Franklin road is decorate with Christmas Lights to celebrate the season.

The lights are on again each evening from 1 December 2019 until Christmas Day 2019 from approx 7.30pm until 11pm.

Please respect that the residents who participate do so without sponsorship or help from any commercial organisation and that it is given of their own generosity and with the commercial free spirit of Christmas.

Enjoy the FREE 2km sculpture trail of New Zealand artists at Auckland Botanic Gardens.

The sculpture trail is a perfect family day out at the gardens and a fun way for children to learn about New Zealand modern art.  The 2km outdoor sculpture trail features 20 impressive large sculptures made by New Zealand artists.

Don’t forget to pick up the free Fun Trail Guide booklet for the kids and an adults Trail Guide for yourself from the Visitor Centre before you set off on the trail.

Read about Auckland for Kids visit to the Sculpture in the Gardens here.

Sculpture in the Gardens runs over summer until 1 March 2020.

Visit Santa this Christmas in his new cabin in Snowplanet’s brand new Winter Wonderland.

Step into a magical, white winter fairy-tale where lifelong memories are made. Meet Santa and some of his elves, see the picture of Mrs Claus hanging above a roaring fire, Christmas letters being sorted, Rudolph and Santa’s sleigh parked-up ready for Christmas deliveries, all nestled in an alpine village, amongst the trees at the base of a mountain.

The kids can touch, feel and play in the fantastic alpine village on the snow. Lie down and make snow angels, hide amongst the trees and climb on the terrain.

You can also choose to add on snowtubing if you wish to go down the brand new tubing tracks with ice walls for an additional fee while you’re exploring Winter Wonderland. Note tubing is not suitable for toddlers.

Bookings are essential to visit Santa at Snowplanet from Saturday 23 November to Tuesday 24 December 2019.

Welcome to the third ‘Christmas Tree Showcase’.  With a ‘Kiwiana’ theme it is a display not to be missed.

View up to 200 Christmas Trees created by community groups, corporate partners, schools, kindergartens, family & friends on display.

A unique wooden ‘Kiwi Bach’ set amongst an array of traditional, alternative and ‘Kiwiana’ themed Christmas trees is the focal point of our display.

Visit our vintage ‘Retro Caravan Café’ incorporated into our exhibition area this year.  Sit and enjoy iconic ‘kiwi’ fare and enjoy the ambiance of our display. The use of retro china tea cups, tables, chair and décor will generate nostalgia for some and for others it will be an educational opportunity.

Santa will be visiting the event at the weekends.

‘Spot it’ activity for families is back. Families loved this hand out activity last year. Find all the photographed decorations on the card throughout the display.

Visit the display and enjoy a nostalgic ‘Kiwi’ Christmas experience while supporting those less fortunate in the community.

Funds raised from our event will assist The Salvation Army in providing our community services such as ‘Food Bank assistance, and on-going services such as Budgeting, Advocacy and Life Skills programs.

Note: This Xmas event is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

My Art Time is a fun and free, drop-in weekend workshop where you can enjoy art-making as a family. Make a piece of art you can take home and explore ideas and themes related to the Gallery’s current exhibitions.

My Art Time is on each Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 2pm.

join the iconic 66th Howick Santa Parade. The Parade will start at 2.30pm sharp.

This will be a fun filled family day out starting from 11am.

There will be FREE activities & giveaways on Uxbridge Road from 11 – 2pm,

Also FREE stage entertainment, clown shows, fashion shows plus much more.

Moore Street will be filled with Live Music, Hot Rod Shows, and rides & Ice Cream. The Howick Markets will be running with some fabulous stall holders.

Get Your Skates On!

This Christmas, Westgate Shopping Centre is hosting a free ice skating rink for our customers daily from 11am to 6pm until 20 December

The ice rink will be indoors, opposite the Westgate Optometrist.

The family that surfs together, stays together.

Family Surf Days are an amazing summer experience at Te Arai for adults and children to spend time together as a family and have a fun day out.

Everything you need from board rental, to wetsuits and experienced instructors who are trained to teach anyone will be provided.

Your family will receive 2 hours of surf coaching that caters to your individual skill level & goals.Learn about safety, surfing fundamentals, positioning and paddling,  getting out back and reading waves.

You will need to bring: Swimwear, towel, water, waterproof sunscreen.

Suitable for: Ages 6 years plus, first time surfers, beginners or those wanting to refresh or refine techniques.

Bookings are essential. Meet 20min before your lesson at the Aotearoa Surf Shop at 11 Te Arai Point Rd, Te Arai, Family surf day sessions are 2 hours long.

The Fringe District and Eden Park bring you An Eden Park Christmas. A free festive family event for the entire community.

Hosted By Suzy Cato and politician David Seymour, and proudly supporting Child Cancer Foundation, an Eden Park Christmas 2019 is set to be even bigger and better!

Eden Park in a picnic setting, a festive sing-a-long with a 500-piece choir, free family activities all day…. So pack your hamper, and get your picnic spot early!

Schedule:
Gates open at 11am.
Family entertainment starts 11:15am
Sing-a-long starts at 12pm
Markets open 11:15-2:45pm
Event finishes 3pm.

Entertainment includes: 2 hour festive sing-a-long with community performers, Kids Entertainers and Activities; 500-piece mass choir; Crafternoon Tea Markets; Local Food Trucks and more.

