Christmas tree lighting cancelled

A festival planned around Hamilton’s giant Christmas tree has been cancelled due to bad weather. The Hamilton Christmas Tree Lighting Festival was due to happen in Garden Place on Saturday evening. But the storm passing through the Waikato changed things, with ‘‘the elves’’ announcing the cancellation yesterday afternoon. ‘‘Santa and his elves have some jolly ideas to celebrate the Hamilton tree lighting so keep an eye on our Facebook page,’’ a statement said. The Hamilton Christmas Charitable Trust also thanked everyone who had been involved this year.