A big line-up of local entertainment is planned for Light up the Night, Council's Christmas festival on 29 November.

There'll be live performances from the St Augustine Filipino Catholic Choir, the Fijian Choir, Life Dance Academy, Sam McArthur, the Decibells, Kopy Kat and Murran Carter Buller - Santa will be on stage from 9pm.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Hokonui breakfast radio host Luke Howden, who will also count down to the lighting of the Christmas tree in Baring Square East at 9.15pm. The tree will be lit by the Mayor and the winner of a radio competition.

Santa and his elves will be roaming amongst the crowd from 6pm and posing for photos, or you can line up for free face painting and take your own in the iHeart radio photobooth.

The food court will be open from 5pm with plenty of tasty treats from vendors including Purple Dragon, Tanos Gelato and the Toasty Shack.

The event is free and people are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or a chair and find a nice spot on the grass to enjoy the evening's entertainment.

The giant six-metre Christmas tree is being assembled next week, with the help of EA Networks. There are about 1600 baubles that will glow in the dark.

For more, go to lightupthenight.co.nz