Christmas is creeping around the corner and the countdown has well and truly started.

Today at 4pm, the eagerly awaited annual Tropical Christmas Santa Parade will start from Constitution Park and proceed through town, finishing up at the CITC main store.

Participating floats and organisations in the Santa Parade this year include the Arorangi Brass Band drummers, Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade, Autism Cook Islands, ANZ, BCI, BSP with Porky Pig, Island Craft Super Heroes, Akauka Dance Troupe, Strong Mums, and CITC who will also provide Santa’s Sleigh.

Mr and Mrs Santa, Ngametua Mamanu and his wife Mānia Clarke-Mamanu, will be available for photo sessions at the store’s car park area.

And for those who don’t have time to purchase Christmas gifts during the usual working hours, the CITC main store will stay open for late night shoppers until 6.30pm tonight.

The Tropical Christmas Committee have a range of activities for the rest of this week and the next, and stores have actively come out to participate in sharing the joy and magic of Christmas. 

Tomorrow, IDCK will feature specials as advertised on the Tropical Christmas in Raro Facebook page and on Saturday, the Santa and Mrs Claus’ will make their final appearance at the Punanga Nui Market and supporting businesses. They will visit CIPS Electronics, Fave Designs, Vonnia’s Warehouse, The Computer Man, The Furniture Centre and IDCK.

On Monday, December 20, the town centre will light up with bright Christmas lights, compliments of Te Aponga Uira.

On Tuesday, December 21, Vonnia’s will feature a specials day with the final judging of their Christmas Colouring Competition, as well as The Furniture Centre specials.

The final business special day will be held on Wednesday, December 22 at The Computer Man, and later that night the annual Rotaract Christmas will be held at the National Auditorium. 

Tropical Christmas in Raro is made up of a committee of several Rarotonga merchants who in 2013 came together to find a way to put the “island spirit” back into Christmas, bring joy to the faces of the children and light up the island for the special time of the year.

The Christmas Club organises activities and events throughout December to make Christmas a fun and happy time for all children; this is a non-profit group and relies on the generous support and donations from community, businesses and sponsors.