New faces and crowd favourites to star at Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park

This year’s Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park auditions have uncovered exciting new Kiwi talent, with standout performers from all over Auckland set to take the stage at the Auckland Domain on Saturday 12 December.

Tribe of Ope, the sensational South Auckland sibling group renowned for their rich vocal harmonies and viral acoustic covers, will bring their soulful sound to this year’s show. The talented musical siblings, named after their father Ope, are set to captivate the crowd with their signature blend of acoustic instruments and vocal arrangements.

West Auckland youth worker and powerhouse recording artist and singer Ellaphon Tauariki’s audition made a big impression on the show producers. His vocal prowess earnt Elle national and international acclaim, including winning the Tāne division on Whakaata Māori’s 5 Minutes of Fame and delivering a show-stopping, four-chair-turning blind audition on The Voice Australia.

Central Auckland soul-pop singer and songwriter 19-year-old Henri Woodley makes his debut at the Auckland show. Singing since childhood and performing professionally for just three years, Henri is active in Auckland’s live music scene, while developing original music and headlining his debut show.

When Elijah Taula from Auckland’s North Shore auditioned for Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park last year, he never imagined he’d be donning the big red suit for a starring role in the Christchurch and Auckland shows this year.  An English teacher at Kings Way School in Silverdale, Elijah brings performance experience from the local live music scene, international cruise ships and most recently, as backing vocalist for multi-platinum artist Stan Walker.

The new generation of performers will join a talent-packed lineup of some of New Zealand’s most popular entertainers including Ella Monnery, Dillon Rhodes, Nate Peseta, Lavina Williams, Verity, Nyree Huyser, Jaya and many more. They’ll be joined by the six-member Coca-Cola All Star Vocals, a ten-piece band, Nga Puna O Waiorea Kapa Haka, together with over 50 dancers from Freshmans Dance Crew, Studio 246, Auckland Academy of Dance and Red Alert.

Joining the lineup will be one of Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park’s most familiar faces, popular radio and TV personality Simon Barnett, who will MC the event with More FM co-host Lana Searle. Barnett MC’d the very first event in 1994 and has since hosted the Christchurch show more than 20 times.

The official charity of Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park is Kindness Collective. A nationwide charity delivering everyday essentials and Christmas Joy, through food and toys, to families experiencing hardship. Funds raised through this year’s events will help Santa reach more Kiwi families this Christmas.

Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park will be held at the Auckland Domain on Saturday 12 December 2026, starting at 7.30 pm. For everything you need to know go about the nation’s favourite free Christmas party go here.

Photo: From left, Tribe of Ope, Ellaphon Tauariki and Jaya will perform at Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park at the Auckland Domain.