WBS Big Switch to kick start Greytown Festival of Christmas this Saturday 1 July

The annual Greytown Festival of Christmas returns with a flurry of excitement this July.
Snow is in the forecast for this years’ mid-winter festival, and Greytown is set to be transformed into a winter wonderland for the entire month. Locals, businesses, community groups and friends are gearing up for jam-packed programme of events, workshops, food, live music and fun, as well as a special Matariki programme.

The first major act of the 2023 festival is the “WBS Big Switch”, which kicks off from 3pm on Saturday 1 July. Head along to catch a first glimpse of the festive atmosphere, see the lighting get turned on for the first time, grab a bite to eat from the food trucks, browse the night markets, get a selfie in the “snow”, and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display at 7pm (remember to put your four-legged friends indoors from 6.58pm – 7.15pm).

In line with this year’s festival theme “Let it Snow” 3000 snowflakes have been distributed to schools and preschools throughout the region for children to decorate and bring along to hang on the Community Christmas Tree on opening night. There will also be a collection box for the Community Food Banks there, where people can donate non-perishable food items throughout the month for collection.


Other Festival highlights include workshops and crafternoons for kids and adults, a family-friendly Winter Fete at Cobblestones, Matariki Stargazing and weaving, a Cocktails and Comedy Season at The White Swan, a Fashion Through the Ages show, a Snowman Hunt, and a Woolshed Movie Night hosted by Greytown School.

Retailers will be offering special deals and prizes, and restaurants, bars and cafes will have festive food and beverages on the menu.

If you have friends visiting who would like to decorate a snowflake to hang on the tree on 1 July, they can be collected from The Offering Café here in Greytown, WBS at 125 Queen Street Masterton, or any library in Wairarapa. See the full programme here static1.squarespace.com...