Fun Christmas Events in Auckland 2025

Experience the magic of Christmas with these amazing Christmas events in Auckland. With dazzling lights, festive shows and holiday fun. Christmas in Auckland transforms the city into a vibrant celebration of lights, music, and community spirit. As New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland offers a dazzling array of festive experiences, from twinkling Christmas markets to open-air concerts that engulf the city for a night. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the holidays, Auckland at Christmas is best enjoyed with friends and family soaking up the joyful atmosphere.

In this guide, I’ll highlight five must-see Auckland Christmas events that capture the magic of the season. So grab a pal and check out many of these free Christmas events in Auckland.

Auckland Christmas Lights

Christmas in Auckland is not complete without dazzling light displays. Check out this list of where to view some of the most spectacular Christmas light displays in Auckland and watch your children’s faces light up with joy,

Franklin Road, Auckland City

The Franklin Road Auckland Christmas lights are a dominant feature in Auckland at Christmas. Franklin Road is a suburban street in Ponsonby, on the outskirts of Auckland CBD. Every year between December 7th and December 24th from Franklin Road glows with dazzling lights of festive cheer. Some houses have carol singers, others give away free candy. From 7pm to 10pm you can freely visit this magnificent celebration of Christmas with your family and friends.

This annual tradition began in the early 1990’s and quickly became a community event where the residents of Franklin Road would decorate their houses with festive lights. Once starting with simple string lights, the creative residents have transformed the inner Auckland street into Santa’s grotto, featuring everything from fake snow, reindeer statues and even Santa himself.

The Franklin Road Christmas lights are free and take around 45 minutes to complete. Grab yourself dinner in Ponsonby before embarking on a magical walk through Ponsonby for one of the best things to do in Auckland at Christmas.

MOTAT Christmas Lights

the Museum of Transport and Technology is in Western Springs, next door to Auckland zoo. Every weekend in December MOTAT springs into Christmas cheer with stunning light displays, live music, carol singers and tram rides. Take yourself on a guided tour through the outdoor museum through heritage buildings adorned in a spectacular display of sparkling lights and the giant Christmas tree.

Cost: Adults are $6. Kids aged 5 to 15 are $3 each and kids under 5 are FREE.

North Shore Christmas Lights

Every year residents of the sea side suburb of Torbay put on a spectacular free display of Auckland Christmas lights. All you will need is a personal vehicle to make your way around the streets. These light displays are free of charge to view and are put on by residents, you will easily find many other houses around Auckland do the same however Torbay seems to go that extra mile to ring in the Christmas cheer each year.

Santa Parade in Auckland

Christmas in Auckland isn’t complete without spending a morning welcoming Santa into Auckland or your local suburb on a float! These Santa Parade incorperate many different community groups, live music, and free entertainment for families.

Santa Parade, Auckland City

The Farmers Santa Parade in Auckland is the largest festive Christmas parade in New Zealand, donning over 100 floats, dance routines, music and entertaining acts within the parade. The parade route covers 1.6km of Auckland city ending at Aotea Square where the after party commences for more festive family fun.

The Farmers Santa Parade takes 1 hour to complete from any point along the parade route and is held on the last Sunday of November, with a rain postponement date of the first Sunday of December. Road closures are in place between 11am and 5pm on Parade day with the parade starting promptly at 1pm. The best way to get into the city is via train, or bus if you’re coming from the north of Auckland. Under 13s travel for free but everyone over the age of 5 must have a valid AT Hop card to utilize this free service.

If you’re not sure of the parade route, a clear map can be found here. Otherwise a good visual sign is the solid blue line painted on the road, this is the line everyone must stay behind to watch the parade from a safe distance. Make sure you get into the city early to get a great view of this festive parade in Auckland at Christmas.

Santa Parade After Party

The Farmers Santa Parade Afterparty starts in Aotea square once Santa makes his entrance at 2:30pm and wraps up at 5pm. There is stage entertainment, amusement rides, food and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Other Santa Parades in Auckland

Aside from the Farmers Santa Parade, most suburbs in Auckland put on their own smaller scale santa parades with local charities and community groups in support. Check out the list below for your most local Santa Parade.

• Blockhouse Bay
• Browns Bay
• Howick
• Devonport
• Birkenhead

Christmas in the Park

Christmas in Auckland means there is plenty of free public events. Coco-Cola Christmas in the Park is New Zealand’s largest free Christmas event in Auckland, and the largest Christmas concert in New Zealand, bringing together lights, music and festive cheer for everyone to enjoy. Held in the Auckland Domain every December, Christmas in the Park draws in tens of thousands of people every year who want to ring in the Christmas spirit with a live, outdoor show.

Hosting artists like Che Fu, Georgia Lines and Persian-Kiwi rapper CHAII, Christmas in the Park is an event perfect for all ages.

Christmas in the Park had its first concert in 1994 and the festivities have only got bigger and more extravagant as the years have progressed. From light shows to fireworks and internationally acclaimed artists televised for those at home and across the country who couldn’t make it to the live event. Christmas in the Park is an alcohol free event which is strictly enforced on the night, so this is one evening in December where you can leave the booze at home.

Food stalls and merchandise border the grassy domain, and public transport services are doubled to account for the flood of attendees.

Want to Perform at Christmas in the Park?

If you’re a young Kiwi who wants to debut their vocal skills or dance routine at one of New Zealand’s most televised concerts, then check out the Christmas in the Park website for an audition.

Auckland Showgrounds Christmas Markets

Auckland Showgrounds based in Ellerslie plays host to many great markets, shows and exhibitions throughout the year. From the Easter Show with wild rides and food for a fun family day out, to home shows where you can see and try out the latest and greatest in home technology. In December Auckland Show Grounds turns into a festive wonderland for family enjoyment from food trucks, to stalls full Christmas gift inspiration.

The General Collective host a Lifestyle and Design Market in early November. Entry fee is $5 and children under 12 years enter for free. This Auckland Christmas market host stalls for high-end, design focused and hand made products, perfect for searching for gift giving inspiration. Fin yourself a selection of food, gifts and toys for the children. Coffee is on offer for the adults and of course activities to keep the children busy and entertained. This year the Christmas Lifestyle and Design Market is on Sunday 16th November, tickets can be purchased through the link above.

The Pumphouse Theatre for children

The Pumphouse Theatre is located in Killarney Park, on the edge of Lake Pupuke in Takapuna. The theatre provides a home for theatrical creatives to exhibited their creative inhibition’s through dance, productions or anything that can take the stage for an audience.

Every year the creative minds at the Pumphouse Theatre in Takapuna perform a play to ring in the festive season during December. Aimed at children, The Santa Claus show provides songs and music for children to get involved with and excited for the festive season ahead. Enjoy a play in Auckland at Christmas by visiting the Pumphouse Theatre in Takapuna.

History of the Pumphouse Theatre

Built in 1905, the pumphouse originally served as a water pumping station shifting the water from the lake to the residents of Devonport. Once the large dam in the Waitakere Ranges was working to full effect, the pumphouse was decommissioned and fell into disrepair until being saved from destruction in the 1960’s. This is where it gained it’s purpose as a theatre.

Other Things to do in Auckland at Christmas

I can’t list every Christmas event in Auckland, but I can do my best to direct you to some of the best. See below the list of some of the best Christmas events in Auckland 2025:

• Orewa Christmas Twilight Market and Festival
• Inclusive Beats Christmas: Music and Market Fest
• Carols in the Park
• ‘A Christmas Crisis’ Comedy Dance Troupe
• ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens