14 November 2024 - 0 Comments

When special events impresario Alan Smythe presented his idea of a free outdoor family Christmas concert to be held at the Auckland Domain to Coca-Cola NZ, they embraced the concept of a community event that brought family and friends together.  Fast forward three decades, it’s become the nation’s favourite, free Christmas musical extravaganza and an aspirational goal for thousands of talented young Kiwi performers. As the countdown begins to the 30-year celebration performance, here are some fun facts, memorable moments, and a preview of this year’s highlights 

- The first Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park was held on 10th December 1994 at the Auckland Domain and since then has presented 60 concerts to massive live audiences in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.  

- Generations of Kiwis have grown up with this iconic event as a firm fixture in their Christmas celebrations. 

- Since 1994, over 15,000 singers, dancers and musicians have performed in the shows; over 7,500 crew have worked in production and construction, and over 18,000 have worked on the day including police, parking officials, first aid workers and security guards.

- Many famous names have donned the red suit including Dalvanius, Ray Woolf and Russell Harrison, and the singing Santas have arrived in a variety of ways, ranging from a waka, a lifeboat, a fire truck, a giant sled, but perhaps the most memorable was arriving by flying fox from the Auckland Hospital to the stage.

- On a beautiful Christchurch evening, it snowed in Hagley Park. As the cast performed Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow, a helicopter flew 6,000 ft over the park sprinkling potato flakes, creating the magical effect of falling snow.

- Vintage biplanes dancing to the music above the crowd during Snoopy’s Christmas.

- Headliners have included Sir Howard Morrison, Sir John Rowles, Neil Finn, Tim Finn, Sir Dave Dobbyn, Zed, Elemeno P, Broods, Guy Sebastian, Beth Hart, Midnight Youth, Hollie Smith, Anika Moa, Ladi6, Tami Neilson, The Koi Boys, Stan Walker, L.A.B, Kaylee Bell and many, many more.

- Each year many hundreds of kilos of fireworks and special effects are used for the spectacular fireworks finale at the end of each show.

- Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park is Coca-Cola’s gift to New Zealand, bringing family, friends and communities together at a special time of the year.

This year’s highlights

- An absolute Christmas cracker of a show with a mix of Christmas songs, crowd favourites and current hits.

- Talent packed lineup of guest performers - powerhouse performer Georgia Lines, Persian-Kiwi rapper CHAII, DJ double-act Sweet Mix Kids, and hip-hop legend Che Fu.

- Coke Studio Megamix – a spectacular live choreographed performance of the 2024 Coke Studio hit Can’t Get You Off My Mind, remixed into a bespoke medley, featuring four of the biggest DJ club party hits enhanced by LED screens, on stage pyro and lighting effects.

- Magical lighting of the Mercury Christmas tree, New Zealand’s biggest upcycled Christmas tree, over 20m high and hung with festoons of programmable LED lighting presenting a bespoke synchronised lightshow.

- Coke Food Fest returns with an even bigger selection of artisan food trucks offering a wide variety of delicious food and refreshments.

Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park will be held in Christchurch on Saturday 30 November at North Hagley Park and at the Auckland Domain on Saturday 14 December.

For everything you need to know about the nation’s biggest free Christmas musical celebration go to www.christmasinthepark.coke.co.nz/christmas-in-the-park

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