Christmas cheer officially arrives in Bluff on Sunday (8 December) when the town’s annual Santa Parade and Christmas In The Bluff Gala Day takes place.

Both events get bigger and better year on year and this year both look the best yet.

The Santa Parade, organised by Bluff Promotions, starts the festivities and features Bluff’s Town Crier, classic and vintage cars including a 1937 Rolls Royce, marching bands, walkers, a miniature fire engine, bikes, motorbikes, stormtroopers, horses, the Fire Brigade and St John, marching teams, medieval knights, Steve-O The Stag, Bluff schools and kindy, St John Youth and plenty more, including of course Santa who will once again arrive on the Bluff Coastguard boat.

The parade begins at 1pm moving down Gore Street (SH1) to Palmer Street and Barrow Street before the focus shifts to the Gala Day activities at the Oyster Festival site. Entry is from the Barrow Street gate and is completely free. The parade will be streamed live on What's On Invers Facebook page, thanks to Awarua Synergy

Take your pick of activity with plenty of free stuff for the children with games, rides and entertainment plus of course Santa in his Santa Grotto. Elsewhere around the venue there are crafts, plentiful food options, live music and more. This year Your Corps will be present with a social video gaming experience with games such as Minecraft and Fortnite plus competitions and prizes in the Bluff St John Hall which is easily accessible from the Oyster Festival site. While the activities are ideal for 8 to 15-year olds, it is also a great opportunity for parents to play the games with their children and share their kids pastimes.

It is always a highly popular day and it is a great opportunity for families to welcome the festive season together.

The parade is supported by Splash Palace and Chipmunks while Talleys and Sanfords support the Gala Day along with the Bluff Rugby Club.

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