Summer action is kicking off in Tauranga with the 2024 New Year's Countdown.

 The calendar of events includes live music, exhilarating cricket matches, sporting events, and vibrant festivals - all designed to bring a sense of excitement and community to the city of Tauranga.,>

“Tauranga is at the heart of New Year's Eve fun, offering something for everyone with our classic, laid-back Kiwi summer charm. It's an unbeatable spot to make lasting memories during this year's many summer celebrations,” says Tauranga City Council's Manager of Venue & Events Nelita Byrne.

“The locals aren’t leaving town, friends and family are wanting to come and stay, it’s the place everyone wants to be."
 
To shake off the Christmas pudding, the Eve’s Surfbreaker Triathlon, one of New Zealand’s oldest races, will provide great triathlon action on Wednesday, December 27.

Then Tauranga's New Year's festivities commence on Thursday,  December 28, with an incredible musical lineup at Wharepai Domain, featuring globally acclaimed bands L.A.B and Sublime with Rome, expected to draw a crowd of 8,000 excited fans.

BLACKCAPS at Bay Oval. Photo: SunLive.

Cricket fans will be heading to Bay Oval on Friday, December 29 and Sunday, December 31, to enjoy a day against a great backdrop of Mauao in the stunning Bay of Plenty summer, with the thrilling T20 matches between the BLACKCAPS and Bangladesh.

Then on Saturday, December 30, Wharepai Domain will be buzzing with performances at the A Summers Day Live concert, featuring Dire Straits Legacy, and Nazareth, while the Famous Last Words event will ring in 2024 at Mercury Baypark on New Year's Eve.

New Year's Eve celebrations. Photo: Hunter Studio.

New Year's Eve will see Tauranga City Council showcasing its commitment to enhancing the city by delivering five free community, family-friendly events which include spectacular fireworks displays.

“The community events are a testament to our Council’s belief in the power of community and the joy that comes from celebrating together. It’s our community events that make Tauranga an even greater place to call home and why many are choosing a staycation of this fun filled time,” says Nelita.
 
And on Wednesday, January 3, the Bay Dreams North concert will be pumping out the tunes at their new home in Wharepai Domain to an expected crowd of around 9,000, followed by the much-anticipated Juicy Fest 2024 at Mercury Baypark on Sunday, January 7.

Bay Dreams. Photo: Supplied/SunLive.

Loretta Crawford, Head of Destination Marketing at Tourism Bay of Plenty, says the popular summertime events always add vibrancy to the city, which is great for visitors and locals alike.

“Events like these are key moments in time that we can look forward to, they bring people together, and they give us the space to collectively celebrate the music or sport that we like.”

“We’re sure that a lot of these event attendees will also enjoy our fantastic eateries and activity options. Our beaches are consistently voted the best in the country, which makes our region an obvious choice for a summer holiday, but Tauranga is so much more than that!”

For more information on upcoming events, visit My Tauranga: https://www.mytauranga.co.nz 

• Eve’s Surfbreaker Triathlon – Wednesday, 27 December 2023, Mount Maunganui
• L.A.B. and Sublime with Rome – Thursday, 28 December 2023, Wharepai Domain
• International Cricket – Black Caps vs Bangladesh T20 – Friday 29 & Sunday 31 December 2023, Bay Oval
• A Summers Day Live, Dire Straits Legacy and Nazareth – Saturday, 30 December 2023, Wharepai Domain
• Tauranga City Council New Year’s Eve Community Celebrations – Sunday, 31 December 31 from 6pm
• Gordon Spratt Reserve – Pāpāmoa New Year’s Eve Community Celebration Sunday,  December 31 from 6pm
• The Waterfront – Tauranga City Centre - New Year’s Eve Community Celebration Sunday,  December 31 from 6pm
• Fergusson Park – Matua (accessible/low-sensory event from 5.30pm – 6pm) - New Year’s Eve Community Celebration Sunday,  December 31 from 6pm
• Tauranga Racecourse – Greerton - New Year’s Eve Community Celebration Sunday,  December 31 from 6pm
• Blake Park – Mount Maunganui - New Year’s Eve Community Celebration Sunday,  December 31 from 6pm
• Famous Last Words – Sunday, December 31 2023, Mercury Baypark
• Bay Dreams – Wednesday, January 3 2024, Wharepai Domain
• Juicy Fest – Sunday, January  72024, Mercury Baypark.