Explore
Explore what else is on offer at the festival, including special event features and pop ups.
Expressions of Interest - Light Installations
Read the EOI document then submit your application here.
Key dates and deadlines below:
6 April - Applications open
1 June - Applications close at 5pm/shortlisting process commences
Mid June - Shortlist confirmed, discussion & negotiation
Late June - Final selections
1 July - early December - Agreements signed and installation design and build phase to commence (up to 20 weeks)
Early - mid December - Installations delivery/install (exact schedule to be advised)
Mid December - Festival of Lights commences
Early February - Festival of Lights concludes
Early February - Pack out installations
Map
Use our interactive festival map to help make your way around Pukekura Park. It has information on where to find light installations, food, parking and bathrooms.
Powerco Lights Up The Night | New Year's Eve
Join us at the park as we celebrate the New Year thanks to Powerco!
Whether you’re after something to keep the kids entertained, or a night out with your mates, we’ve got you covered.
Kids' New Year's Eve Countdown | 8pm
Tobetones and the Breaks | 8pm
Brendon Thomas and the Vibes | 9.15pm
Light Bites
Fill your belly with delicious food truck cuisine at Light Bites! Picnic tables and beanbags are available so you can sit back, relax and enjoy a bite to eat.
Times: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Dates: 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 31 December
2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19 January
Row Boats
Check out the lights from a different perspective - by boat!
- Boats must be booked on the day.
- Boat hire is $15 per 25 minutes.
- Bookings must be made at the Tea House on the Lake at Pukekura Park until 6pm, then at the boat ramp beside the band rotunda from 6pm – 10.30pm. These locations are on our festival map.
Times: Boats are available for hire from 10am – 10.30pm
Dates: Saturday 14 December to Saturday 1 February, excluding Christmas Day
What's New
These pop up events are all new to the festival this year.
The Arboreal Aerialist
This ethereal installation-style performance sees contemporary dance uniquely combined with aerial harness work. Touring New Zealand to critical acclaim, this ‘mesmerising’ work is designed to inspire audiences to look up and appreciate the incredible heritage trees within our communities and to slow down and reconnect with the natural beauty of this land.
Created and performed by Chloe Loftus.
Dates & times:
7.30pm – 7.55pm, 9.30pm – 9.55pm 27 December
Rock 'n' Roll Pop Up
Come shake, rattle and roll with the New Plymouth Rock ‘n’ Roll Club. Join in for some fun, learn the moves or sit back and watch them in the Festival Hub.
Dates & times:
For more information call Suzanne on 021 234 7477 or visit Rock 'n' Roll New Plymouth's website.
Roller Disco Pop Up
Roller-skate in the park with your friends, family and the New Plymouth Roller Sports Club! Bring your own skates, or there’ll be loan skates available - remember to bring socks! We recommend you protect yourself and bring your bike helmet and arm, leg, and hand protection. Session numbers are limited to keep you safe.
Dates & times:
For more information email skatesports.taranaki@gmail.com or check out Skatesports' website.
TSB Light Play
Be transported with the power of virtual reality, thanks to TSB! Put on the VR headset, select an experience, and find yourself in a whole new world; from painting in 3D space, to exploring tropical beaches, underwater oceans, or floating amongst the stars.
Times: 8pm – 10pm
Dates: 20, 21, 22 and 23 January
Sponsored by:
Hooker Pacific Tiny Town
Tiny Town gives festival-goers the thrill and intimacy of their very own private show. Made from a 10-foot shipping container converted into a mini theatre, it’s fully kitted-out with a stage, lighting and sound along with red velvet curtains.
Times: 8.30pm – 10.30pm
Dates: 26 to 31 December
Sponsored by:
Grimace the Gorilla
Grimace is back and the festival’s resident cheeky, banana-chewing gorilla has found himself a new spot! Find him on the festival map.
Times: 8.30pm – 10pm
Dates: 14, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31 December
2, 4, 11 January
Light Up Your Home
Experience the joy of Christmas with Light Up Your Home. Local houses will be lit with Christmas lights from Friday 13 December to Sunday 5 January, 9pm – 11pm.
Start planning your trip around the lights by downloading our list of the amazing houses who've signed up to light up!
Let's Glow!
Glow as bright as Pukekura Park with these fun products available at the Festival Hub!
Glow Face Painting
Times: 8pm – 10.30pm
Dates: Everyday excluding Christmas Day and 1 January
Glow Products
Times: 8pm – 10.30pm
Dates: 14 December to 1 February
Featured Sculpture: Lylla
Lylla is the creation of local stone sculptor Lyall Tupe, made in memory of his daughter. View it on the Fred Parker Lawn.
See other sculptors creating masterpieces at Te Kupenga, the International Stone Sculpture Symposium, on New Plymouth’s foreshore from Friday 3 January to Saturday 25 January. Watch the sculptors in action, or see the finished artworks exhibited from 9am to 11pm daily Saturday 25 January to Saturday 1 February.
