Tauranga city centre will be alive with colour and vibrancy at this free self-guided light trail which kicks off on Friday evening, September 20 and runs until October 6.

The light trail includes:

• Eight light installations by renowned light artist Angus Muir, which have never been seen in Tauranga before.
• Eight city centre shop front windows lit-up to highlight the Reimagine Tauranga exhibition initiated by New Zealand artist Sara Hughes. Each window has a different theme and includes artwork by local school children who have been inspired by objects that relate to beach culture from the Tauranga Museum Collection.
• Four larger-than-life origami ‘Paper Pals’ lit-up in shop front windows.
• Some of our much-loved permanent lighting features at Tunks Reserve, Wharf Street and Masonic Park.

Lights will be on between 5.00pm – 10.30pm every evening. Remember daylight savings and school holidays start halfway through, so if you’ve got little ones, you can see the trail in all its glory earlier in the first week.

Head along on Saturday evenings to experience some additional glowing activations, and why not make it an extra special night and enjoy a treat at one of our local restaurants before you start the trail?

Saturday 21 September

• Free neon face painting and ‘Have a Glow Circus’ with Circus in a Flash in Red Square
• Free photobooth with The Photobooth Lady in Red Square, thanks to Mercury
• Two roving performers in the city centre

Saturday 28 September

• Free neon face painting and ‘Have a Glow Circus’ with Circus in a Flash in Red Square
• Free photo’s with The Photobooth Lady in Red Square, thanks to Mercury
• Two roving Flame Faeries in the city centre

Saturday 5 October

• Free neon face painting and ‘Have a Glow Circus’ with Circus in a Flash in Red Square
• Free photobooth with The Photobooth Lady in Red Square, thanks to Mercury

Join the Facebook event to stay up to date with all Lights on Tauranga information.

Please note: Due to some unpredictable weather we have had to remove light installation number 17 from the trail due to safety concerns. There is still a lot of glowing magic to enjoy so make sure you come and check it out!

Trail map

We suggest parking in the Spring Street parking building to begin the trail at number ‘1’. The self-guided trail can however be viewed in any order you like. The parking buildings are free from 5pm every weekday and free all weekend. See other parking options below.

You can download the trail map here. Printed copies of the map are available at Tauranga Library, or Tauranga isite Visitor Information Centre during opening hours.

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library
21 Devonport Road
Monday to Friday:
9.30am - 5.00pm
Saturday and Sunday:
9.30am - 4.00pm

Tauranga isite Visitor Information Centre
1 Devonport Road
Monday to Friday:
9.00am - 5.00pm

Parking

Parking is free in the city centre after 5pm on weekdays and free all weekend. We suggest parking in the Spring Street parking building and beginning the trail from there. Alternatively, you could start the trail from the Elizabeth Street parking building.

Other parking options include Dive Crescent car park, Devonport Road car park, or on-street parking. Find out more about city centre parking here: https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/living/travel/parking/where-to-park

Bike parking

If you are biking in, there is free bike parking at the Bikebox shelters located on the Strand opposite Hamilton Street and at 1 Devonport Road near Red Square. Each bike shelter provides weather protection for 10 bikes/scooters and are monitored by CCTV cameras.

Mobility parking

Mobility parks are located in all the parking buildings and on street. For more mobility parking options, check out the TCC website: https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/living/travel/parking/mobility-parking

What to bring

• Your kids, friends, whānau, neighbours… whoever you like!
• Water bottle
• BYO snacks for the trail or make a night of it and enjoy a meal or treat at one of the shops along the way
• Comfortable walking shoes and a warm layer to keep cosy

Toilets

Public toilets are available in the Spring Street parking building (Level 1) – access via Grey Street, OR the Elizabeth Street parking building (Level 1) – access via the walkway on Elizabeth Street.

Contact number

Regular checks will be made on the light trail to ensure a spectacular experience for everyone. While we do our best to make sure all lights are on between 5.00pm - 10.30pm, like anything there can be unforeseen hiccups along the way. If you do notice any of the lights are out, please contact us on the number below so we can get any issue fixed as soon as possible.

Tauranga City Council: 07 577 7000