If you haven’t sorted your plans for tonight yet, don’t stress. The TSB Festival of Lights has done the heavy lifting for you, turning Pukekura Park into the ultimate New Year’s Eve destination. Whether you’ve got a pram full of tired toddlers or you’re ready to dance until the early hours, the schedule is stacked.
For parents who know midnight is a stretch, head straight to the Fred Parker Lawn. From 6.30pm, the “Be Magical” team is taking over. We’re talking sing-alongs with Elsa and superhero training with Spider-Man. It’s interactive, loud, and perfect for burning off that holiday energy.
The best bit? They do a special kids’ countdown at 8pm. You can get the little ones excited about the New Year, have a boogie, and still have them tucked up in bed at a reasonable hour.
Once the sun dips and the lights flick on at 8.30pm, the vibe shifts.
If you grew up listening to Hauraki, you’ll want to catch Taranaki’s own Dude, Where’s My Guitar? (around 7.30pm). They’re bringing the nostalgic pop-punk and grunge hits—think Blink-182 and Nirvana. Perfect for dustting off the Converse.
Over on the Hatchery Lawn, it’s a mix of indie and groove. Marmalade brings the chill indie-rock vibes from 8.35pm, followed by the Carnivorous Plant Society at 9.40pm. If you haven’t seen them before, expect a visual feast—they combine live music with animations.
Ringing in 2026 For the late crew, Flamingo Pier (DJ Set) will be taking over the Hatchery Lawn from 11pm to steer us into the new year. Expect tropical, electronic beats that are impossible not to move to. Alternatively, if you want a 90s warehouse rave atmosphere, DJ iamaparty is spinning tunes on the Fred Parker Lawn right through until 11pm.
