Christmas at the Bowl returns to the Bowl of Brooklands tonight (Sunday 21 December), bringing one of Taranaki’s most-loved community traditions back to Pukekura Park for an evening of carols, sing-alongs and a finale designed to light up the natural amphitheatre.
Gates open from 4:00pm, giving families plenty of time to settle in with a picnic spot before the entertainment begins. Pre-show music starts at 6:30pm, the main variety show begins at 8:00pm, and the night is expected to wrap up around 9:40pm with the fireworks spectacular timed for about 9:35pm.
Christmas at the Bowl is a community-run event. Entry is by gold coin donation at the gates, with EFTPOS available. Candles and holders are handed out on entry (limited numbers, with a maximum of one candle for every two people), and there are recycling bins for leftover candles at the gates when you leave.
If you’re heading along, plan for classic Bowl conditions: it can be warm early and turn cool later, so a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and a rain jacket are all worth considering. Seating is general admission on the grass, so blankets and cushions are ideal, and if you need a chair, organisers ask that you keep it to a low sand chair so everyone can still see the stage.
It’s a big night out, too. The event can attract up to 15,000 people, and the message from organisers is simple: be kind, make room where you can, and help keep the Bowl enjoyable for everyone around you.
Food-wise, you can bring your own picnic or takeaway, and there are also food vendors operating inside the venue through the evening. Organisers are pushing a “Clean Christmas” approach, encouraging people to take rubbish home to help reduce waste.
There are four main entry points into the venue: Dell Gate (from Pukekura Park), Brooklands Drive (off Brooklands Road), Racecourse through Pukekura Raceway (off Coronation Avenue), and Kaimata (via Kaimata Street). Parking is available on nearby streets and within the Racecourse area via Coronation Avenue, while Brooklands Drive will be closed to vehicles except for disability access.
For accessibility, vehicles displaying a mobility parking permit can access Brooklands Drive before and after the show for drop-off and pick-up at the Brooklands Gate entrance. There is also limited mobility parking available on a first-come, first-served basis within the Gables Lawn for permit holders who can’t arrange a driver. An Ironside Disability Vehicle is scheduled to operate from the main Bowl ticket box to the bottom of the Bowl hill from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, then pause until it’s safe to begin transporting people again after the show (around 9:45pm).
A few key reminders for the night: no alcohol is sold inside the venue, but organisers note alcohol may be consumed responsibly, and the Bowl of Brooklands and surrounding Pukekura Park are smokefree (including vaping). The fireworks are a live display with loud sound and the potential for small debris, so anyone concerned is advised to leave the area prior to the display (around 9:30pm).
Beyond the show itself, the setting is part of what makes the night special. The Bowl of Brooklands was built in 1957 and remains one of the country’s most recognised natural amphitheatres, created by the community for the community.
Event info
Is there an Entry Fee?
A gold coin donation on entry to the venue is appreciated. Collectors will have branded Christmas at the Bowl buckets to gratefully receive your donation. Eftpos machines and Paywave will be available at the gates
Will there be any Candles?
A limited number of candles and candle holders are provided at entry points around the venue. These will be distributed by our collection volunteers on entry to the venue, with a maximum of one candle for every two people. Candle recycling collection bins will be available at each gate at the end of the evening. Please recycle your left over candles on departure.
What should I pack?
The weather forecast is cloudy for tonight, remember that the Bowl of Brooklands is an outdoor venue so please dress appropriately. It will get cool later in the evening but you may need a hat, sunscreen and insect repellant earlier on. Plus, there’s always the chance of rain, so we advise packing a suitable rainjacket!
Can I bring food into the venue?
Bring your picnic or takeaway food to enjoy throughout the event. There is no restriction on the food permitted into the venue however, please be mindful of our ‘Clean Christmas’ approach to waste and take your rubbish home with you. There will be a number of food vendors within the venue that will operate throughout the event, offering a range of options.
Can I bring my own seats?
The event is general admission, so you can sit anywhere on the grassed area. Bring a picnic blanket and a cushion for comfort. If you require a seat, please only bring a low sand chair and be courteous to those around you so that everyone can see the stage. Christmas at the Bowl attracts an audience of up to 15,000 people but there is ample space for everyone to enjoy the show. Please be kind, make room for others if you can, and share the holiday spirit with the people around you.
Is there a space for lost children?
Yes, Children who get lost should visit the top ticket box at the Bowl of Brooklands. We recommend writing the name of a phone number on your child’s hand in clear pen or Sharpie – so if your child does get lost, we’ll know who to call.
How do I get to the show?
The event is at the Bowl of Brooklands. There are four gate entrances:
- Dell Gate (from Pukekura Park)
- Brooklands Drive (off Brooklands Road)
- Racecourse through Pukekura Raceway (off Coronation Avenue)
- Kaimata (via Kaimata Street)
How can I exit the venue safely at the end of the night?
Please be patient as we’re expecting a large crowd this evening. Park lighting will be available to guide your exit from the Bowl to Fillis Street at the conclusion of this year’s show.
Accessibility information
Vehicles with mobility parking permits displayed will be able to access Brooklands Drive prior to and after the show, to drop off and pick up people with limited mobility from the Brooklands Gate entrance.
The Ironside vehicle will be available to transport those with limited mobility from the top of the hill, down to the bottom at the start of the evening. This service will operate in the opposite direction at the end of the show.
Wheelchairs can go anywhere in the general admission area but please note that some sections of the Bowl have a very steep gradient which could prove difficult to navigate for those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility.
Is the show smokefree?
The Bowl of Brooklands and Pukekura Park are smoke-free. However, as this is a family event, we request that no smoking or vaping be allowed within the venue.
