Earlier Start of Festival of Lights for Littlies

The younger members of our community will have a night especially for them this Sunday (3 February) at the TSB Bank Festival of Lights.

New Plymouth District Council is switching the park’s lights on an hour earlier than usual for the benefit of very young children who find the usual 8.30pm start is too late for them.

“This Sunday the festival lights will be turned on at 7.30pm so the littlies can see them too,” says Manager Events Ron Murray.

“We’ve had requests from the public to have an earlier start time for the sake of their young children and while we’re happy to make it happen, it is very much an experiment to see how popular the early switch-on proves to be.

“The early evening will still be quite light, but the little kids should be able to get some of the effect of the full festival.”

The earlier start this Sunday will be complemented by two scheduled evening performances for young children: Alison’s Studio of Dance from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Hatchery Lawn, and Marigold the fairy’s birthday from 7.30pm in the children’s playground.

“With the earlier switch-on time and these two evening performances, it will be a great night for little kids and their families in Pukekura Park,” says Mr Murray.