This Christmas season will bring whānau and community together with jingle bells set to ring throughout the Western Bay thanks to the funding support of the local collaborative fund, Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund.

The latest round of the TWBCEF has resulted in 19 applications receiving a combined total of $253,600, of which nine events will celebrate Christmas.

With the jolly man in red expected to appear at many events this silly season, joyful Christmas cheer will be found around Tauranga and Western Bay in the coming weeks.

Along with other festive events on offer around Tauranga and Western Bay, the TWBCEF has supported Christmas events in Katikati, Te Puke, Papamoa, Tauranga City, Bethlehem and Ōmokoroa from now until December 27.

Attend these events with your family and friends, to sing Christmas carols and appreciate local community performances and services.

Having community groups organise family-friendly events for the festive season allows locals and visitors to come together and share a sense of belonging, says Tauranga City Council’s venues and events manager, Nelita Byrne.

“It will be great to see the Christmas and community spirit on show at various locations across the Western Bay,” says Nelita.

“We’re proud to support these events through TWBCEF alongside fellow local funders.

“We’re delighted to support this year’s superb series of festive events and other events on this December and in the new year, says Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s community and strategic relationships manager, Jodie Rickard.

“There will be something for everyone to enjoy, from Katikati’s Christmas Series spreading the joy across multiple weeks, to Christmas in Te Puke where locals and visitors can enjoy a Christmas Parade, performers, and lots of delicious food.”

Those living in Papamoa won’t need to go far as they’ll have the Papamoa Santa Parade and nearby Carols on the Waterfront, which is being held on the Strand in the city.

Carols will continue to be heard in Bethlehem at the A Night Before Christmas concert which is back after the last few years’ events were cancelled due to weather and covid restrictions.

Ōmokoroa residents will also be able to connect with their neighbours at a local Carols in the Park event this year.

Community Christmas events supported by TWBCEF this year include:

• Katikati Christmas Series held from 27 November – 27 December 2023 at various locations and times.
• Christmas in Te Puke held on 2 December 2023 at Jubilee Park, 12:00pm – 3:00pm
• Carols on the Waterfront held on 3 December 2023 at Edgewater Fan, The Strand, Tauranga, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
• Carols in the Park held on 9 December 2023 at Ōmokoroa Sports Pavilion, 5:00pm – 8:00pm
• Papamoa Santa Parade held on 10 December 2023 at Dickson Road to Domain Road, then onto Gravatt Road, 10:30am – 1:00pm
• A Night Before Christmas held on 16 December 2023 at Bethlehem College, 4:00pm – 10:00pm
• Community Christmas Lunch held on 16 December 2023 at Katikati Memorial Hall, 12:00pm – 4:00pm

It's a great opportunity to get the family together, pack a picnic and enjoy time in some of our region’s beautiful spaces, says BayTrust CEO Alastair Rhodes.

“These events are a great way to get together with friends and whānau to make memories and celebrate Christmas with your community.”

Previous “A Night Before Christmas” events. Photo supplied.

TWBCEF round three funding recipient’s events:

• Celebrate Together held on 1 December 2023 at Jordan Field Memorial Park.
• Condors National Secondary School Sevens Tournament held from 2 to 5 December 2023 at Blake Park Mount Maunganui.
• Papamoa Santa Parade held on 10 December 2023 starting at Dickson Road.
• Tauranga Sikh Parade (Nagar Kirtan) held on 14 January 2024 at Tauranga Sikh Temple, 43 Burrows Street.
• Volleyball NZ Beach Series held from 16 January to 18 February 2024 at Mount Maunganui Beach.
• STEM Wana Robotic / AI Summer Tour 2024 held on 19 January 2024, venue to be confirmed.
• Eastern Region Surf Lifesaving Championships from 27 to 29 January at Mount Maunganui Beach.
• Oceans 24 Tournament held 22 to 25 February 2024 at Mount Maunganui Beach.
• The Great Waihī Beach Scavenger Hunt held on 27 and 28 January 2024 at multiple sites (self guided).
• Māori Pasifika Water Polo Tournament 2024 held from 9 to 11 February 2024 at Baywave Aquatic Cenre.
• Te Puke 118th A&P Lifestyle Show held on 10 February 2024 at A&P Showgrounds Road, Paengaroa.
• 2024 Tauranga Asian Food Show – Chinese New Year Festival held from 17 to 18 February 2024 at Historic Village.
• BOP Senior Secondary School Volleyball Championships held from 25 February to 10 March 2024 at Mercury Arena and Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre.
• Pride Picnic Day held on 2 March 2024 at Coronation Park.
• Holi Colour Splash held on 2 March 2024 at Jordan Park.
• DayBreak Festival of Innovation held from 4 to 10 March 2024 at various locations.
• 2024 New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships held from 14 to 17 March 2024 at Mount Maunganui Beach.
• Tauranga Multicultural Festival held on 23 March 2024 at Historic Village.
• Jazz Street Party held on 23 March 2024 in Katikati.

The website has funding details on these and other events supported by TWBCEF.

Applications for round four of the TWBCEF are now open through www.communityeventfund.nz.

Fund partners, Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, Tauranga City Council, TECT and Western Bay of Plenty District Council are inviting new community event applications to be submitted before January 20, 2024, cut-off date. Decisions for round four of the fund will be released by February 20, 2024.

The maximum funding cap per event is $50,000 for events in Tauranga and $15,000 for Western Bay of Plenty events.

For any queries, please contact Sarah Young, Grants & Event Fund Advisor info@communityeventfund.nz.

The TWBCEF is a collaborative fund created in partnership with funders throughout the Western Bay, consisting of Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, Tauranga City Council, TECT and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

The fund is designed to simplify the process and reduce the barriers to applying for community event funding.