Here's what's going on this Christmas
We've turned the town festive
Keep an eye on local monuments for our touch of festive flair. Selfies are a must! Post your pictures to Facebook with the hashtag #hokonuichristmas (and make sure you set the post 'public' so we can give it a "like").
Go-Retail Christmas Hours and FREE Parking!
Retailers across Gore have again come together to set longer festive trading hours, including a series of late nights, to help make ticking off your Christmas list more convenient. Details below. Also take advantage of the free CBD parking each late night, every weekend through December, and the whole week into Christmas (from Monday 17 December until Monday 24 December) thanks to Gore District Council. This year it again includes the Brennan Lane carpark.
- THURS 6 DEC - 9am to 9pm.
- SAT 8 and SUN 9 DEC - 10am to 2pm (Gore Santa Parade on the Sunday, details below).
- SAT 15 and SUN 16 DEC - 10am to 2pm.
- WED 19 DEC - All day from 9am (for the Hokonui $10,000 Cash for Christmas draw!).
- SAT 22 and SUN 23 DEC - 10am to 2pm.
- MON 24 DEC - All day 9am to 5:30pm.
- CLOSED XMAS DAY TUES 25 DEC
- BOXING DAY WED 26 DEC - 10am to 4pm.
Gore Christmas Parade and Christmas in the Park - Sunday 9 December
It's the focal point of the Eastern Southland festive calendar. The Santa Parade returns to Gore's Main Street, starting 12pm. Following this, join us from 12:30pm in the Gore Gardens for Christmas in the Park. Live music, kids entertainment, food stalls and more. Take a photo with Santa, and look out for the Hokonui Fame Frame. Our own Breakfast Host Luke Howden will be the MC, with heaps of Subway prizes up for grabs. Find all you need to know here.
Ascot Park Christmas at the Races - Saturday 15 December
Hokonui is proud to support Ascot Park Xmas at the Races on SAT 15 DEC at Ascot Park Raceway. Gates open 11am, adults GA just $20. Note this event is R18. Back this year, the AWOP electronic payment wrist bands onsite to reduce wait times. Listen to Luke Howden Breakfast for your chance to win tickets.
MLT Christmas at the Theatre - Sunday 16 December
The show that stemmed from the successful annual event in Invercargill, and drew a capacity audience in its first year! Hokonui is proud to support Christmas at the Theatre, starting 2pm. Featuring headline act - the always delightful Marion Burns. Accompanied by live performances from; St Peter's College Kapa Haka Group, Jeff Rea, the Gore Police choir, Craig Wadsworth and his son Jay, Jenny + Ron Mitchell and more. Triple Shot will be the backing band. For tickets see the venue SBS St James Gore or book at iTicket. Also listen to Luke Howden Breakfast 6am-10am for your chance to win!
$10,000 Cash for Christmas Winner Announcement - Wednesday 19 December
Join us as we again transform Irk Street into a Christmas wonderland for one night only. Action from 5pm (road closed from 4pm). Come for a taste of iHeart Radio Top Paddock with JODY DIREEN, ASSEMBLY REQUIRED and 2018 GOLD GUITAR WINNER ARUN O'CONNOR on the big stage. Also a huge range of food vendors, kids entertainment with several bouncy castles and face-painting, and a chance for some last minute Christmas shopping.
Around 6:30pm; all eyes to the stage as under police supervision we make the draw, and one lucky local wins $10,000 Cash for Christmas! Note: You MUST be there on the night to win. Click here for details.
The atmosphere will be electric, and we look forward to seeing you there to change someone's life with $10,000 this Christmas.
PARKING - If driving to the event, we suggest parking in the public spaces by Gore TV and Radio on Mersey Street, or along Fairfield Street. We ask you please refrain from parking in the New World and Smiths City carparks, out of courtesy for their patrons. We will have marshals helping to patrol this.
ILT Christmas Variety Show - Friday 21 December
More than 200 performers will be involved in a wide selection of Christmas and hit songs. At ILT Stadium Southland from 6pm. The show is always a sell-out. Get in quick. Tickets $18.50 for adults, $12.50 for kids from ILT Stadium Southland.
Gore Christmas at the Races - Sunday 23 December
Hokonui is proud to support Tapanui Racing Club for their Xmas at the Races at Gore Raceway. Gates open 11am, adults GA just $20. Listen to Luke Howden Breakfast for your chance to win tickets.