The Countdown to Christmas & New Year!

Our Christmas decorations are up and there is only 10 days left in the countdown to Christmas.

16th December |  7.00pm - 9.00pm Carols By Candlelight

Venue: Kuirau Park

The Rotorua Symphonic Band are performing at 7pm, with the Carols programme underway by 7.20pm. Guests will then be treated to a fantastic display by local entertainers, before the much awaited lighting of the candles at 8.50pm!

Candles and holders will be available at the venue for a gold coin donation, or you can bring your own. Don't forget to get comfy and bring a chair or a rug, and warm clothing. There will be food and drink stalls set up on site. Song sheets can be found in the Rotorua Review's Tuesday edition.

31st December | From 6pm

NZCT Rock the Lake 2011 – New Years Eve Mardi Gras

Venue: Rotorua Village Green

Performers include: the cast from Nothing Trivial, Roger Cunningham and the 2011 Rock the Lake Band, The Shamus Webster Band, Major, Chris Webber, Pirates of the Nile, Kelly Makiha and Daryl Cogger, and the Nataria Dancers! Please note that the alcohol ban will be monitored.

 

27th December | 6.30pm-12.30am

Speedy Signs NZ Stockcar Championships

Venue: Paradise Valley Raceway

This is sure to be one high-speed, pure adrenaline event! What more can you expect when  from race cars custom built top ram each other. There's only one sport where the only way to stop your opponent is by driving him up a concrete wall. This one is for the petrolhead guys and gals- the perfect way to transition from Christmas dinner into New Year party-mode!

The annual Christmas parade went off without a hitch, Kids Rock Early Learning Centre winning 'Best Float'. The first place non profit organisation was Maranatha SDA Rotorua and the retired Christmas crew won the business section.

The Christmas spirit so far this season has been fantastic, so we have gathered together all the best events to tide you over the Christmas and New Year break!

Rugby World Cup 2011 Fever! Haka Flash Mobs & Lots More ...

Fiji vs. Namibia

It has been great to see the rugby-related festivities happening around the place. Spirits are high and we can only imagine it’s going to get bigger and better the more we approach the much anticipated FINAL RWC2011 GAME!

Our first game at the Rotorua International Stadium Fiji vs. Namibia was packed with supporters – Fiji had a massive turnout of diehard fans! We weren’t disappointed on Wednesday with Samoa vs. Namibia either, having a great crowd and game. Overall, it was a very successful weekend for Rotorua.

With our massive projector screening the opening weekend games, we had a fantastic turnout at Mezz Bar and the Atrium Restaurant on both Friday and Saturday nights. There was plenty of great food, drinks and merrymaking.

There has been a huge Rotorua presence about the country, with plenty of our locals involved with the Haka flashmobs that have been popping up around the country. It has been fantastic seeing everybody getting into the spirit of things, both in and out of the match.

It’s fast building up to our final game on the 25^th September when Ireland vs. Russia and we really, really can’t wait for this one! It has already SOLD OUT and has all the makings for an edge-of-the-seat game. Ireland will no doubt still be fizzing from their BIG WIN against Australia.

Rotorua is preparing itself for the biggest crowd yet! Shops are encouraged to stay open later and our very own Mezz Bar and AtriumRestaurant will be showing the game on our big screen. 

Stay tuned on our Rydges Rotorua Facebook page for more news of food and drink deals on the big night!