Yes folks, it's that time of year again – where festive events surface, offering a chance to gather, celebrate each other, honour the meaning of Christmas and take some time out to cherish life.

The Weekend Sun has put together a ‘go-to' guide of events to enjoy the festive season.

Today there is plenty of time to head to Te Puke and Katikati and catch both Christmas parades.

The Seeka Te Puke Christmas Float Parade is on Saturday December 3. Photo: Kerri Anne Fraser.

Te Puke : December 3

The Seeka Te Puke Christmas Float Parade starts at 11am on Saturday December 3. The parade, organised by Epic Te Puke starts between KFC and JA Russell with floats and bands assembling behind the War Memorial Hall.

Each year there is a special opportunity for a deserving child to ride along with Santa in the Float Parade. Businesses, organisations and schools are competing for this year's DMS Supreme Theme Trophy.

Santa Claus will be at the Katikati Lions Santa Parade. Photo: Supplied.

Katikati: December 3

The annual Katikati Lions Santa Parade and the Katikati Christmas in the Park is happening this Saturday, December 3, after missing last year due to Covid.

The Lion's Santa Parade kicks off 3pm from Katikati College, and makes its way along Carisbrooke St to Moore Park where festivities continue at Christmas in the Park from 3.30pm-6pm.

A feature of the Santa Parade this year is the inclusion of 25 vintage tractors by the Tauranga Vintage and Machinery Club to raise funds for Waipuna Hospice, in recognition of life member Eric Green's battle with cancer.

Katikati Christmas in the Park. Photo: Supplied.

The family-friendly event includes entertainment for all ages with horse rides, puppeteers and face painting, and Santa will be available for selfies. On the open-air stage musicians including White Goat Band, Waihi College Concert Band, and Mural Town Singers promise to get the crowds up dancing with a range of music including Christmas favourites.

For those still searching for the perfect Christmas gift a diverse range of Art and Craft stalls are on hand along with food trucks for a delicious range of food and drinks.

'We're thrilled to bring back Christmas in the Park this year,” says Katch Katikati events manager Kirst O'Rourke. 'Our community deserves to enjoy a fun and festive event after missing out last year.”

Pāpā Moa celebrating Christmas in Pāpāmoa. Photo; Supplied.

Pāpāmoa: December 18

Pāpāmoa is planning its largest Santa Parade yet. 'I am so excited to bring the official Santa Parade of the city back to Pāpāmoa,” says Pāpāmoa Unlimited events and marketing manager Julia Manktelow.

The Pak ‘N Save Pāpāmoa ‘Christmas in Candyland' Santa Parade 2022 will run from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Sunday, December 18. The parade will be celebrating Pāpāmoa businesses, the not-for-profit community organisations, children, music and the whole community.

Pāpāmoa Unlimited events and marketing manager Julia Manktelow at a previous Christmas parade. Photo: Supplied.

Julia has a word of encouragement for businesses thinking about taking part in the parade.

'This is an awesome way for businesses to celebrate what they do, to a crowd of more than 20,000, and a way to say ‘thank you' to everyone that helped support them through restrictions,” says Julia. 'Let's make magic and light up the little faces of our beautiful city.”

The event will be cancelled if adverse weather conditions are predicted.

The Seeka Te Puke Christmas Float Parade is on Saturday December 3. Photo: Kerri Anne Fraser.

Christmas events coming up:

Te Puke Carols by Candlelight: December 10

Santa with his bag of lollies will be at Te Puke Carols by Candlelight at Jubilee Park on Saturday, December 10, along with stalls, food, entertainment and singing. The event runs from 7pm-9pm.

Tauranga's Christmas in the Park: December 10

Admission is by gold coin donation or non-perishable food donation to Tauranga's Christmas in the Park from 10am-4pm on Saturday, December 10, at Soper Reserve, 95 Newton St, Mount Maunganui.

The annual community-focused Christmas fundraising event is an opportunity to encourage community spirit and ‘giving back', supporting local charities and community groups who are working with families and children.

Enjoy live music, national and local performances, free children's activities, craft and artisan food/drink and Santa will be there of course.

Christmas Carols on the Tauranga waterfront. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Christmas Carols on the Waterfront: December 11

Come and celebrate the festive season on Tauranga's stunning waterfront. Everyone is welcome at this free family-friendly event, which runs from 5.30pm-8pm. Join in singing everyone's favourite Christmas Carols at this event organised by Downtown Tauranga and the combined churches of Tauranga.

A Night Before Christmas in Bethlehem. Photo: Supplied.

A Night Before Christmas: December 17

The Bay's biggest free Christmas party celebrates more than 20 years of spreading Christmas joy and its links to New Zealand's very own Bethlehem.

Come together to enjoy a variety of live music, dance, Christmas Carols and fireworks, to welcome in the festive season with this stunning community show hosted by Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Gates open 4.30pm on Saturday, December 17, at Bethlehem College Fields, with the show starting 5.25pm and the event wrapping up with a fireworks display at 9.30pm.

Bring a picnic dinner, grab a bite from one of the delicious food trucks, take a selfie with one of the roving Christmas characters and enjoy the picturesque surroundings. It's the perfect event for the whole family.

A Night Before Christmas features a heap of amazing entertainers performing some absolute classics that are sure to get you singing and dancing along. With a variety of locally and nationally recognised performers, there's sure to be something to get everyone into the festive spirit.