Good morning and welcome to Saturday. Ko te ra tenei i hanga e te Ariki. Ka koa tatou, ka koa hoki ki reira.

MetService is forecasting a mostly cloudy day with rain at times, and northerlies developing this morning.

It's a one-layer clothing day with an expected high of 24 degrees, and an overnight low of 19 degrees. Low tide is at 10.34am and high tide is at 4.54pm. Sunset is at 8.37pm.

What's on today?

Head along to the Welcome Market's Christmas Market at Matua Park from 9am - 1pm.  As well as food and craft stalls there are stalls with balloon animals, face painting, Santa and photos and a lolly scramble.

Little Big Markets. Photo: Supplied.

At Mount Maunganui, check out Little Big Markets,  which runs from 9am - 2pm at Coronation Park, Maunganui Road. For more information click here

Head to the Christmas Eve Farmer's Market in Tauranga for fresh produce and more from local suppliers. Photo: Supplied.

A special 'Christmas Eve' Market is on today at the Tauranga Farmers Market on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Cameron Road. Starting bright and early at 7.45 am and running till noon, the organisers say this market will ensure you have all the fresh ingredients needed to prepare a delicious Christmas feast. Stock up on the finest produce, homemade treats, and more to make this Christmas truly memorable.

The Whittakers. Photo: Supplied.

The Whittakers are also appearing live at the Tauranga Farmer's Market's Christmas Market today and promising to brush up on their Christmas songs - all three of them! Click here for more information on this popular local band.

The Incubator. Photo: Supplied.

At The Incubator Creative Hub at Tauranga Historic Village, there are many exhibitions, workshops and events happening daily. For more information click here.

For more events visit My Tauranga.

The Mission House at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga in Mission St is open from 10am - 4pm. Come and view the Mission House and gardens. For more information click here

Love public art? CITY ART WALK TAURANGA app is a free to download walking tour of 20 public artworks in Tauranga's city centre. For more information click here

Diana Bomford, Tony Fraser and Hugh Bomford at the Lion and Tusk Museum at Mount Maunganui. Photo: Daniel Hines.

Have you been to the Lion and Tusk Museum yet? It's open today from 10am - 3pm at Unit 4, 14 Portside Dr, Mount Maunganui. Come and see a massive display of Rhodesian military history records and exhibits of uniforms, medals and equipment. Opening hours are 10am – 3pm Thursday to Sunday. For more information click here

Santa's Christmas Grotto in Katikati is also open for all to see.

Until Thursday, December 28, people have the chance to enjoy magical displays from the Westen Bay Library, Katikati Theatre, Katikati Combined Churches, Katikati Floral Art, Katch Katikati and Katikati Open Air Art.

Check it out by heading down to the Arts Junction at 36 Main Road, Katikati. Open weekdays from 9am to 4pm, weekends and public holidays from 10am to 2pm.

Closed on Christmas Day.

What else is on today?

Art in the Park
Original art for sale. Weather permitting. Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui. 9am-4pm Tauranga Society of Artists

Association Croquet
Sat, Mon,Wed at Club Mt Maunganui, 45 Kawaka St. 9.15am for 9.30am start. Visitors & new players welcome. Ph. Malcolm 027 681 5204

Bay Singles Social Group
Join a bunch of over 50's young singles.Weekend dinners, pot lucks, occasional outings. Have a go! Ph Delia 027 284 8762, Andrea 021 133 0313

Bay Singles Social Groups
Join a bunch of over 50"s young singles. Weekend dinners, pot-lucks, occasional outings, Have a go! Ph Delia 027 284 8762, Andrea 021 133 0313

Boules - Petanque
Tauranga BOP Club, Tawa Street, Mt Maunganui. Social + competitive play. Boules available. New players welcome. Ph Ray 027 756 3565 for times, further details.

Christmas face painting
Excited for Santa? Come along to Red Square to get a beautiful Christmas face painting to get in the festive mood. 10:30am - 1:30pm

Gingerbread house in Red Square
9am - 5pm a beautiful Gingerbread house will be in Red Square for children and the whole family to enjoy.

Live Music on Wharf
12-3pm Grab your mates, head to your favorite bars and eateries on Wharf Street, and enjoy the live entertainment and good vibes!

Santa's grotto
come along and enjoy some festive fun in Santa’s grotto. 2 Grey Street. Saturdays up till Christmas:10am – 3pm AND week before Christmas:18-22 December,10am-3pm

Shapes of Summer
from dusk light sculptures run the length of The Strand Reserve, from Wharf Street to Dive Crescent, encouraging locals and visitors to explore the waterfront.

Taijiquan and Qigong
Sat & Wed 9 am free Taiji / Qigong group. Kulim Park on beach by big rock. All welcome. Ph Petro 021 751 665

Veto Summer Pop-Up Shop
136 Willow Street, CBD, Tauranga. Monday-Friday 10am-4pm&Saturday 9am-4pm.

Village Radio Museum
Community Radio broadcasting nostalgic music & Community notices seven days on 1368 KHz AM Band and Live streaming on villageradio.co.nz Museum open from 10am. Request line 5713710