Saturday, December 21

Gisborne parkrun. A 5km run/walk. Meet: Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club, 280 Grey St, 7.45am. See www.parkrun.co.nz/gisborne/

Hansen and Tomlinson Open: Christmas Hams Tournament. Come along for a game of golf; Gross, Nett and Stableford. Patutahi Golf Club, 175 Wharekopae Rd, 8am-7pm, $25 entry fee incl twos and a meal. Tee off times: 8am & midday. Details: George ph 027 370 9869 or 862 7789.

Gisborne Basketball Association Basketball Clinic (to Dec 22). A two-day clinic for ages 10/over to learn new basketball skills and moves. Ilminster Intermediate, 70 De Lautour Rd, 9am-3.30pm, ages 10-14; 9am to 12pm, 15/over; 12.30-2.30pm, $30/2-days. Register: Email gba@hotmail.com

Christmas in the City: Santa's Grotto (to Dec 24). A magical festive experience for children, or drop off a gift for less fortunate kids. Treble Court, opposite Robert Harris Cafe, 10am-2pm.

Tairawhiti Menzshed. Work in a fully equipped woodwork or carpentry workspace. Tairawhiti Menzshed, cnr Parkinson & Innes St, 9am-3pm. Details: Ph/txt James 022 465 0396.

Christmas Party: Gisborne Concert Band. Come along with the whanau and be entertained by the Gisborne Concert Band. Wrights Vineyard & Winery, 1093 Wharerata Rd, 11am-4pm, free entry. Gourmet pizzas, beverages, coffee and sweet treats available. Book to secure a table: Ph 027 656 8222 or geoff@wrightswines.co.nz

Tennis for players of all skill levels. Ormond Tennis Club, Hill Rd, Ormond, 2-4pm, ph 862 5741 or 862 5856.

BK Super Saloon Series, Ministock 100 and Ramp Race Derby. Come along for a great night of speedway racing and a visit from Santa. Eastland Group Raceway, 357 Awapuni Rd, gates open 5pm, racing 6pm. Gate sale tickets, subject to change: $50Fam (2A+3C), $20A, $10Snr, $8 5-15s, u/5s free.

Carols on the Lawn. Leave your worries behind, bring a blanket to sit on and enjoy the Christmas festivities. Mangapapa Church, 71 Atkinson St, 8.15pm, free.

The Ashes. Gisborne-based covers band with some rock tunes. Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St, 9pm, $5.

Sunday, December 22

Gisborne Runners and Walkers Club. 1.5 hour walk/run, 8am. For meeting place; email gisbornerunnersandwalkers@gmail.com

Christmas in the City: Santa's Grotto, 10am-2pm. See Dec 21.

Lions Express Train Rides. Take the kids for a train ride around the playground and lake. Start: near Gisborne Wainui Lions Junior Cycle Park, Centennial Marine Dr, 11am-3pm, $2.

Historic MV Takitimu Cruise. Enjoy the sights of Poverty Bay from a fully-restored historic tug. Sailing from Pier 1, Inner Harbour (gate outside Tatapouri SFC), weather permitting, 2pm. Pay at the gate: $20A, $10u/12s, limit 25. Details: Brian ph 027 474 9360.

Polo: Kirkpatrick Cup. Teams will be competing for the cup in a thrilling afternoon match. Poverty Bay Polo Club, 130 Bushmere Rd, Matawhero, 3-7pm, free entry.

Christmas Carols. Bring the whanau, a picnic blanket or cushions and get into the swing of Christmas. Gisborne Salvation Army Hall, 389 Gladstone Rd, 6.30-8.30pm.

Monday, December 23

Christmas in the City: Santa's Grotto, 10am-2pm. See Dec 21.

Christmas Special Activity. Jolly activities for ages 2-13; fun Christmas stories and create crafts to take home. HB Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St, 10.30-12.30pm, free. An adult must accompany tamariki.

Mahjong Club. Enjoy a friendly fellowship. Gisborne Town & Country Women's Club, 42 Emily St, 1pm, ph 281 0187.

Eastland Toastmasters. For confidence in public speaking. A friendly club which welcomes all visitors. Arohaina, 396 Aberdeen Rd (opposite Botanical Gardens), 5.30-7pm.

Tuesday, December 24

Tairawhiti Menzshed, 9am-3pm. See Dec 21.

Gisborne Farmers' Market: Christmas Eve. Gisborne Farmers' Market: Christmas Eve. Pick up your fresh, locally grown produce to feast on during the festive season. Cnr Stout & Fitzherbert Sts, 9.30am-12.30pm. Details: gisbornefarmersmarket.co.nz

Christmas in the City: Santa's Grotto, 10am-2pm. See Dec 21.

Over 50s Men's Vets Golf. For any skill level. Poverty Bay Golf Club, cnr Awapuni & Lytton Rds, 11am. Details: ph Dave 867 4402 (opt 1), email Glenn at glennb355@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 25

Christmas Day: Gisborne parkrun. Join in for some Christmas morning cheer and a 5km run/walk. Meet: Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club, 280 Grey St, 7.45am. Kid, dog and pram-friendly.

