Stan leads Christmas in Park
Move over Frankie Stevens, the Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park has a new superstar — Stan Walker has just been named as this year’s headliner.
Producers of the gig, a staple in the festive season for decades, have just announced this year’s lineup, headed by Walker.
It will cap a stunning year for the Black Box hitmaker, who has returned to music — and more importantly touring — after his now much-publicised health issues which saw him have his stomach removed to battle a rare cancer-causing gene mutation which runs in his family.
Walker has been back on the road since his recovery and will host the NZ Music Awards on Thursday, before moving on to Christmas in the Park in Christchurch and Auckland in the coming weeks.
He’ll be joined by a star-studded cast including Lavina Williams, Vince Harder, Marley Sola, Tom Batchelor, Ella Monnery, Nyree Huyser and Mikey Havoc.
And in turn, they’ll be joined by a star trio of backing vocalists; Anna Grahame, Paul Fagamalo and Iri Aumatangi.
As well, the usual array of local artists, dance troupes and more will take the stage at the popular free Christmas concerts which will be held in Christchurch’s Hagley Park on November 24 and in the Auckland Domain on December 8.
Since 1994, Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park has raised millions of dollars for New Zealand charities. Proceeds from this year’s concerts will again go towards Youthline, which helps support and develop more than 50,000 young people every year.