The festive season is shaping up at Commercial Bay with activity, events and pop-ups sure to get you in the silly season spirit!
Christmas Bay Markets
For the first two Thursdays and Saturdays of December (2nd, 7th, 9th & 14th), Commercial Bay will come alive with Christmas spirit - think entertainment, giveaways, deals and all the festive feels!
On Thursday evenings from 4pm, get immersed in live music, mocktails from Harker Herbals, entertainment, giveaways, deals and all the festive feels till close at 8pm! There will be an Eco Glitter bar set up for those who want to adorn themselves with some extra holiday sparkle along with complimentary calligraphy offering customised gift messages and festive quotes exclusive from 5pm-7pm too.
On Saturdays the bay will entertain the whole family with Santa and the Commercial Bay Christmas fairy roaming around the centre along with complimentary face painting and balloon twisting from 10am-3pm. Not to mention free candy floss from 12pm-3pm and complimentary popcorn from Kate Spade.
On Thursday 7 December, bring in your Birkenstocks or pick up a pair at Solect and get some custom art ahead of summer from Juli Ilagan.
Visitors can post their wish lists at Santa’s Mail Machine, returning for its fourth year, offering customers big and small, the chance to post their wishlist to the North Pole. The magical Mail Machine provides a theatrical experience that will surprise and delight, with Commercial Bay elves collecting the letters every day to make lucky customers' wishlists come true with gifts from around the precinct up for grabs throughout the season. Santa's Mail Machine is located on both levels 1 and 2 of the centre (by concierge and harbour eats).
Head to the concierge desk which has been transformed into a Christmas Workshop, offering complimentary gift wrapping. Spend over $25 in any Commercial Bay store and take your receipt up to the Christmas Workshop where you can have your item specially wrapped (available from 7 December). Spend over $150 and you can get your hands on a complimentary Santa Sack (while stocks last) made lovingly from recycled fabric from several of Commercial Bay's designer retailers.
While you're in the area, be sure to also check out Christmas in Te Komititanga right outside, which is running from November 24 – December 24 across weekdays and weekends. There will be festive entertainment from 12pm-2pm and 4pm-6pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 12pm-2pm on Sundays, under and around a pop-up festive pavilion. The magic continues up Queen Street with pop-up performers and more festive activations part of Christmas Saturdays in the City.
It's easy to get in, out and around
Getting around the city centre is easier, and cheaper than some may think! Here are some parking and transport hacks to remember when you're coming in.
- Kids ride free on public transport at weekends.
- $2 per hour on weekends (max of $15) at the Downtown Car Park
Get $2 parking per hour to a maximum of $15 on evenings and weekends at the Downtown car park. Find out more.
Kids ride free on public transport on weekends and public holidays. Find out more.