Rain or shine! This event will bring Aucklander’s together for a day of sunshine, singing and family festivity at Eden Park!

Join in this all-ages community celebration with live music, free activities, food trucks and a fabulous market. Celebrate Christmas the coastie way…

Free activities include Ice Skating, inflatables, preschool activities, face painting and games, harakeke weaving. mobile book bus & activities, bag decorating,  pest trap building & activities and animal encounters.

The market has 40 stalls with beautiful art, crafts and gifts for Christmas, food trucks, a sausage sizzle, free water station, pop-up op shop, musical entertainment and a special performance by the Hibiscus Tuakana Pacifika Group.

This is a Zero Waste held in the Upper Carpark at Whangaparaoa College.  There will be limited seating available but plenty of grass so you may like to bring a blanket to sit on. Some shade will be provided. Please leave your furry friends at home.

This event wouldn’t be possible without Red Beach Fletcher Living, Hibiscus And Bays Local Board and local business sponsors.

Get the kids riding bikes. Learning to ride a two-wheeler is one of those big childhood milestones, and being part of that experience as a parent is a thrill.

If you are wondering how to get started, or experiencing a few bumps along the way then check out Auckland Transport’s FREE #Learn2Ride sessions.

The team of qualified instructors work alongside parents to get kids riding. Whether starting on a balance bike or making the transition to pedals the team is here to help.

Sessions are weather dependent and run on a drop-in basis so no need to register. Bring your own bike or try one of Auckland Transports

It wouldn’t be Auckland Live Summer in the Square without a sensational music line-up, and this summer is no exception.

95bFM Kids Show Live
Sun 8 Dec, 7am – 9am
KIDS

DJ Mr Crawley
Sun 8 Dec, 12pm – 2pm
SOUL | FUNK

Ruckus
Sun 8 Dec, 2pm – 4pm
JAZZ

If you’re a music nerd, or you simply love a cool beverage in the sun while the sweet sounds of live music sizzle in the background, make sure you come on down to the square and make the most of the free music programme that’s on each day. It’s going to be a scorcher!

The Pukekohe Christmas Parade is back for another year! The Parade will take place at 2pm.

This year, the theme is ‘Kiwi Icons’ – think Fred Dagg, Sir Edmund Hilary, Hairy Maclary, sports teams and people, musicians, Lord of the Rings, Buzzy Bee etc.

Haere mai to Takapuna Library’s bilingual te reo rhymetime!

Everybody is welcome, come and join in the fun.

Te reo rhymetime is on the Second Sunday of every month.

The Night Noodle Market is returning to Auckland this year, bringing you more than just noodles!

Prepare your senses as a fusion of Eastern flavours and neon lights will transform Victoria Park into the ultimate Asian pop-up market experience.

Enjoy entertainment, authentic food from local and international stallholders.

Enjoy the free screening of Hip Hop-eration on the Auckland Live Digital Stage of a selection of cinematic classics at Summer in the Square.

This is a Summer in the Square event and part of Tāmaki Makaurau’s outdoor cinema line-up Films in the Square in Aotea Square, so grab the whānau, picnic rug and ready, set, action!

Rated PG, some material may not be suitable for young children. Parental Guidance is advised
Movie duration: 93 minutes

Join in this year’s Manurewa Christmas in the Park at Mountfort Park!

Featuring a fresh line up of local South Auckland talent, an incredible fireworks display, food stalls, sports comps, bouncy castles and loads more.

Free entry and fun for the whole family!

This event is proudly brought to you by the churches of Manurewa, in partnership with the Manurewa Local Board.

Come down to the Digital Stage and meet a gentle giant from Canada who travels the world with his tin can telephone. For those brave enough, you are invited  to pick up the other end of the phone and have a conversation with this delightful character, tell him your Christmas wish list, whisper secrets in his ear and watch his surprising reactions to life’s big questions.

Created by Montréal’s HUB Studio don’t miss this quirky interactive experience for all-ages to enjoy free in Aotea Square for nine nights only.

Light Me Up Manurewa returns again for 2019 this time a new location  See the Christmas lights dance to music.

The 2018 Light Show was a success, and this year it will be bigger and better with more lights.

Lights will run from 30th November until 31st December 2019 from approximately 8pm to 9pm each night.

Note: Please park on Rathma Drive and take a short walk up to the viewing area, as the Cairnsvale Rise is a small culdesac please do not try and park or drive past the Christmas Lights as doing so  will create a traffic jam.  

If you wish to confirm the timing that the lights will be on for the day you visit please check for updates by checking here

Free community event hosted by Jumpy Jump Bouncy Castles.

Dannemora house lit up for Christmas starting from the 1st of December – 28th December. Lights on @ 8.45 pm each night til late. Santa is there on selected nights and snow machines will run.

Christmas Light and Music Show in Karaka.

Please respect the residents of Karaka Lakes by NOT littering while visiting our area. Also, when walking back to your cars please keep the noise down as residents may be sleeping.

Traffic management will be in place every night, please read the signs and listen to the traffic wardens, they are here voluntarily.

From 18-24th December parking will be available at the large empty section beside the lake, it will be sign-posted. It is much easier to park there, than drive around in circles trying to find a closer park (that isnt there) and missing out on seeing all the lights that residents have put up. Please check for cancellations due to ran on the Facebook page link below.