Thursday, December 26

Casual Badminton Group. Come along for a game and to meet other players. Badminton Centre, 134 Roebuck Rd, 9.30am, $4. Details: Pascale at pascale.delos@gmail.com or eastland.association@gmail.com

Friday, December 27

Gisborne Rodeo. Come along and enjoy the family atmosphere with traditional rodeo rides and open events. Entrance: end of Birrell St (off Chalmers Rd), starts 10am, $15A, $5Ch, u/5s free. Details: Bonnie ph 021 0877 6466 or email bjfogarty55@gmail.com

Wa165 steam train trip to Muriwai. Enjoy the scenery, bring a picnic or have a cuppa on board. Leaving from the Railway Station, Grey St at 1pm, $35A, $15 u/15s, $80Fam (2A & 2Ch). Any unsold tickets from the station half an hour before departure (cash or Eftpos), Gisborne i-Site, 209 Grey St, ph 868 6139, or www.gcvr.org.nz

Teen Girls' Surf Club. Weekly sessions to Feb 7, for beginner/intermediate surfers aged 12-18 to learn from female coaches. Midway Surf Life Saving Club, Midway Beach, 3.30-5.30pm, $10/session, free for members. Register: Facebook or gisborneboardriders@gmail.com

TBone Live. Resident solo musician with reggae, rock, funk and more. 69 Central, 69 Peel St, 9pm-1am, $10 entry after 8pm. Details: Claudia ph 021 0892 7388.

Knights of the Dub Table. A high intensity show with uplifting grooves, live dubs and sassy reggae, with Ariana Henare. Dome Room, PBC, 38 Childers Rd, 9pm-midnight. Tickets: $22-$27.50, https://www.ticketfairy.com/event/knights-of-the-dub-table-or-gisborne-27dec2019/

Saturday, December 28

Awhina Fishing Club Beach Fishing Competition. A whanau-friendly day for all ages to catch the heaviest fish. Te Puka Boat Ramp to the end of Ongaruru Beach via Waiotu St, lines in water from 6am, $10/rod, 12/under $5/rod. Registration/Safety Briefing: Tokomaru Bay United Sports Club, Hate-a-rangi Domain; Dec 27: 5-7pm, or Dec 28: 5.30-7am. Forms also from Harbourview Marine, 1 Wainui Rd, Gisborne. Details ph James 06 864 5770. Weigh-in 3-4pm, prize-giving 6pm at TBUS Club. Postponement details; Radio Ngati Porou, 7.30am.

Gisborne parkrun, 7.45am. See Dec 21.

NZ Beach Tour: Gisborne Slam and Junior Joust (& Dec 29). Beach volleyball action with NZs best players, along with international teams battling for the title. Waikanae Beach, ocean end of Grey St, 9am-5pm, free for spectators.

Gisborne Woodturners' Group. Come along and work in the workshop or see what the group does. Clubrooms beside Enterprise Pool carpark, Nelson Rd, 10am-2pm. Details: Bill ph 027 450 7719 or gizzywheelers@gmail.com

Tolaga Bay Charity Beach Races. Annual event since 1876 with seven horse races and $1 betting. Kaiaua Rd, Tolaga Bay, 12.30-5pm, racing from 1pm. See Facebook for details. The event is run by volunteers, all prizes donated and proceeds go back to the local community. Enter a horse: Chris ph 021 257 1113.

Wa165 steam train trip to Muriwai, 1pm. See Dec 27.

Ormond Tennis Club, 2-4pm. See Dec 21.

Te Karaka Speed Shear. Teams of four compete for bragging rights and a chance to become a finalist. Rangatira Tavern, cnr Library & Cliff Rds, Te Karaka, 5pm, spectator; gold coin donation at door. Registration opens 4pm, $40/team of four.

Sulfate, Dick Move & The MurderChord Summer Tour. Come along for a touch of punk rock. Smash Palace Bar, 24 Banks St, 8-11pm.

Sunday, December 29

Gisborne Runners and Walkers Club, 8am start. See Dec 22.

NZ Beach Tour: Gisborne Slam and Junior Joust, 9am-5pm. Juniors from 9am, semi-finals from 10am and finals 2-3pm. See Dec 28.

Lions Express Train Rides, 11am-3pm. See Dec 22.

Rhythm and Vines Pool Party (to Dec 31). Epic poolside parties with music and a bus to R&V included. Emerald Hotel, 13 Gladstone Rd, midday-5pm. Tickets: $40+Bfee at https://www.rhythmandvines.co.nz/tickets

Historic MV Takitimu Cruise, 2pm. See Dec 22.

Rhythm and Vines Festival (to Jan 1). Farewell 2019 at NZs ultimate three-day international music festival and welcome in the first sunrise of 2020 with personalities and artists; Aaron Smith, Alison Wonderland, Dane Rumble, Disclosure, GLXY, Home Brew, Leisure, Mako Road, Openside, Peach Milk, Poi E, Steve Hansen, Vayne, Wilkinson (DJ Set) and Ziggy Alberts. Waiohika Estate Vineyard, 75 Waimata Valley Rd. Dec 29; 2pm-midnight, Dec 30; 2pm-midnight, Dec 31; 2pm-sunrise. R18. Day Pass Tickets: $125-$185+Bfee, https://www.rhythmandvines.co.nz/tickets