It’s that time of year again when, for all things, Jolly, Joyful and generally Christmassy, Papakura is your one stop Christmas stop! Having always had always had a strong community spirit, a varied retail base with 36 new shops opened this year alone, and with numerous eatery options, your local town centre has pulled out all the stops to make this festive season the best ever!
If you look around town, you will see the wonderful flags and bows that have gone up during November, along with the ‘Stars in the centre court Christmas Tree’ Thanks to the local board for funding for this one. Add in the decorations on the corners of all the streets and Papakura is looking magnificent and a really festive feel is emanating from our great little town.
Our retailers have joined in with festive decorations and some are participating in our Christmas Scavenger Hunt running throughout December. Children, you can join in by taking the entry form printed on page xx around the shops and using the clues provided find the numbered Christmas baubles and record where you found each one.
In recent years, Papakura has flourished from being a small town to a successful business hub, with a variety of great food, entertainment and shopping options for locals. This is, partly in thanks to the hard work behind the scenes of Papakura’s Business Association who work tirelessly with a number of stakeholders to put Papakura on the map.
This year has been no exception with a successful street festival, street fashion display in store windows, planters and bicycle decorations, Chorus boxes that have been painted beautifully, murals painted around town, sustainable planters with herb and vegetable seedling planted for the community to share in and to round out the year, lots of activities running throughout December.
Every Saturday from November 30th, there will be entertainment in the centre court from 11am through to 2pm. Live music, fun activities for the family, all designed to make sure your shopping experience in Papakura is truly a festive one.
On Friday December 6th, the annual Carols in the Park will take place from 6pm. Everyone is invited to come down to Central Park and join in with local groups in singing some of the well-known Christmas carols. Bring a picnic blanket, the whole family and enjoy what it always a beautiful evening. Interestingly, the Christmas Carol has origins as far back as Winter Pagan Solstice celebrations as the word ‘carol’ was derived from words meaning to sing and dance in a circular progression.
Don’t forget to diarise the arrival of the Big Man, ‘Santa’ will arrive in Papakura December 8th with the not to be missed Rotary Papakura Christmas parade, a great fun day out for all, with live entertainment, activities, retail specials culminating with the parade from 3 pm in town. “Last year there was over 35 floats and 3000+ people, it is a very important date in our retail calendar,” says Tracy.
After the Christmas parade, there will be an after party in Central Park, with live music, activities for the kids, hot food, sausage sizzle, ice cream etc. This is a new initiative funded by the Papakura Local Board and it’s designed for families to just relax and enjoy some good music and bands. A great afternoon for the kids too after the Santa parade with Mr Whippy, Food Trucks at the Park, Face painting and more. Come back to Central Park after the Parade and enjoy these festivities from 4pm through until 6 pm.
Once Santa has arrived, and attended to duties in other parts of town, he will be homed in the Grotto from the 16th of December through to the 23rd. The grotto is based in the old Travel Select store at 182 Great South road and you can have your free photo taken with him, any day (excluding Sunday) from 11am through to 3pm.
With all this entertainment whilst you shop, it makes sense to take advantage of the gift-wrapping station that Santa provides. Gift Wrapping is available for all your purchases in town for a gold coin donation that this year will go towards supporting the great team at the Papakura Volunteer Fire Brigade. Did you know that our local brigade have attended over XXX call outs since the start of the year.
It’s all part of what makes Papakura the great place it is, so whether you are hunting for a special Christmas gift for a special someone, just doing your regular family gift shopping or grabbing a bite to eat, check out all the happenings in Papakura this Christmas season!
Check out www.papakura.co.nz for more information.
December Saturdays in Town
Join Santa, once he arrives and a host of entertainers every Saturday on Centre Court from 11am through to 2pm. Lots of fun for all the family.
Carols in the Park - Friday 6th Dec, 6pm
Bring your friends and family and join in with what is always a lovely evening in Central Park where everyone can come along to hear some Christmas carols in a beautiful setting.
Rotary Christmas Parade - Sunday 8th Dec, 3pm
Don’t miss the arrival of SANTA! The wonderful Papakura Rotary Christmas parade is always well attended and a great fun day out for all. Entertainment will be out and about before the start of the parade at 3pm so make a day of it.
For any enquiries or to register a float in the parade please contact us at 09 298 8996 for a registration form.
Chilling in the Park - Sunday 8th Dec, 4pm- 6pm
After the Christmas parade, there will be an after party in Central Park, with live music, activities for the kids, hot food, sausage sizzle, ice cream etc. This is a new initiative funded by the Papakura Local Board and it’s just to relax and enjoy some good music and bands. A great afternoon for the kids to go after the Santa parade with Mr Whippy, food trucks at the park, face painting and more. Come back to Central Park after the Parade and enjoy these festivities until 6 pm.