Wellington does Christmas its own way. The capital no longer runs one big Santa parade. In its place the city council spreads free family events across the central city on the weekends before Christmas, which is easier on small legs and kinder if the wind gets up.
Christmas in the Quarters
Christmas in the Quarters is the council's free Christmas festival. In recent years it has been a series of events at four spots in the central city, each with its own theme, finishing with Santa's arrival:
- Christmas crafts for children in Midland Park.
- Christmas music and performances in Glover Park.
- Circus acts and street performers under the sails at Queens Wharf.
- A final event where Santa arrives, with a post box for letters to Santa at each one.
All of the events are free and accessible, with public toilets on site. The 2026 programme and any street closures are published on the council's Christmas page in November.
Where did the Santa parade go?
Wellington's first Santa parade was held in 1949 on a short route around the Basin Reserve, and for decades it ran along Lambton Quay. These days Santa arrives in a smaller walking parade as part of the council's Christmas events. If a full parade is what your children want, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Kāpiti councils list their own on their events pages.
Christmas markets
- The Christmas Market at Tākina, the convention centre on the waterfront, ran over a December weekend in 2025. Check Tākina's "what's on" page for this year.
- In past years Heritage New Zealand has lit up the Old Government Buildings on Lambton Quay for evening Christmas markets.
- The Sunday Harbourside Market by Te Papa is good for Christmas food, and craft markets pop up around the waterfront in December.
Lights and things to see
- The city's Christmas trees and street decorations along Lambton Quay and around the central city.
- The Cable Car, which has dressed its tunnels and cars in lights in past Decembers. Ride it up to the Botanic Garden.
- Wellington Botanic Garden, which usually hosts summer concerts and garden lights in January, once Christmas is over.
Family ideas for a Wellington December
- Christmas story times at city libraries.
- A swim and an ice cream at Oriental Bay or Scorching Bay on a still day.
- Te Papa and Zealandia when the southerly arrives.
- A drive to see neighbourhood lights. Community pages share addresses each year.
Tips for a windy city Christmas
- Dress in layers and tie hats on.
- Take the bus or train into town for weekend events. Parking is tight in December.
- Have an indoor back-up plan for every outdoor one.
See what other cities have planned in our national guide to Christmas events.
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.