Grab your whānau, a picnic blanket and your dancing shoes and head to one of five community New Year's Eve celebrations taking place across Tauranga on Saturday, December 31.

The family-friendly events will be at Greerton, Tauranga City Centre, Pāpāmoa, Mount Maunganui and Matua from 6pm-9.30pm.

They'll feature food trucks, local musicians, roving entertainment and more – with most celebrations finishing with fireworks displays at 9.30pm.

Tauranga City Council venues and events manager Nelita Byrne is thrilled her team can deliver these events again in 2022. 'These much-loved celebrations are a fantastic way to bring our communities together to connect over a shared experience.”

For those who experience sensory sensitivities and/or have accessibility requirements, the Matua celebration will have an earlier celebration from 5.30pm-6pm with limited sound and crowds.

Tauranga City Council disability advisor Amanda Lowry says the earlier Matua event is a good way to include everyone in celebrations.

'Fergusson Park is a great place to have the accessible/low-sensory event, it's got great facilities – good accessible wharepaku (bathrooms) and parking.

'Families can bring their kids along for the earlier event, then stay on a bit longer into the main event if everything is going well”.

Roving entertainment at New Year's Eve community celebrations 2020. Photo credit: Jamie Troughton, Dscribe Media.

She recommends people with sensory sensitives come prepared. 'Bring along some headphones and something to sit on if you need some time out.”

A fireworks display will kick-off 9.30pm to mark the end of the community celebrations at all events except Greerton, where a laser light show will take place.

Fireworks will go off again at midnight across the city to welcome in 2023. People are encouraged to watch these from their homes – they should be seen from a backyard or deck.

Although it's a time of celebration for humans, TCC animal services team leader Brent Lincoln recommends keeping an eye on pets throughout the night.

'Most of us love the popping and bright flashes of fireworks, but our furry-friends won't be as impressed.

'Keep your pets (small or large) safe and secure for the night. Make sure your cat or dog is microchipped and ensure the correct details are recorded with your council. If your pet somehow runs away from home this will help you reunite.”

Brent also suggests registering your microchipped animal at: animalregister.co.nz

The events are alcohol and smoke-free, and temporary liquor bans will be in place in and around each site. Attendees are encouraged to bike, bus or carpool to the events.

New Year's Eve Tauranga community events, 6pm – 5.30pm at Gordon Spratt Reserve, Pāpāmoa; the Tauranga Waterfront; Fergusson Park, Matua; Tauranga Racecourse at Greerton; Blake Park Mount Maunganui.

To find out more, visit tauranga.govt.nz/new-years-eve.