The Hamilton Gardens are alive for the next two weeks with the city's annual gardens arts festival.
The event will showcase 150 performances using 20 venues in the gardens.
Performers will include the Topp Twins, harpist Robin Ward and comedian Dave Wiggins. In addition, the Opera Unleashed Company will perform The Juiciest Moments of Opera from Mozart to Gershwin
The festival officially opens on Friday night with a free concert on the Rhododendron Lawn.
A prestigious arts award is held in conjunction with the festival. It's the $20,000 New Zealand Painting and Printmaking award.
Co-ordinator Janet Knighton says 247 entries have been whittled down to just over 50, that will be judged and exhibited.
The festival ends on 4 March.
