Baring Square East was the place to be on Saturday night, when Ashburton’s giant Christmas tree came to life in a sparkly way.

Light up the Night is Council’s community event to usher in the Christmas and New Year season and about 7000 people came along to see the show.

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown said the square was packed. “It was great to see families sitting on blankets with their picnics, and there were lots of excited children running around.

“Everyone got into the Christmas spirit counting down to the moment when the lights in the tree were switched on, and the whole community can now enjoy them for the next four weeks or so.”

The night began about 6pm with food trucks and entertainment, and master of ceremonies Luke Howden kept the crowd enthused and introduced seven-year-olds Tanner and Marecza, who had the honour of pushing the button that lit up the tree.

Mayor Brown said the event had a really good, positive vibe.

“The crowd really got into it and we think moving back to Baring Square East worked well. It was nice to see people enjoying themselves.”

A full gallery of photos from the night can be viewed at lightupthenight.co.nz