Will you be a lucky shopper? Time to have fun shopping and partying in Upper Hutt.
Join Santa after the Upper Hutt Christmas Parade on Sunday for a Merry Movie Christmas at Expressions Whirinaki.
This year the Professionals Recreation Hall will be transformed into a movie-inspired world filled with Christmas movies, Disney characters and loads of Christmas cheer.
Visitors will be able to dress up and have their photo taken with Santa holding an Oscar, have their face painted as their favourite movie character, make some Christmas crafts and soak up the sights and sounds of the season with music and other treats.
Some of the acts include Enchanted Entertainment, who bring Disney characters to life for events so Ariel, Tinkerbell, Jake the Pirate and Elsa will be performing for the children.
The Hollywoods will perform classic Christmas carols aimed at family audiences and Soul City Church will be there doing face painting.
As part of the movie theme, old fashioned Christmas movies will be playing with free popcorn available. The whole area will be transformed with large Christmas trees into an Hollywood Christmas scene with lots of hands on activities and things to make and do.
The main attraction will be the photo with Santa, with dress-ups provided and by partnering with the Amazing Travelling Photo Booth visitors will be able to have their photo taken and then take it home with them.
Expressions director Leanne Wickham said the annual celebration was funded by Upper Hutt City Council and Pelrous Trust.
"This way the people of Upper Hutt can celebrate Christmas together after the parade, for free, in a fun and family friendly environment, making a day of it."
Residents can also have fun shopping as Upper Hutt's Lucky Christmas Shopper prize pool is back and even bigger. than ever this year.
The prize pool includes a 32" Panasonic TV, a four-person, two-room tent, beauty and hair products, fishing gear, a gingerbread house, books, art works; gift baskets, and loads of gift vouchers.
"Previous years' winners have been absolutely delighted with the selection of goods and vouchers they have won right before Christmas," council retail coordinator Sarah Garnham said. "Some winners gift their winnings to family and friends, while others head into town for a shopping spree."
Shoppers who spend $10 or more in a participating store can receive an entry form. Four lucky shoppers will be drawn on December 21, and will each receive a share of the $10,000 prize pool.
* Lucky Shopper terms and conditions, along with a list of participating stores, can be found online
Ryman Village Open Days
Friday 20 & Saturday 21 March, 10am - 2pm.
Come and experience the warmth of our Ryman village communities, we'd love to show you around.
Discover our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and explore our premium amenities.
🌉🛶 Early Birds Might Crack This One First… or Not? 🥚🧠
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Poll: Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕
Wellington’s identity is built on its cafe culture, but with costs climbing, that culture is under pressure. We’ve seen the headlines about recent closures, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with a $6+ coffee.
We all want our favourite spots to stay open, but we also have to balance our own budgets ⚖️
We want to know: How are you handling the "coffee math" in 2026? Are you still heading to your local for a chat and a caffeine fix, or has the cost of living changed your habits?
Keen to read more about "coffee math"? The Post has you covered.
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45.1% I avoid spending money on coffee
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41.7% I still indulge at my local cafe
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13.1% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
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