Summer’s here...let the entertainment begin!

Nelson City Council’s summer events line up launches into action next weekend on Saturday 13 December with the magical Lantern Celebration up the Centre of New Zealand.

Grab a torch and the kids, and head to the Botanical Reserve from 7pm where you will find all kinds of creations, installations and music waiting to surprise and enchant as walkers make their way up the hill.

There will be a whole host of entertainment at the top including music and even Santa himself. People can watch the sun slowly set and the darkness rise before heading back down the hill. Remember to bring a torch – the track will be dark!

Lantern making workshops are being held before the event on Saturday 6 December and Saturday 13 December, from 10am to noon, at Community Art Works, 25 Paru Paru Road. Lanterns and paints are provided, please bring a gold coin donation.

Organisers encourage everyone to bring along homemade lanterns or simply a torch if they can’t make the workshops beforehand. Because of the fire risk, use a battery or solar powered light and please don’t smoke on the hill. Bring warm clothing. Children under 13 must be supervised by an adult.

The Lantern Celebration is part of the Summer in Nelson events programme, which arrives in residents’ letterboxes this week, bursting with exciting events to inspire and entertain.

Busker shows, open-air movies, funky street music and events associated with the Festival of Cricket are all included in this year’s programme, which will keep locals and visitors entertained throughout the festive and holiday season.

“It’s really important we provide Nelsonians and visitors with a wide range of summer events that have free entry or affordable ticket prices. This season’s line-up promises that – plus a number of additional events to celebrate our involvement in the ICC 2015 Cricket World Cup,” says Mayor Rachel Reese.

“Firstly, I encourage everyone to take part in our much-loved Lantern Celebration next weekend. This event embodies to me what living in Nelson is all about. It’s a chance for the community to come together to celebrate the festive season in a creative and magical way,” she says.

Other Summer in Nelson programme highlights include:

• Summer Movies Al Fresco – classic movies in picturesque parks and reserves across the region throughout January. Cost $1 children; $2 adult.

• Teddy Bears’ Picnic – the iconic picnic will be held on 11 January and feature a fun and busy few hours of entertainment for the kids – and their teddies.

• Nelson Buskers Festival – international buskers entertain crowds at the top of Trafalgar Street and Fairfield Park for several hours, from 29 January to 1 February.

• Festival of Cricket – including a street party and screening of the Black Caps opening game at the top of Trafalgar Street, 14 February.

Grab a copy of the full programme from your mail box, at Council’s customer service centre, or from libraries and retail outlets throughout Nelson and Tasman. You can also see the summer events line up at www.nelsonfestivals.co.nz from Thursday 4 December.

Tickets for When Buskers Go Bad on 29 and 30 January are on sale at www.ticketdirect.co.nz or by phoning 03 548 3840. You can also purchase these tickets at Theatre Royal Nelson, Nelson i-SITE, Richmond Mall and TicketDirect outlets.

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