50 things to do with kids in Auckland this Christmas!
Want to create some Christmas magic in Auckland this silly season? We’ve got you covered.
There are so many epic events and activities coming up for kids - from visiting Santa (or one of his many doppelgängers!), picnicking under pohutukawa or getting crafty this Christmas; we’ve put together the ultimate list of Christmas fun for families in Auckland.
Check out these 50 things to do with kids in Auckland this Christmas, or if you’ve ticked them all off, you can find even more events and activities in the Roam with Kids app. Download it today and start your free trial!
Hit up a Santa Parade
You don’t have to look too far if you’re after a classic Santa Parade. The Farmers Santa Parade is on Sunday 30 November, but there’s also parades planned for Wellsford, Orewa, Clevedon, Howick, and others. Check out the Roam with Kids app for even more!
Light up Christmas!
Possibly the most well-known street in Auckland at this time of year - Franklin Road knows how to light up for Christmas. From 1 December, this hot spot in Ponsonby has the most awesomely decorated houses, street vendors, and carollers. We also love popping in to Duck Island on Ponsonby road for an extra treat.
Franklin Road always has the best Christmas decorations!
Pohutukawa picnic
Tāmaki Makaurau is home to some epic beaches, and lots of the northern coastline is dotted with Pohutukawa trees in bloom. A great spot is the beach reserve at Shakespeare Regional Park, where there’s plenty of red blooms to sit under and enjoy the early Summer sun.
Visit Te Manaaki
Has anyone else noticed the glow up that’s happened in the city the last few years? It’s already getting festive with giant baubles, and you can visit the big Te Manaaki tree from Sunday 23 November, post a letter to Santa at Commercial Bay (check out their parents room if you’re out and about with babies!), and get your Christmas shopping sorted!
Check out SkyCity Christmas
Desperate to find a Smith and Caugheys replacement? SkyCity has an epic Christmas lined up this year, and is the perfect place to see Santa. Book to visit Santa’s Magical Wonderland from 15 December, or check out the decorations and watch a free performance of Scottie’s Christmas Spectacular, daily from 20 December. They even have Christmas gingerbread cookie decorating going on!
There’s a lot going on for Christmas at SkyCity!
Wander through a Christmas village of the past
Take a step into the past at Howick Historical Village. See the village twinkling with lights, hear the carollers and explore the grounds. There’s also a market on site, Christmas crafts and Santa in residence at the Pui Nui Homestead.
Visit Santa in his study and get crafty at Auckland Museum
Santa is moving into his Southern Hemisphere office at the Auckland Museum on weekends from 22 November - 21 December. It’s only $10 to meet the Man in Red in his cosy study - bring your own camera for a pic to take home! There’s also plenty of Christmas crafts and holiday fun each weekend.
Make ceramic Christmas decorations to treasure
Get crafty and paint your own Christmas decorations and ornaments at Paint the Earth. They have extended opening hours in December, but get in earlier so you can have your piece fired and ready for pick up before the big day!
Visit Santa or The Grinch in Newmarket
Another famed rival to Smith and Caughey’s is Enchanted Christmas at Teed Street in Newmarket. This one is a must do for Grinch lovers too, as you can choose to visit him instead of Santa if you wish! They also have pet-friendly sessions available to book if you want to bring the ENTIRE family.
Tunez 4 Tamariki
Tunez 4 Tamariki with Suzy Cato on Sunday 14 and 21 December is one which preschoolers will enjoy as much as their millennial parents! It’s an hour-long Christmas special with free pre-show entertainment including face painting and other festive activities.
If you’re a millennial parent, seeing Suzy will be just as fun for you as it is for the kids!
Christmas Messy Play
Get Messy are hosting two Christmas themed messy play sessions in December on the North Shore, including a sweet ‘My First Christmas’ session for the wee ones up to 12 months old.
Make your own Christmas Wreath
If you’re after a showstopper, a cool outing with older kids could be to Highwic to their wreath making workshop, or Daily Blooms. Bookings are essential for both.
Snowy Christmas
Fancy meeting Santa in a winter wonderland? Snowplanet Santa is ready to receive visitors from Saturday 22 November, and you can add extra time to your booking to throw some snowballs, take on snowy slides and more.
Festive festivals!
There’s also plenty of Christmas festivals taking place all over Auckland including in Takapuna, Henderson and Onehunga. Find others near you in the Roam with Kids app!
Check out one of the free Christmas festivals happening across Auckland.
