Christmas finds a new home

'Christmas on Latimer' is the new home of Christmas in Christchurch and the festivities kick off on Saturday 8 December 2012.

With Christmas celebrations traditionally held in Cathedral Square, a new site was sought and the revamped Latimer Square is now where it’s all happening.

Mayor Bob Parker says, “Latimer Square itself is lovelier than it has been in many years – it’s open, accessible, inviting and very conducive to a warm community atmosphere. There’s room for people to mingle, sing, shop and celebrate, and we’re expecting a Christmas village of sorts within the heart of the city.”

The Telecom Christmas Tree returns after a successful presence in the city in 2011 in Hagley Park. Here at Christmas on Latimer the tree now has an additional feature that enables Christchurch residents to design their own light-show via www.telecomtree.co.nz. The Telecom Christmas Tree will also include a phone box where kids can chat with Father Christmas and an area beneath the tree where people can lie down and look up into the apex.

Making its Christmas debut, the popular Encraftment Market will set up shop in Latimer Square on Friday 14 December from 4pm until late for a twilight market and also on Saturday 15 December for a full day market from 10am, giving shoppers the chance to snap up some unique pressies in an intimate shopping environment.

Of course, the event is anchored by tradition: YMCA Carols by Candlelight will make Latimer Square its new home on Christmas Eve 2012, celebrating its 65th anniversary, as well as the 150th anniversary of the YMCA.

Christmas on Latimer will be flanked on either side with the beginnings of the Cardboard Cathedral on one side and a GIANT ZM Advent calendar on the other.

The GIANT ZM Advent Calendar, made of now-familiar shipping containers and housing over $50,000 worth of prizes, will open one door each day until December 24 to reveal prizes for lucky 91.3ZM listeners. Christchurch residents are encouraged to come down and witness one of the world’s largest advent calendars in action.

For more information, including a schedule of events, please visit www.ccc.govt.nz/christmasonlatimer