TSB Bank Festival of Lights

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TSB Bank Festival of Lights

Since 1993 the TSB Bank Festival of Lights has been wowing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year with an awesome mix of events, entertainment and of course a spectacular lighting display set against the backdrop of Pukekura Park.

Visit the TSB Bank Festival of Lights official website for the full Summer Scene and On Stage programme, competitions, photos and downloads - www.festivaloflights.co.nz. Bookmark it now!

What is Summer Scene?

Summer Scene is the daytime activities and events programme that takes place throughout the New Plymouth District for children and their families. Activities include scavenger hunts, skateboarding events, magicians and much more.

What is On Stage?

On Stage is the nightly entertainment programme that takes place in Pukekura Park over the festival. There are two stages of entertainment running throughout the festival (entertainment every night on the Hatchery Lawn and weekends only on the Fred Parker Lawn).

Where

Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.

When

Time: 8pm-11pm
Main season: Every evening from 14 December 2008 to 8 February 2009

TSB Bank Festival of Lights Programme

Visit the official website for a copy of the TSB Bank Festival of Lights programme.

• TSB Bank Festival of Lights official website

Note: If you live in the district and normally receive the Midweek you will receive a free programme in your mail box, so please do not request one.

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Become a Festival Friend

You can register your details to become an official Festival Friend! You will be sent a TSB Bank Festival of Lights brochure in early December and you will be emailed regular updates about the festival, including highlight events not to be missed, features to look out for and other important information.

• TSB Bank Festival of Lights official website

What are the lights like?

At night, fluorescent pebble paths sparkle beneath excited feet, majestic trees and plants glow, and waterfalls and lakes shimmer and shine beneath thousands of lighting displays. But it's the features such as the talking giant, fire poi dancers or the parades that captivate the young and the not so young.

Structures such as the park's water wheel, fountains and historic band rotunda are flooded with lights, while illuminated wooden rowboats offer a romantic boating opportunity like no other.

History

The festival's origins date back to 1953 when a fountain with lights beneath it was installed in one of the park’s lakes to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The first illuminations were put up in the park in 1957, and from there the displays grew alongside the Christmas Lights display in the city streets.

The lights festival itself started in 1993, and the TSB Bank Festival of Lights is the longest running and most successful festival and arts event in Taranaki attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

In 2005 the festival was named Creative New Zealand's premier Cultural Festival and Arts Event in the country and this year Pukekura Park and the TSB Festival of Lights was voted into the Mayfair spot of New Zealand monopoly.

Related links

 

• Pukekura Park Return to top
• TSB Bank Festival of Lights website