12th Annual Fiesta of Lights
Thanks everyone for making it to our festival. It's the biggest crowds we have had - ever. Happy Holidays !
Fri 18th December to Thursday 31 December 2009 including Christmas Day
300,000 Sparkling Lights. A million watts of family fun !
"I like the teddy bear when he waved at me" Penny Mathews - 5 years old (20 Dec)
"Wonderful. The Neptune scene is amazing" Fujimori Yukihisa, Japan (21 Dec)
"We have never seen anything like it anywhere." Van Der Sluis Family, Netherlands (25 Dec)
"It's the first time our family has done the Hokey Pokey together and our kids loved it." Smiths, Auckland (27 Dec)
"The lights and set-up are fantastic. We're posting our photos on You Tube" George, Hastings (28 Dec)
"I'm so pleased my grandchildren brought me out tonight, it was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful" Sarah Alexander (83 years) Taradale (28 Dec)
"it was a memorabe new year celebration for our kids. Thanks" The Wilsons, Invercargill
We brought our family reunion along for New Year and everyone had a ball from our babies to our grandparents" The Daniels, Taradale
There's two spectacular fireworks shows on New Year's Eve, one early at 9.30am just for the kiddies.
See the only World War 2 searchlight in New Zealand up close and in action every night from 9.15pm. The owners Wayne Clarke and Jason Scott will answer questions and put the searchlight through it's paces as it's beam pierces the night sky. It can be seen from the Napier to Taupo Highway 60 klm away.
Light Displays
Welcome to the fantasy world of holiday lights in the magnificent setting of Waikoko Gardens. Get into the holiday spirit and enjoy thousands of twinkling lights which envelope lake-side walkways.
Motion Light Displays featuring Spectacular Scenes!
A perennial crowd favourite, these stunning light displays include diving penguins, a fiery sea dragon, bouncing kiwis and leaping deer. All light displays have been designed and built in Hastings by volunteers.
Things you should know
No alcohol, glass, dogs or pets in the grounds, free on-site parking.
Handy Tips
Dress comfortably and wear walking shoes. Wear layered clothing, bring raincoat, rug and umbrella - just in case.
Hot food, beverages and toilets available. Picnics, beach chairs and kiddies in pyjamas welcome. Lights turn on at 9.15pm when it's completely dark. Gates open at 7.30pm.
Where Does The Money Go To ? Your entry fee purchases new light displays for the following year. The event is produced and run by a non profit group Public Dreams Trust with support from 100 volunteers.
Who else gives ? Hastings District Council, Classic Hits, FLAVA, B-Line Scaffolding, Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc, Grow Advertising, Hawke's Bay Today