1 The Strand to the Edgewater Fan on the waterfront. If postponed due to the weather, the carols will be held on Sunday December 18.

Other celebratory initiatives by Tauranga City Council and Downtown Tauranga include giant decorated boxes on the retail streets, Christmas stars on the light poles, carol singers, buskers and musicians adding to the festive cheer.

There will also be the Christmas tree on the waterfront, giant Christmas cakes which will be shared at the Kiwi Bach and Goddard's Centre, and ‘Stuff the Bus' – an initiative with Media Works that encourages the donation of gifts and food for those less well off.