The Pakuranga heritage site opened after dark on Saturday for light installations, live music and comedy
The Howick Historical Village opened after dark on Saturday for the return of its Winter Lights Festival.
Light installations were set through the historic buildings and heritage gardens, which are normally shut by that hour.
The village is usually open Tuesday to Sunday, closed Monday, with last admission at 3pm.
The festival ran from 5pm to 9pm at the village at 75 Bells Road, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga.
The village closed to daytime visitors from 10am to 5pm so the installations could be put in place.
The village said this year’s event took in illuminated spaces that had not been lit before.
Musical comedy act Captain Festus McBoyle opened the entertainment, followed by rhythm and blues band The Flaming Mudcats.
Food vendors sold mulled wine, hot spiced apple juice, beer and gelato, and the village sweet shop opened for the evening selling old-fashioned treats.
The festival was sponsored by The Fairy Light Shop.
The installations are staying up for a further week.
The village will open for one final evening from 5pm to 8pm on Saturday 27 June before the lights come down.
The village runs themed live days roughly once a month, and its next event is Matariki at the Village, a school holiday programme from 4 July.
The village is owned and run by the Howick and Districts Historical Society.
