Light up Winter CROMWELL
SATURDAY 1 AUGUST 2026
ANDERSON PARK ROSE GARDEN
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF WINTER MAGIC IN CROMWELL
​​​​​✨ LANTERNS ARE NOW SOLD OUT ✨
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​Missed out on a lantern? You’ll still be part of the magic! Join us in the Spectator Zone, soak up the atmosphere, and watch as hundreds of glowing lanterns light up the winter sky.
Step into a whimsical woodland as Anderson Park Rose Garden transforms into a glowing world of wonder. Wander beneath twinkling lights, explore tempting street food lanes, and enjoy an unforgettable evening filled with live entertainment, family fun, and magical moments.
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The favourites are back for 2026, including the much-loved Thomas the Train ride, fiery flame dancers, enchanting illuminated characters, and the return of the popular Light Up Your Hat competition. Get creative and join the dazzling Light Up Your Hat Parade on stage as we celebrate the brightest creations in the crowd.
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Dress warm, bring your family and friends, and prepare to be part of Cromwell’s biggest winter celebration.
As the evening builds, gather for the breathtaking Mass Lantern Release, a truly unforgettable shared moment.
To mark our 10th anniversary celebration, the lantern release will be followed by a spectacular laser show, a fitting finale to a decade of winter wonder.
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Join us as Cromwell celebrates ten years of winter magic and shines brighter than ever.
Access to the event is by voluntary gold coin entry only.
Be mesmerised by the sight of hundreds of lanterns silently drifting up into the night sky, where the heart of winter beats with the warmth of community and the magic of light. The spectacular lantern release is the finale event of the night and not to be missed.
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Our lanterns are flame retardant, completely biodegradable, and free from any wire that could harm wildlife.
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Please note that only official Light Up Winter lanterns purchased through this website will be permitted at the event. Due to strict health and safety compliance requirements, external or non-approved lanterns cannot be used.
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GET CREATIVE
Light up your hat
Proudly sponsored by the local team at Barrett Homes,
the iconic Light Up Your Hat Competition is a fun and creative celebration that invites participants of all ages to design and decorate hats with lights, showcasing their imagination, personality and unique style.
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Now celebrating 10 years of illuminated hat madness, this much-loved community tradition brings people together through creativity, colour and wearable art, with the on-stage parade a true crowd favourite.
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Local businesses are encouraged to enter the Corporate Category, providing a fantastic opportunity to rally the team, unleash some creative flair and enjoy a little friendly competition. It's all about teamwork, community spirit, local pride and, of course, a touch of dazzling sparkle.
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In addition to the generous support from the local Barrett Homes team, who are contributing both time and funding to the overall delivery of the event and providing fabulous prize hampers, the event also reflects strong community spirit through further local support, while Sanga’s Pies is backing the Corporate Category with a delicious team pie shout, helping make this much-loved event even more rewarding for participants. Prize T&Cs apply.
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Join the fun, light up your hat, and take your place in one of the most entertaining highlights of the evening. ​
Light up your letterbox
As we count down to the 10th Light Up Winter Cromwell, we are inviting the community to help make Cromwell & Districts* the brightest address in New Zealand.
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Introducing the new Light Up Your Letterbox competition — a fun, creative way to bring colour, light and imagination to streets across the district. Round up the family, encourage your neighbours to join in, and help turn your street into a dazzling winter display.
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Proudly sponsored by Aurora Energy and hosted via the CentralApp, this exciting new competition celebrates creativity, community spirit and the countdown to our 10th anniversary event.
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There are fantastic local prizes up for grabs, including a $500 Freshchoice Cromwell voucher for first place, a $250 Tarras Village Store voucher for second place, and a $150 Bannockburn Hotel voucher for third place. Prize T&C's apply.
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Register your letterbox via the CentralApp by clicking here, and help make this winter our brightest yet.
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*Please note accepted entries from residents living in the Cromwell ward encompassing both urban and rural communities. This includes the main urban centre of Cromwell, and settlements of Bannockburn, Pisa Moorings, Lowburn, Queensberry and Tarras.
LIVE MUSIC
The stage will be buzzing with energetic performances from talented local youth acts, bringing plenty of rhythm, energy, and feel-good tunes to get everyone moving and in the groove.
ROVING PERFORMERS
Glowing fairies, towering stilt walkers and flame dancers will mesmerise the crowds whilst the roving magical clown guarantees to delight visitors of all ages.
THOMAS THE TRAIN
A favourite with kids of all ages, hop on board Thomas the Train for a fun-filled ride along the Greenway Express Lane, a little adventure the whole family will enjoy.
FACE PAINTING
Add a little sparkle to your evening and shine bright with fun, festival-inspired face painting.