News

One of New Zealand’s most popular free community fundraising events, Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park in Christchurch has been cancelled again due to COVID‑19 restrictions.

Despite cancelling the Auckland concert last month, show organisers had been optimistic that the Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park event in Christchurch would go ahead as planned in line with government COVID guidelines around large events.

However, with the continued uncertainty around travel restrictions just weeks out from the scheduled date, and the lack of clarity around vaccination passports, show organisers have reluctantly decided to cancel the free outdoor event scheduled to be held on Saturday 11 December at Christchurch’s Hagley Park.

Coca‑Cola NZ’s Annette Chillingworth says, “We’re extremely disappointed that the current uncertainty around COVID restrictions has led to our decision to cancel Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park in Christchurch.”

“There are so many dedicated, talented people working hard behind the scenes year after year to bring our brilliant show to the big stage. We can only hope that we get back to some sort of normality in the coming months so our much-loved event can return in 2022.”

Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park is an important fundraiser for Youthline. For the last fifteen years funds raised at the two events have helped to support over 35,000 young people each year. Coca‑Cola NZ is working closely with Youthline to ensure their continued support in lieu of the cancelled events.

The iconic outdoor Christmas concert, dubbed ‘the nation’s favourite Christmas party’, annually attracts a massive live audience to the Auckland Domain and Christchurch’s Hagley Park when friends, families and communities gather to celebrate the start of the Kiwi summer festive season.

Show organisers of Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park have announced plans to bring the much-loved Christmas musical spectacular back to the big stage at Christchurch’s Hagley Park on Saturday 11 December.

While the popular free outdoor concert was scheduled to take place in November, show organisers have moved the date out a few weeks to allow for the extra preparation required to hold the event in Christchurch, in line with government COVID-19 restrictions. As announced last week, the Auckland show has been cancelled due to the uncertainty around Auckland’s COVID restrictions.

Annette Chillingworth, of Coca‑Cola New Zealand says, “While it was disappointing to have to cancel the Auckland show, we’re really pleased to be able to bring this wonderful Christmas celebration back to Hagley Park. We’ve been celebrating Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park in Christchurch for 25 years; however, this will be extra special as it will be our first show since 2019.”

Creative director Dixon Nacey says, “We’re so excited to be back together working on this year’s show. We’ve got a talent packed line-up and a magical, feel-good Christmas show that promises something for everyone.”

While the official line-up is still under wraps, Dixon confirms crowd favourites Vince Harder, Ella Monnery, Nate Dousand, Lavina Williams and Tom Batchelor will be there, joined by backing vocalists Anna Dougal, Paul Lisi and Iri Aumatangi.

Since 1994 Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park has raised millions of dollars for New Zealand charities. Proceeds from this year’s concert will once again go towards Youthline, who help support and develop over 35,000 young people every year.

Highlights of Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park in Christchurch will be broadcast in a free to air prime time special, airing later in December.

Christchurch show planned to go ahead; Auckland show cancelled.

Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park is one of New Zealand’s most popular free community fundraising events.

Show organisers are optimistic Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park in Christchurch can go ahead as planned, in line with government COVID guidelines around large events. But with the uncertainty around Auckland’s future COVID restrictions, organisers have made the difficult decision to cancel the event scheduled to be held on Saturday 11 December at the Auckland Domain.

Coca‑Cola NZ’s Annette Chillingworth says, “Of course, we’re extremely disappointed to cancel the Auckland show for the second year in a row. We delayed making this sad decision for as long as we could, however, we must consider the safety of everyone involved so of course, it’s the right thing to do. We’re really pleased to continue to plan for Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park in Christchurch scheduled for late November and the free-to-air TV broadcast of show highlights in December.”

Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park is an important fundraiser for Youthline. For the last fifteen years, funds raised at the two events have helped to support over 35,000 young people each year. The iconic outdoor Christmas concert, dubbed ‘the nation’s favourite Christmas party’, annually attracts a massive live audience to the Auckland Domain and Christchurch’s Hagley Park when friends, families and communities gather to celebrate the start of the Kiwi summer festive season.

The producers of the nation’s biggest free outdoor Christmas celebration are inviting talented newcomers to audition for the chance to be part of Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park, now in its 28^th year.

Creative director Dixon Nacey and his team are looking for exciting new talent to perform alongside some of New Zealand’s biggest acts at the two outdoor events in Christchurch and Auckland later this year.

Dixon encourages aspiring young performers to audition for the iconic show saying, “This is a unique opportunity for young performers to work with some of the country’s best, in front of a massive live audience, so if you think you’ve got what it takes, put your hand up and give it a go!”

Annette Chillingworth of Coca‑Cola NZ says, “It’s exciting to be able to offer talented young performers the chance to audition for a show that has launched the career of many young Kiwi entertainers.”

Motivated performers are encouraged to apply online to audition. Successful applicants will be invited to attend the audition workshops being held next month in Auckland and Christchurch.

If you have what it takes to share the stage with some of New Zealand’s biggest stars, check out www.christmasinthepark.co.nz and click on AUDITIONS for more information.