Fun Christmas Activities to Do This Festive Season
Summer is finally here, and everyone is getting ready for the holiday season across the country. When it comes to Christmas, there’s a child in all of us, and no matter what you say or how old you are, everyone loves getting lost in the colourful, vibrant Christmas lights. Whether you’re travelling around the country this month or just exploring your hometown, there are plenty of light setups and Christmas activities that may excite you.
So, to save you some time, here is a fun list of Christmas events in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch for kids and your inner child to cherish this holiday season.
Christmas events in Auckland
Unlike most places, Christmas in New Zealand is warm, and Auckland gets as busy as it can be. The atmosphere is lovely, with people wandering up and down the busy city streets, looking at the lights, attending Christmas events, shopping, celebrating, and taking photos.
Smith & Caughey’s Christmas
This iconic department store on Queen Street is known for its annual window display of Christmas decorations. Each year the display portrays a different theme depicting a Christmas story. This year’s display tells the story of The Chaos Before Christmas, a tale of mayhem at the North Pole. It’s worth checking out on a busy holiday weekend, and the street is full of music performers that add the oomph to the environment.
You can also choose to pay a visit to Santa’s enchanted forest at Smith & Caughey’s, which is a family tradition for many Aucklanders. One of Santa’s helpers greets you and leads you through the enchanted forest, where you will meet Santa.
LEGO Christmas in the Square
This December, Aotea Square will be home to giant LEGO Christmas baubles, 148 LEGO decorations made of 42,000 bricks and a building time of more than 33,000 minutes. The installation will be celebrated from the 9th of December until the 26th of December. The celebration will begin with live entertainment, music, tasty food trucks, magical lights, and a visit from Santa.
The Santa Claus Show 2022
The Santa Claus Show, an ever-popular Christmas production, has been touching the hearts of families all over Auckland since 1991. They are thrilled to celebrate the season by reintroducing this family favourite in 2022! Visit their heart-warming story about discovering the true meaning of Christmas, sprinkled with comedy and a generous helping of the season’s magic. Join Kelly and Alana on their jolly adventure through the North Pole, where they meet Santa’s chief elf and the big merry man himself. Spread the holiday cheer with this timeless tale that everyone will enjoy. Tickets are filling fast; book now!
Christmas lights in Auckland
Nothing makes us feel more festive than an adorning display of Christmas lights – yes, the more, the merrier! And we’ve just got you what you need – the best Christmas lights setups in Auckland.
Franklin Road, Ponsonby
Get ready to celebrate by counting down to the remarkable comeback of Franklin Road’s Christmas lights in Auckland. All Ponsonby Street residents join in the fun, decking their homes with lights, nativity scenes, giant blow-up festive characters, and smatterings of fake snow.
MOTAT, Point Chevalier
This hugely popular event is back and brighter than ever this December. Join them for a Christmas movie screening or other fun Christmas activities. Christmas Lights will run from Wednesday – Saturday from 7 – 24 December.
Torbay Christmas Lights Display, Torbay
The Torbay Christmas Lights Display, which is becoming one of Auckland’s must-visit Christmas locations, is going to return to the North Shore for another year of festive cheer.
Stay in Auckland
Our VR Hotels are conveniently located throughout Auckland CBD and the airport and are perfect for your Christmas as Harbours, islands, and beaches are never far away from world-class shopping and dining experiences. Discover our range of accommodations in Auckland for your next holiday. Join us this Christmas and enjoy a 20% discount on your stay in the Auckland CBD from 15th Dec to 15th Jan with the code AKL20.
Christmas in Hamilton
Hamilton is geared up for a family-oriented, super fun festive season with a huge variety of events happening across the region. Check out the list of events below, and enjoy the lights, markets, carols and, of course, the Hobbiton Christmas!
Hamilton Christmas lights
New Zealand’s biggest Christmas tree lights up Garden Place in Hamilton City, marking the beginning of the Christmas celebrations throughout the city. This massive tree stands 27 metres tall to the tip of the star – that’s more than six storeys! Installing the frame and lighting, fluffing the branches, and hanging the baubles require a team of about 15 people. YULE be sorry you missed out!
A Hobbiton™ Christmas
Visit Hobbiton this Christmas, and with a fully guided tour of the Shire™ at dusk, you’ll see Middle Earth as you’ve never seen it before. Throughout the evening, you can also enjoy their exclusive Southfarthing™ beer, cider, or ginger beer, as well as their wine selection. And let the kid in you muse over the presence of Hobbits.
Stay in Hamilton
VR Hamilton is one of Hamilton’s most famous landmarks as it is conveniently located in the middle of the city and lets you enjoy all the Christmas activities Hamilton offers. Our luxury rooms include spa baths, terrace views, and large living areas and are suitable for up to 4 guests.
Activities in Christchurch
Christchurch is a whole lot more than the gateway to the South Island and is a perfect place to celebrate Christmas with your family, awing at the scenic landscapes. If that’s something you are looking for, then below are the adventurous Christmas activities in Christchurch.
Waipara Wine experience with Giles tours
This 5.5-hour long yet hassle-free day trip from Christchurch takes you to one of New Zealand’s emerging wine regions. After leaving the city, you will be driven to the picturesque Waipara Valley region, dotted with vineyards. Visit a few of the best and try various red and white wines. Don’t worry about who will drive, as transfers are taken care of.
Arthurs Pass national park with TranzAlpine train tour
Enjoy a full day in the stunning scenic surroundings outside of Christchurch. This tour features the scenic TranzAlpine train and a guided tour of Arthur’s Pass National Park. TranzAlpine is considered one of the world’s top ten train journeys. From Arthurs Pass, travel by road through the Arthurs Pass National Park, past the snow-capped Southern Alps, and on to the Otira Gorge.
Though the above activities don’t sound so Christmassy, they are worth experiencing during the months of November to March due to the settled weather conditions.
Christmas lights Christchurch
Meanwhile, if you are in Christchurch or planning to visit Christchurch during Christmas, check out the NotEnoughLights lightshow that surrounds you with light show anime character villages and Lego Christmas houses. These Christmas lights in Christchurch features more than 300,000 LED lights synced to music and are worth a visit. Entry is free, with the choice of donating if you wish.
Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park
The nation’s favourite free Christmas party, Coca-Cola Christmas in the park. It’s a perfect place to gather with your family and friends for a night full of New Zealand’s top singers, dancers, and musicians. The celebration is topped off by a fabulous fireworks finale and can be enjoyed in Auckland or Christchurch.
Stay in Christchurch
This affordable hotel by VR Hotels, located in the city’s heart, opposite the iconic Hagley Park, is an excellent choice for families and friends. A central location means you’re just a wander away from all the action and adventure Christchurch has to offer this Christmas. We’re sure to have the perfect accommodation in Christchurch for you.
Now that we know there is plenty you can do throughout New Zealand during Christmas, most of us have already made some plans, but few of us are still spoilt for choice.
So, join us at VR Hotels – it’s quite a special year for every one of us. We even have our hotels dipped and decorated for extra Christmassy vibes. We understand how to make quality accommodation affordable and deliver the best customer experience. We hope to see you soon!