Must-see Christmas lights in Auckland city centre

The city centre is coming alive with Christmas activations and festivities this November and December, including a multitude of lighting displays worth a trip in to see when the sun sets. Pair these sites with a cocktail from a rooftop bar or a festive show, and you're in for an extra special night!

Te Manaaki, Auckland's Giant Christmas Tree in Te Komititanga
Standing at a majestic 18.4 meters tall, decorated with over 10,000 LED lights, 4,000 Pōhutukawa flower decorations and over 200 giant baubles, it marks the start of an exciting new festive tradition for Auckland.

Brought to you by Precinct Properties, Heart of the City and Auckland Council city centre targeted rate.

Christmas pavilion in Aotea Square
Check out the fabulous pop-up pavilion in the heart of Aotea Square. It's home to festive performances across the festive season but also glows bright in the evenings, adorned with over 900 LED lights!  

Light Forest in Aotea Square
This fun, illuminating light forest installation takes pride of place in Aotea Square this year. Check it out while you're down admiring the epic pop-up Christmas pavilion! 

Christmas in Aotea Square is brought to you by Auckland Live.

Queen Street lights
Neon balls in trees along Queen Street will be illuminated with different colours. Look up to see them glow!  Plus the Queen Street Lights join in on the Christmas magic and illuminate the city with an extra festive glow. 

Neon shapes in Freyberg Place 
A giant neon star adorns the Freyberg Steps this festive season, glowing extra bright at night! Stand or sit at its base for a great snap for your feeds! 

Farmers building light display 
Stroll up from Freyberg place to Farmers and check out the brightly-lit Farmers building bringing colour and light to Queen Street.

Doves and Globes 
Enjoy the gorgeous and much loved dove and globe installations and check out the globes change colours throughout the day. You'll find them on Vulcan Lane and Durham Street East.

Smith & Caughey's Christmas windows 
Awesome for viewing in the daytime too, this festive attraction is a must-see every year. Stand underneath the sparkling fairy lights after the sun sets to catch them in a new, dramatic light. 

Light show on the Sky Tower 
The biggest Christmas tree in Auckland this festive season will be lit up in green and red in the 12 days to Santa's arrival on Christmas day. 

Vector Lights on the Harbour Bridge 
Brighten up your nights this December with a spectacular light show on the Harbour Bridge. This festive season, count down the 12 days to Christmas with a uniquely Kiwi show that will ring out Christmas cheer and brighten the night sky to make sure Santa and his reindeer can make their way across Tāmaki Makaurau. The light and sound show plays every 15 minutes from 9pm until midnight. Starting on Thursday December 12, it runs from 9pm until midnight every night to Christmas Eve. Each show is around 5 minutes long and will repeat every 15 minutes. See more here.