Say ‘hi’ to your local Mall Santa
Don’t want too much fuss? Your local mall Santa may be just the ticket. Most Santas are arriving on Saturday 6 December, and some places you can book ahead online. Some malls have extra festivities going on, like Glenfield’s face painting on the weekends and Thursday Chrissy craft sessions.
Christmas shows!
Christmas is the perfect time of year for cute pantomimes, and there’s a few happening over this festive break - check out Piri Piwakawaka Saves Christmas and the Chuckle Monsters Xmas Panto. For longer and larger spectacles suitable for primary age and above, you could check out A Celtic Christmas or The Greatest Christmas Show for a full theatre experience.
Celebrate the dog dearest in your life
Celebrate with your canine family members in Pukekohe at the Barking Mad Christmas Dog Special, meet Santa Paws and take part in fun activities and competitions.
Christmas and Twilight Markets
Lots of Auckland’s general weekend markets are throwing Christmas or Twilight markets in December with festive lights, activities and the odd Santa appearance. Pick up your handmade and organic gifts at one near you! There’s lots in the Roam with Kids app, including Catalina Bay, Mangere, and Grey Lynn.
Low Key Santa visit
There’s some smaller Santa displays around the place a bit closer to Christmas too if the bougie experience isn’t your vibe. Check out Christmas Wonderland in Waiuku, Pukekohe Lions Christmas Grotto or Santa in Residence at Uxbridge.
German Christmas Market
Get your pretzel and German sweet fix in Titirangi at the German Christmas Market on Saturday 29 November while the kids wear themselves out on the bouncy castles!
Christmas in Aotea Square
Head into the CBD and check out Auckland Live’s Christmas in Aotea Square. The whole festival from Friday 28 November to Sunday 21 December is family friendly and free, and there’s a bunch of activities kids will find very fun like the Yuletide Ukulele with The Nukes (BYO Uke if you have one!) on Sunday 14 December and The Elves are AWOL circus performance on Saturday 20 December.
Christmas in Aotea Square is always such a hit!
Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park
Head into the Auckland Domain on Saturday 13 December for Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park! It’s the largest free annual Christmas celebration with amazing performances and fireworks. Bring along your own picnic or check out the food trucks!
Outdoor movies
Check out a Christmas movie in the park like Arthur Christmas in Aotea Square on Saturday 13 December. Auckland Council’s summer movie line up is also expected to be announced later this month!
Local library events
Lots of libraries will be doing Christmas themed Wriggle and Rhyme, Rhymetime and Storytime sessions in December. Drop into your local to check them out! All regular sessions can be found in the Roam with Kids app in the recurring events section.
Write a letter to Santa
Don’t forget to write your letter to Santa! There’s mailboxes headed to the North Pole around the city that also double as a prize draw, like in Commercial Bay and Glenfield Mall.
Make your own Christmas cards
Make your own Christmas cards! Get crafting at home, or head to Studio One in Ponsonby for a free collage crafting session on Saturday 6 December.
Head out to a carolling event
If you have a music lover, check out Carols on the Green in St Heliers on Saturday 6 December or Carols at the Kings on Sunday 7 December.
Counties Energy Christmas Lights
Be dazzled by the lights and trains at Glenbrook Vintage Railway. Visit Santa’s grotto and hop on a train - rides leave at least every half hour. You can book tickets ahead of time to secure your spot!
Stockade Hill Christmas Lights
Head along to the community picnic at Stockade Hill in Howick to light the Christmas tree. Bring a picnic and settle down for some music and festivities.
Christmas at MOTAT
If you haven’t been before, MOTAT comes alive at Christmas with the grounds, heritage buildings and trams decked out with lights, carol singers and festive cheer. It’s on selected dates from Friday 5 to Monday 22 December. Book your tickets online (it’s free for MOTAT mates).
Christmas lights at MOTAT is perfect for older kids (it starts at 8pm).
Kids Christmas Party with sea views
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is hosting their Kids Christmas Party on Sunday 7 December at 11am with kids activities, a treasure hunt and a visit from Santa (BYO labelled gift). It’s free, but don’t forget to RSVP!
Auckland Zoo
And lastly, it’s not Christmasy, but if you haven’t hit up Auckland Zoo in a while, entry is 20% off until the end of November! but Auckland zoo has 20% off until the end of November.
Phew! That’s a lot to keep you busy this side of Christmas, but if you’re looking for even more ideas, check out the Roam With Kids app and see what else is going on!
