Saturday 5 December 2026 | 11AM–12PM
Downtown Te Puke
We’re excited to once again bring the Seeka Te Puke Christmas Float Parade to the streets of Te Puke!
Gather your school, business, community group, club or organisation, get creative and join us as we celebrate Christmas together.
2026 Theme: CHRISTMAS
Christmas means something different to everyone – and this year, we want to see Christmas your way!
Traditional, tropical, Kiwi, cultural, colourful, quirky or completely original – how you interpret the theme is up to you.
Bonus points for sustainable, non-littering decorations.
Parade Prizes
AFFCO Rangiuru – Community Organisations
1st: $400 | 2nd: $200 | 3rd: $100 | Highly Commended: $25
Zespri International – Business & Industry (Includes daycares)
1st: $400 | 2nd: $200 | 3rd: $100 | Highly Commended: $25
Towbar Guy – Education (Schools)
1st: $400 | 2nd: $200 | 3rd: $100 | Highly Commended: $25
DMS Progrowers – Supreme Theme Prize
$750 EPIC Dollars + the Te Puke Jewellers Trophy
All prizes are awarded in EPIC Dollars, supporting local businesses that support EPIC Te Puke, our events and our community.
How to Register
- Select your parade category.
- Complete the registration form.
- Attend the compulsory Health & Safety Briefing.
Please read the following information carefully. It helps us make parade day enjoyable, organised and, most importantly, safe for everyone involved.
Parade Rules & Conditions
1. Santa
There is only one official Santa float, organised by EPIC Te Puke. More than one Santa can be confusing for our younger parade-goers, so please do not include Santa on your float.
2. Parade Assembly
All floats and bands assemble behind the Te Puke War Memorial Hall complex, entering from the Super Liquor end from 7AM onwards.
Parade Marshals wearing high-vis vests will allocate you a parade number. Please display this number prominently at the front of your float.
Floats: Must arrive no later than 10–10.15AM. Children will begin arriving from approximately 10.30AM.
Individual vehicles: Please convene at the front of KFC no later than 10.30AM.
Bringing children? We recommend bringing children closer to 10.30AM, as it can be a long wait before the parade begins. Please ensure children have water and sunscreen and are closely supervised around large floats and vehicles. Public toilets are available.
Road closure: The road will close from 10.30AM. Vehicles parked within the closed area will need to remain there until the road reopens following the parade.
3. Parade Start
Floats will gradually be directed to the start line between KFC and Nordic Mobility.
The parade starts at 11AM sharp and completes two circuits of town.
All parade vehicles must travel at a steady walking pace of approximately 5km/h, maintaining a safe and consistent distance from the float or vehicle ahead.
4. Support Vehicles
Support vehicles are not permitted within the parade marshalling area due to congestion and limited space.
Parking is available in the Commerce Lane car park, which is a short walk from the assembly area.
5. Float Walkers
All floats must have a minimum of two walkers on each side of the float to help maintain a safe distance between the float and spectators.
Treats and sweets must not be thrown from floats, and spectators must not be encouraged to approach moving floats.
6. Riding on Floats & Animals
No legs may dangle from the back or sides of any float.
Animals must not be tethered to floats where they could become frightened or attempt to jump off. If you are considering including animals in your entry, please contact the organiser beforehand to discuss your plans.
7. Throwing Items
No missiles or objects of any kind – including water, balls or other items – may be thrown from floats.
Any entry observed breaching this requirement may forfeit its eligibility for a prize.
8. Prizegiving
Prizegiving will take place on the stage inside the Te Puke Memorial Hall following the parade, once the judges have completed their deliberations.
We encourage all entrants to come along and celebrate the fantastic floats, creativity and Christmas spirit on display!
9. Keep Te Puke Tidy
Entrants are responsible for ensuring decorations and other materials do not fall from their floats.
Please help us keep Te Puke looking great by collecting any litter from your entry following the parade.
10. Entry Approval
All entries are accepted at the discretion of EPIC Te Puke.
Please take extra care when leaving the parade assembly area after the event and watch carefully for children and pedestrians.
Compulsory Health & Safety Briefing
Thursday 3 December 2026 6pm
Te Puke War Memorial Hall Boardroom
All parade entrants must have a representative attend the Health & Safety Briefing.
Important parade-day procedures, marshalling information and safety requirements will be covered at this briefing.
Do you know a special child deserving of a magical ride with Santa?
Each year, we look for a special young person from our community to experience the magic of riding with Santa in the Te Puke Christmas Float Parade.
More information about nominations will be available closer to the parade.
A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
A huge thank you to Seeka, our naming-rights sponsor, and to our generous prize and event sponsors who help make the Te Puke Christmas Float Parade possible.
We couldn’t bring this much-loved community event to life without your support.