Christmas is coming early in the city centre this year, with a month of festive Saturdays bringing Queen Street to life!
Every Saturday in December, you'll find the city centre streets will be buzzing with street performers, live music, giveaways and more. Be sure to circle past Smith & Caughey’s windows as hand-made puppets bring a new Christmas storybook to life and don’t miss a visit to Santa's Enchanted Forest. A little further south, Aotea Square will be filled with all the festive feels. And on the 16th of December, a special market day will fill midtown’s historic Strand Arcade.
Must-see festivities on Queen Street
Christmas on Queen Street | Saturdays 11am-3pm
Every Saturday in December, you’ll find Queen Street humming with the colours, sights and sounds of street performances, costumed characters, live music and neon-lit trees. Plus, chance upon tinsel monsters, elves and fairies as well as ice cream and doughnut giveaways. See more here.
Christmas in Te Komititanga | 24 Nov - 24 Dec
Don't miss a month of free open air festive performances in and around a pop-up, decorated pavilion in Te Komititanga. Running from 24 November - 24 December 2023 across weekdays and weekends you can enjoy festive entertainment from 12pm-2pm and 4pm-6pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 12pm-2pm on Sundays. See more here.
Christmas in Te Komititanga and Christmas on Queen Street are brought to you by Auckland Council and Heart of the City and are supported by the city centre targeted rate.
Smith & Caughey's Christmas windows and Santa's Enchanted Forest
Is Christmas really really complete without a visit to Smith & Caughey's? A little magic makes for big memories - and this year's window display is nothing short of magical! Marvel at animated hand-made puppets and decorations and twinkling lights and see here for more on this year's theme. Make sure you're booked in to meet Santa inside his Enchanted Forest wonderland - a must-do for families this year.
Midtown Christmas Market | 16 Dec, 11am-3pm
For just one day only, this special market day in The Strand Arcade will be filled with goodies from the cute and cool to dainty and delicious. Shop for artisan crafts and vintage goods, meet the makers from the African and the city centre communities and bring the kids to get amongst free events! See more Christmas markets, here.
Commercial Bay Christmas Markets | Saturday 2 & 9 Dec
Over the first two Saturdays of December, Commercial Bay will come alive with Christmas spirit. The bay will entertain the whole family with Santa and the Commercial Bay Christmas fairy roaming around the centre along with free face painting, balloon twisting, candy floss and delicious soft serve. Plus, don't miss the festivities happening on Thursday evenings too! See more here.
Auckland Live Christmas in Aotea Square | 9-21 Dec
Auckland Live are bringing Christmas cheer to Aotea Square this December with a festive programme of free whānau-friendly performances and experiences. From brass bands and choirs to Christmas karaoke, an outdoor screening of Home Alone and an imagination playground, there's so much to warm event the Grinch's festive spirit. See more here.
And more around the city centre
Christmas at SkyCity | 3 - 24 Dec
Taking place every Saturday (and Sunday), don't miss a raft of family-friendly events and experiences at SkyCity, including Scotty’s Christmas Spectacular show - an interactive show starring SkyCity's very own Scotty Sky Tower, his two best gingerbread friends and dancers. There are large-scale decorations on display (a gold Christmas tree, a light forest and giant nutcrackers!), and kids can get their photo taken with Santa for free - plus so much more, see the full line-up here.
Artisan Christmas Market | 2 & 3 Dec
This brand-new artisan Christmas market is bringing all the Christmas vibes to the waterfront for the first weekend of December! Explore an array of gift stalls, indulge in delicious food, partake in fun activities and join craft workshops. Plus, don't miss special dining and drinking offers at Park Hyatt, from a BBQ on the deck to The Living Rooms special Christmas Chocolate themed high tea. Oh, and did we mention.. Santa will be there too!
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 on weekends and public holidays.
- $2 per hour on weekends (max of $10) at Victoria Street car park.
- $2 per hour on weekends (max of $12) at the Civic car park.
- $2 per hour on weekends and weekdays from 6pm (max of $12) at the Downtown car park.
- $7 a day on weekends at the Fanshawe Street 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.