Christmas Activities, Lights & Decorations in Auckland for Kids
Plan a family day out in Auckland during the holiday season. Here is our pick of the best fun Christmas-themed activities, decorations, lights and things to do for kids (and the adults too)!
1. Find the Christmas Decorations and Christmas Lights in Auckland City Centre
Make sure you discover the:
Giant Baubles in Te Komititanga next to Commercial Bay and at the bottom of Queen Street.
Neon Tree lights hanging from the trees along Queen Street
Giant Christmas Star Lights in O’Connell Street, Freyberg Square and Khartoumn Place
Doves and Globes decorations in Vulcan Lane and Durham Street East.
Angels in Elliot Street.
2. Smith and Caughey's Christmas Window Displays
Our kids always love Smith and Caughey’s Christmas Windows which change every year. This year the theme is The Fairies’ Night Before Christmas which is a kiwi take on the Night Before Christmas.
The windows depict a forest fairy community working together under the shade of Pōhutukawa Christmas trees and the fairies pulling together in a crisis showing how resourceful, clever and adventurous they are.
3. The Magic Mail Machine in Commercial Bay
Something new for the kids to enjoy this year in the city at Christmas is The Magic Mail Machine in Commercial Bay. Kids can post a letter to Santa in the giant ineractive three story high Magic Mail Machine with 140 feet of LED tubing. There are letter writing stations or you can bring in your own from home. The Mailboxes are open from 10am to 8pm each day. Find out more here: https://christmas.commercialbay.co.nz/
4. Giant Christmas Bauble in Parnell
Take a family photo under the Giant Bauble in Heard Park on Parnell Road. The giant bubble is white in the day time and then it is lit up at night from 5pm to 9pm in a brilliant red.
5. Christmas Light Show at Te Komititanga
Enjoy the Christmas Light Show at Te Komititanga projected on the front of the Chief Post Office Building which is now Britomart Train Station in downtown Auckland. On each evening between 8:45pm and 11pm from 3 December until Christmas Eve. Kids will love watching the journey from Auckland to the North Pole to see Santa’s workshop
6. Santa's Enchanted Forest
Visit Santa’s Enchanted Forest at Smith & Caughey’s on Queen Street with the kids. Before making your way to meet Santa, explore the Enchanted Forest, see Santa’s helpers getting ready for Christmas.
Each child will receive a collectable Christmas tree bauble gift from Santa and a keepsake photo with him. After meeting Santa and giving him your Christmas wish your receive Santa photo.
Note: This year Santa, Santa’s Helpers and the Christmas Fairies will be wearing face masks. A clear Perspex screen has been added on each side of Santa’s chair, between Santa and his guests.
As of Friday 3 December, Smith & Caughey’s will be operating as a Vaccine Pass Business. Visitors, staff and customers (aged 12 and over) will need to present their My Vaccine Pass or official exemption upon entry to the store. Santa’s guests over the age of 12 will be required to wear masks throughout their Santa’s Enchanted Forest Experience unless a medical exemption is provided.
Santa’s Enchanted Forest, Santa Visit, Christmas Bauble and photo is $20 per child. Bookings are essential.
7. The Christmas Lightshow
Visit the Christmas Lightshow at Eastgate Christian Centre in Pakuranga in East Auckland from the 5th to the 24th December from 8:30pm each night. Celebrate the festive season with your family, neighbours and community from your car or the sidewalk as thousands of LED lights dance along to music and sounds. Tune your radio to 88.1FM to listen the story.
This is a FREE community event for all ages. Find out more about here.
8. Christmas Time at Howick Historical Village
Visit the Howick Historical Village for Christmas fun throughout December! While the decorations have been pared back festiveness is still in the air. From 3rd to 24th December see the interiors of the grand, 1861 homestead Puhi Nui gloriously decked-out! Work your way around the Village learning about traditions from the past on a Christmas trail. Find out more about the Christmas Time at Howick Historical Village Event
9. Vector's Light's for the Festive Season
It’s going to be Auckland’s brightest festive season yet with Vector Lights on Auckland Harbour Bridge!
The sustainable light show, and accompanying soundtrack, will countdown the 12 days of a Kiwi Christmas. The show will repeat every 30 minutes from Monday 13 to Friday 24 December from 9pm to midnight.
10. Sky Tower Lights for Christmas
To celebrate the silly season at SkyCity until Christmas Day, the Sky Tower will put on a festive light show each evening. The tower will dance in red and green, until when it will shine a different colour each night, showcasing the brilliant range of colours the Sky Tower can be.
Leave a Reply