Trust Tairāwhiti planned to hold the event as an alternative to the Christmas Parade, while the Santa's Grotto at Treble Court has been a family favourite for the last eight years.
Kirhimete in the Park was scheduled to be held on 5 December.
Trust Tairāwhiti events advisor Lana Davy said while the decision was not made lightly, the health and safety of our communities was paramount.
"Given that the Tairāwhiti region is still at Alert Level 2 and with the recent detection of COVID-19 in the wastewater in Gisborne, it's too risky for us to proceed with these public events at this time.
"Large-scale, non-ticketed events in parks or reserves, like we had intended for Kirimihete in the Park, unfortunately cannot be held safely under current restrictions," she said.
Vendors and other service providers engaged to work on both events have been notified.
The Trust will continue to work with a regional coordination group to support local vaccination efforts, with the target of hitting 90 percent rate before Christmas.
PublishDate: 9 November 2021