CANTERBURY’S RISING STARS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT COCA-COLA CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK

Some of Canterbury’s most exciting performers will take centre stage when Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park returns to Christchurch’s Hagley Park on Saturday 28 November.
 

The show’s nationwide talent search uncovered a strong line-up of local performers, with artists from across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri joining this year’s cast.
 

Among them is Lyttelton’s Cleo Fitzgerald, who recently won the NZCMA Entertainer of the Year title. She also won the 2025 Junior Gold Guitar and went on to represent New Zealand at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Cleo recently headlined her own Cleo & Co show at the Lyttelton Arts Festival and, for the first time, will perform at both the Christchurch and Auckland Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park shows this year.
 

Described as “destined for stardom” is Shirley’s Jesse Clifford, a Year 10 student at St Andrew’s College. Jesse joins the show after starring in productions of Oliver Jr., The Sound of Music and Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical; he plays tenor saxophone and performs in the St Andrew’s College choir which recently won Silver at The Big Sing finale.
 

Cleo and Jesse will be joined by rising country music talent Briar Sharp, a Year 11 student at St Margarets College, who won the overall 2024 Junior Gold Guitar, was named 2026 Junior Country Music Entertainer of the Year for the second consecutive year, and spent two weeks in Nashville recording an album, due for release late November.
 

Matt Ioane, from Millhaven, comes to the show fresh from performing in Showbiz Christchurch’s Jersey Boys and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal.
 

Other local performers include Emma Moore, Molly Pawson, Olivia Eady and Bazi Baker and together they’ll join the wider ensemble cast for a huge night of world class, home-grown entertainment in front of a massive live audience at Hagley Park.
 

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 Hagley Park, Christchurch on Saturday 28 November, starting at 7.30pm.

For more information about Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park go to www.coca-cola.com/nz/en/offerings/christmas-in-the-park

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For interviews with any of the performers, photos, videos or further information, please contact Deborah Delaney – deborah@dgaltd.co.nz or +6421 480 961

Below: Cleo Fitgerald, Jesse Clifford, Matt Ioane, Briar Sharp will be performing at Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park in Christchurch

About Coca‑Cola in New Zealand  

The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries. Our portfolio in New Zealand includes Coca‑Cola, Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar, Fanta, Sprite, MOST Organic Juice, Keri, Kiwi Blue and POWERADE and more. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, bringing economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more about Coca‑Cola in New Zealand www.coca-cola.com/nz/