Tauranga's longstanding community Christmas concert, A Night Before Christmas, is making its triumphant return this year after two years of cancellations from Covid-19.

Held in the beautiful park-like fields of Bethlehem College, the event will ring in the festive season on Saturday, December 17.

With the event last taking place in 2019, the much-anticipated return will be a large-scale celebration for the community to finally come together again and kick off the Christmas holidays on a high.

The event will once again serve up a fantastic lineup of music, dance, Kapa Haka and a spectacular fireworks display. Acts have just been announced, and include past favourites, Late 80's Mercedes, as well as local singer-songwriter, Georgia Lines, who is currently flying high in the charts. The young, up-and-coming band, Albert Street, who were the 2020 Waikato regional Smokefreerockquest winners, will also perform, as well as local dance studio, KJ Studios, Kapa Haka groups, TYRA and Ayla Wesley. The hugely popular Christmas Carols segment will once again be provided by the Bethlehem Baptist Church band.

A Night Before Christmas will continue its legacy of being a free community concert for thousands of families in the region. Attendees will need to book their free tickets online in advance, and can show their ticket on their phone or printed out at entry.

The free tickets are available now, by visiting www.anbc.co.nz

Event organisers say attendees should be quick to secure their free tickets, as gauging by crowds at past events, all available spaces will be snapped up early.