Good morning Sunners,

With only 31 days until the jolly white-bearded man in his red suit and fluffy-tipped white hat squeezes down the chimneys of Bay of Plenty homes, Papamoa is gearing up for its own visit from Santa Claus today.

Santa Claus is expected to visit Papamoa today. Photo: file.

Santa Claus will be the man of the hour at Papamoa's first-ever Christmas Parade today.

From 12pm today, 53 festive floats, decorated with all the bells and whistles, will parade from Dickson Rd to Palm Beach Plaza, as part of the inaugural Pakn' Save Papamoa Santa Parade.

This will be followed by a Post-Parade Party on the paddock opposite Palm Beach Plaza from 1pm-3pm.

For those wanting to keep Santa a secret, there's the Smiths Sports Shoes Tauranga Trail Run on at TECT All Terrain Park today.

The event, starting at 7.30am, is a major fundraiser for Tauranga Boys' College Cross Country team.

More than 700 participants are expected to take part in the event, which caters for all ages and fitness abilities.

Participants can register in the 30km run, 10km walk/run, 15km walk/run or 5km walk/run.

Registrations are open from 7.30am.

If you're looking for a more relaxed Sunday, visit The NZ Garden & Art Festival Garden Trail.

All gardens are open from 9.30am, with passes still available from local outlets. For more information, click here.

The festival's Lakes Expo Pavilion is also open to people this weekend. The fabulous festival hub is the focus of the event with a 50 metre stretch tent staging most NZ Garden & Art Festival events including speakers and workshops, with lots of on offer. To learn more, click here.

Exhibitors and visitors will be able to mix and mingle at the Pavilion Café too.

Sunday 23 November

Bay Bible Fellowship/Lord's Day

Welcome Bay Primary School Hall, 309 Welcome Bay Rd 10am. Psalm 82 - 'Hey rulers, listen up!” Tom Griffiths. www.bbf.net.nz

Bible Seminars

Every Sun at Greerton Senior Citizen's Hall, Maitland St, Greerton 1.45pm. Title: 'The Rapture - what does the Bible say?” Interactive, Q&A. Refreshments provided. All welcome. Vic 543 0504

Czech School for Children

With Czech/Slovak background every Sun at Arataki Community Centre 10am - 12pm except school holidays. New members welcome. www.facebook.com/csclubtauranga, email csclubtauranga@gmail.com or Jana 579 3918

Kayak Fishing Sunday Session

Meet at Karewa Pde carpark, Papamoa 7am – 12pm. Free kayak session run by NZ's only kayak fishing guide. Suitable for 15+ years. Gear rental available ($50). Tim Taylor 027 668 9904 prior to organise. Part of Sport BOP's ‘Water month'.

Mount Mainstreet Farmers Market

Every Sun in Phoenix car park 9am - 1pm. Fresh fruit & veges, breads, cheese, oils, plants & more. All home grown & home made. 575 9911 mountmaunganui.org.nz

Papamoa Lions Market

At Simpson Reserve 7am – 12.30pm. Stalls must be set up by 7.30am. Great range of goods for sale including fruit & vege, arts & crafts. Fundraising stalls to support needy causes. $10 per car space. 542 2559 a/hs

Papamoa Santa Parade

Palm Beach Plaza, 7 Gravatt Rd 12-3pm. Best float competitions decided by the community, food stalls, face painting, clowns, lolly scrambles & more. Free admission.

Petanque

Every Sun, Tues & Thurs at Cliff Rd 12.45pm. Boules available, tuition given. 1st 3 visits free. Jo Ann 578 3606

Quakers in Tauranga

Every Sunday in hall behind Brain Watkins Historic House 10am. Mainly silent worship, hour long meeting followed by tea & talk. 544 0448

Radio Controlled Model Yachts

Meet Sun 1.30pm & Thurs 5.30pm at pond behind 24 Montego Drive, Papamoa, to sail electron & similar 3ft long yachts for fun. Beginners welcome. Graham 572 5419

Spiritual Club, The Psychic Cafe

Greerton Community Hall, Greerton. 8 or more spiritual, psychic & healing practitioners to meet, share, learn & discuss. Doors open 7pm. Door charge $10, everything else free. 578 7205

Stranded Sundays

Live music & things for children to do, with The Phoenix, Comida, Macau & Cornerstone Pub hosting activities. The Strand closed to traffic 11am – 2pm between Wharf & Hamilton Sts.

Tauranga Underwater Hockey Club

Baywave Aquatic Centre 12.30-1.30pm Juniors up to & including Year 10 students) 1.30-2.30pm Seniors (Year 11 - adults) meet every Sunday unless an event on at Baywave. Lance 027 287 4731 or 578 7573

Te Puke Memorial Pool Open Day

With BBQ so bring some money for a sausage sizzle. Held 11am - 5pm. Adults $4. Under 14's have free entry for the day. 578 0016

Theosophical Society

'Theosophy & the Theosophical Society”, an interview with Tim Boyd, followed by rescheduled AGM at Tauranga Yoga Centre, Elizabeth St West 2pm. All welcome, entry by donation to cover expenses. June 576 6106

Wanganui Girls' College Old Girls Assn – Tga Branch

Celebrating 55 years at their Christmas function, Tauranga Sport Fishing Club, Sulphur Pt Marina 4.30pm. All past students welcome. 548 2110

Weekend Activities for the over 60's

Walks, dinners, day trips & good times. Richard 578 3894

Young Classical Musicians Soc

Notice of members meeting regarding motion of special resolution. This will be held after the final concert & awards presentation. Dec 7 at Wesley Church, 13th Ave, Tauranga 2pm.