Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park

For the 13th year over 200,000 people will pack into the Auckland Domain for one of the biggest outdoor parties in the world, Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park. This year’s concert will take place on Saturday 9 December and promises all the magic and music, the singing and dancing, fireworks and fabulous non-stop entertainment that brings family and friends together year after year, cheering for more!

More FM’s Jeremy Corbett and TV3’s Jeanette Thomas will host a stellar cast of stars from the stage, screen and sports field, as well as exciting new talent discovered in a nationwide search held earlier this year, for a night of carols, rock, disco, Kiwi classics, dancing and so much more.

Our favourite stars return to the spotlight, New Zealand’s darling diva Tina Cross and the godfather of Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park, New Zealand Idol judge Frankie Stevens. Four wonderful Westies – Robyn Malcolm, Siobhan Marshall, Antonia Prebble and Claire Chitham combine to make the Outrageous Fortune quartet and three rugby greats, Eroni Clarke, Glen Osborne and Kevin Nepia team up to perform a Christmas classic.

Watch out for our newest rising stars who’ll bring their magic to the stage; ten year old Angela Steele, a finalist in the 2006 UK song-writing competition will be performing her own song ‘Alphabet Rock’. And one of Santa’s dancers this year is of the four-legged variety…a surprise that will have to wait till the night!

Among the many highlights the Auckland audience can look forward to are TV3’s long-time favourite weather presenter Toni Marsh as Mrs Claus, the king of ballroom and new face of Outrageous Fortune, Shane Cortese will head up the Snoopy Trio which includes Sticky TV’s Drew Neemia. Popular entertainer Russell Harrison will deliver a slice of heaven to the crowd; international champions the dazzling All Star Cheerleaders will shake their groove thing; and on-fire band of the moment Spacifix will bring their unique brand of reggae/hip-hop/funk fusion to the party.

TV3’s Campbell Live reporter Jaquie Brown will be ‘on the blanket’ anchoring the spectacular broadcast and bringing her own brand of humour to the show.

Turanga Merito and Kirsten Te Rito, both fresh from Disney’s sensational stage show, “The Lion King” in Australia and China, have both come home for a kiwi Christmas, and to sing at Coca-Cola Christmas In The Park. Turanga’s singing career took off when he auditioned for Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park three years ago: his first professional gig. Since then he has played the lead role of Simba in “The Lion King”, and been accepted into a prestigious musical theatre school in New York.

For the sixth year running, proceeds from Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park will benefit Youthline so concert goers are encouraged to bring a gold coin for a donation. Youthline collectors will also be raising funds by selling light sticks and Santa hats.