A kaleidoscope of festivity is illuminating the city centre.
A sparkling pavilion and light forest are captivating Aotea Square, Christmas on Queen Street is popping up with live music and tinsel mania, Smith & Caughey’s storybook shop windows are lighting up children’s adoring faces, Commercial Bay’s Santa’s Magic Mail Machine is in hot demand, Vector Lights for a Kiwi Christmas will light up the harbour bridge, and there’s a festive makeover for Hogwash the red ferry crossing the Viaduct Harbour.
‘The Pav’ is the nickname for the much-loved luminescent pavilion which made its Christmas debut in Te Komititanga in 2022. It is bringing its toybox of colour and light to Auckland Live Christmas in Aotea Square.
Star attraction in Te Komititanga, the square at the waterfront end of town, is a magical new Christmas tree. Te Manaaki is delivered by Heart of the City and Precinct Properties, with Auckland Council’s contribution from the city centre targeted rate. More at Our Auckland.
Waitematā Local Board Chair Genevieve Sage is thrilled to see Aucklanders enjoying a square-to-square experience this year, with festive music, art and lighting filling our public spaces from Aotea Square to Te Komititanga.
“I am a big fan of Te Manaaki, and it’s great to see the pavilion in its new home. We really are projecting ourselves as the world-class city centre we are, and I am confident Aucklanders will turn out this Christmas season and discover that for themselves,” she says.
Some highlights:
Giant tree will knock your Christmas stockings off
Standing at a majestic 18.4 metres tall, Te Manaaki is decorated with 10,000 LED lights, 4,000 pōhutukawa flowers and 200 giant baubles. A new centrepiece for Te Komititanga, the giant tree marks the beginning of an exciting new festive tradition for Auckland.
The glow of Te Manaaki radiates into the evening, carving its place in time among the festive capitals of the world. In a contrast of eras, Te Manaaki stands between the glorious Chief Post Office building which has seen 115 Christmases and the buzz of Commercial Bay. The tree will be lit from 5pm every day until 5 January, with a five minute light show every ten minutes.
Te Manaaki tree in the daytime. Photo credit: Sacha Stejko
‘The Pav’ lifts Aotea Square to bright new heights
Co-created by award-winning designers Angus Muir, Matt Liggins, and Auckland Council’s Barbara Holloway, the Christmas Pavilion lit up children’s eyes by day and Instagram by night when it was first unveiled.
Glittering with more than 900 lights, giant Christmas shapes and a stage for performances, this year The Pav is part of Auckland Live Christmas in Aotea Square which showcases a month-long programme of free, whānau friendly experiences, from live music to circus, visual arts to karaoke, and even an outdoor cinema. Learn more at Auckland Live.
Christmas tunes and tinsel antics pop-up on Queen Street
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in December, shoppers and commuters in Queen Street will discover entertainers and friendly tinsel monsters popping up on footpaths and at intersections bringing cheeky Christmas cheer.
The Saxobros.
Enticing people to dwell, stop and listen, shop and enjoy the streets and spaces all decked out in festive mode, retailers along Queen Street will also capture the imaginations of visitors and encourage them to stay longer in the city centre this festive season.
Storybook of Little Kiwi’s journey lights up the harbour bridge
In the storybook We Wish You a Kiwi Christmas, Little Kiwi dreams of riding through the skies with Santa, and is surprised one Christmas Eve to find Santa with a broken sleigh. With the help of some of her bird friends, Little Kiwi finally gets her wish!
Vector Lights for a Kiwi Christmas is celebrating this festive season from 12 December with an all-new light and sound show based on the classic children’s Christmas book.
Sing along with Pio Terei in English and te reo Māori to the lights on the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge. Head to vector.co.nz/lights and listen live from your favourite viewing spot. Some of the best viewing places include Little Shoal Bay, Westhaven Marina, and Silo Park.
Ride in a canoe with two plucky pōhutukawa kids
Pōhutukawa kid figurines.
Smith & Caughey's animated Christmas windows opened last month, with little ones gathering excitedly on a red carpet.
The windows this Christmas season are inspired by the Kiwi classic The Adventures of Hutu and Kawa, written and illustrated by Avis Acres. In an old pōhutukawa tree between the forest and the sea live Hutu and Kawa. With the help of Grandpa Kiwi, Hutu and Kawa build a canoe and set off up the river to explore the forest. On their way they make many new friends - and encounter a fearsome hawk.
A firm favourite with young Kiwis since its publication in 1955, Avis’ watercolours of New Zealand native bush continue to be appreciated for their nostalgic charm. Smith & Caughey’s Queen Street store brings these delightful characters to life in animated art.
Take the festive ferry to Christmas market at Wynyard Quarter
Red Boats ferry sailing past city waterfront.
Hogwash, the beloved red ferry connecting Aucklanders across the Viaduct Harbour, is getting an enchanting festive makeover for the holiday season, with Santa’s helpers on board the weekends before Christmas. The FREE ferry service runs between the Eastern Viaduct and the Viaduct Events Centre every day 7am to late.
On 7 and 8 December you’ll disembark at Karanga Plaza and find a Christmas market. Eke Panuku and Park Hyatt Auckland are bringing you this delightful artisan market experience, with unique handcrafted gifts, delicious treats and more.
Feel the joy of the season with free festive craft workshops and Santa himself. Gather your loved ones and head to Karanga Plaza for a weekend of Christmas magic, seaside sparkle, and holiday cheer. More details on Facebook here.
The festive programme in Aotea Square and Queen Street is brought to the city centre by Auckland Council, funded fully by the city centre targeted rate. For times, dates and venues go to Christmas in the city centre | Heart of the City or Our Auckland for regionwide festive events.
