Auckland has the biggest Christmas calendar in the country, and the main events are free. Here are the dates for 2026, how to get the best out of each, and where to check before you go.
Farmers Santa Parade: Sunday 29 November 2026
The Farmers Santa Parade is the country's biggest Christmas parade and has run since 1933. In 2026 it returns for its 93rd year on Sunday 29 November from 1pm on Queen Street, with a postponement date of Sunday 6 December if the weather turns. It is free.
- Arrive at least an hour early for a place at the kerb. The shady side of the street is worth the wait.
- Take the train or bus. Streets around Queen Street close for the afternoon.
- Bring a small step or box for children to stand on, plus water, hats and sunscreen.
- Farmers Santa Parade details
Franklin Road Christmas lights: 1 to 24 December
Franklin Road in Ponsonby is the best-known Christmas street in New Zealand. The people who live there decorate their own houses, simply for the joy of it, and the lights are listed for 1 to 24 December 2026. Last year they were switched on each night from about 7.30pm to 10pm.
- Walk it. Park well away and stroll down one side and back up the other.
- Go on a weeknight early in December. The week before Christmas is shoulder to shoulder.
- It is not fully dark until about 9pm, so small children will be up late. Pyjamas under clothes helps.
- Be a good guest: stay off gardens and keep noise down late in the evening.
- Franklin Road Christmas lights 2026
Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park: Saturday 12 December
A free evening concert at Auckland Domain with live music, a big cast of performers and a fireworks finale. In 2026 it is on Saturday 12 December. Take a rug, a picnic and warm layers for after dark, and agree on a meeting place because the crowd is very large.
More Christmas lights in Auckland
- MOTAT Christmas Lights, Western Springs: listed for 4 to 21 December 2026. It sold out in 2025, so book early.
- Christmas Lights: Trains at Night, in South Auckland: listed for 5 to 23 December 2026. The Glenbrook Vintage Railway near Waiuku is the home of Christmas trains in Auckland.
- Te Manaaki, the giant Christmas tree at Te Komititanga by Britomart: more than 18 metres tall, with thousands of lights and pōhutukawa flowers.
- Vector Lights on the Harbour Bridge: a Kiwi Christmas light show listed for 17 to 26 December 2026. Watch from the waterfront.
- Christmas in Aotea Square: lights, bells and free entertainment through December.
- The Sky Tower, lit red and green in the days before Christmas.
Suburban parades and village Christmases
- Devonport Christmas Festival: Saturday 5 December (4.30pm to 9.30pm) and Sunday 6 December 2026 (11am to 3pm) at Windsor Reserve, with the Santa parade from 11am on Sunday, markets and dancing in the park. Devonport Christmas Festival
- Twilight Christmas at Howick Historical Village: Saturday 5 December 2026. Christmas as it was in the 1800s, by lantern light.
- Onehunga, Helensville and many other suburbs run their own parades and tree lightings. The council's OurAuckland site lists them by date.
A simple Auckland Christmas plan
- Last Sunday of November: the Santa Parade.
- A weeknight in the first week of December: Franklin Road.
- Saturday 12 December: Christmas in the Park.
- The week before Christmas: Te Manaaki and the Harbour Bridge lights after dinner in town.
For more ideas see our national guide to Christmas events in New Zealand.
Bring Santa home afterwards
Parades and lights are for crowds. The moment children remember is the one that is only for them. Santa can ring your phone, ask for your child by name and ask what they would like for Christmas. You choose the day and the minute, so it can ring as you get home from the parade or the lights.