Queen Street to become a magical pathway of festive light
A magical and enchanting time of year, today Auckland Council and partners announce a jaw-dropping festive season set to 'electrify' city centre streets and spaces.
What’s new in 2025?
Five-metre-tall columns, created by artist Angus Muir in collaboration with Auckland Council’s Barbara Holloway, will deliver a parade of colour and neon light along Queen Street from 1 December, connecting Aotea with downtown waterfront.
Each of five columns will light up with a different form of festive wonder – Santa’s workshop, a festive forest, under the sea, a Kiwi Christmas and the classic Christmas feast.
Interactive buttons to press, knobs to turn and even a juke box to fire up – together these interactive elements will bring it all to life. Imagine the kids dialling an elf, seeing their selfie image shining on the sun, making a fish swim or a seagull squawk, and getting a close-up view of Santa’s workshop, as they walk (or skip or run) between festive columns.
Children’s faces are expected to flood with delight as they glimpse what’s behind each door, window, porthole, and find the colours, sounds and shapes of Christmas inside.
A QR-code will help parents guide the kids as they uncover what’s hidden inside each column:
- Christmas Feast – push the gingerbread man’s buttons to change the lights and music. Find a jukebox and choose a kiwi Christmas track to play.
- Kiwi Christmas – push the seagull’s buttons and hear her squawk or try the selfie booth and see your face shining on the sun for 10 seconds.
- Festive Forest – touch the screen tree and add baubles and tinsel or change the anthers of pōhutukawa flowers and trigger the sounds of nature.
- Under the Sea – touch the porthole and set off little under sea reactions. Make a fish swim, open a treasure chest, or trigger a surprising light and sound response.
- Santa’s workshop - open the door to reveal a glimpse into Santa’s toy factory. Find a special elf-size phone booth, call an elf or make a wish.
What’s returning in 2025?
The Pav
Auckland’s famous Christmas Pavilion will extend its charm alongside a month of free live music and family friendly performances as part of Auckland Live Christmas in Aotea Square.
The full programme is being announced on Wed 5 November at aucklandlive.co.nz.
The same festive shapes from Aotea Square’s Christmas Pavilion, nicknamed ‘The Pav’, will pop up on lamp posts along Queen Street.
Giant tree
Striking Christmas tree, Te Manaaki, will return to downtown square Te Komititanga, ushered in by the music of chart-topping kiwi band Drax Project at dusk on 22 November.
Carving its place in time among the festive capitals of the world, Te Manaaki stands a majestic 18.4 metres tall and is decorated with 10,000 LED lights, 4,000 pōhutukawa flowers and 200 giant baubles. In a contrast of eras, Te Manaaki stands between the glorious Chief Post Office building which has seen 116 Christmases and the buzz of Commercial Bay.
The tree will be lit from 6pm every day until 4 January, with a five-minute light projection playing every ten minutes.
The original investment and this second installation of the tree is funded by Heart of the City and Commercial Bay, with support from Auckland Council via the city centre targeted rate.
What’s reimagined in 2025?
Sparkle hour
Celebrate this season from 12 to 25 December with Vector Lights for a Kiwi Christmas - a light and sound show based on classic children’s Christmas book We Wish You a Kiwi Christmas. Sing along with Pio Terei in English and te reo Māori to the rhythm of the lights on the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge. Head to the main Vector Lights website for audio tracks and viewing locations around the city.
And don’t miss this summer’s new Sparkle Hour. Vector Lights’ stunning new twinkling display every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening (at the beginning of every hour) until 14 February, either side of the Christmas show.
SkyCity Christmas
Feel the magic all season long at SkyCity from 14 November with a season of festive entertainment and family fun. From dazzling performances and magical moments to sweet treats and Christmas cheer, there’s something happening in the Atrium and Plaza every day until Christmas to get Aucklanders and visitors into the festive spirit.
Seaside market
Get ready to celebrate the magic of Christmas at the Karanga Plaza Christmas Market on the shimmering waterfront of Wynyard Quarter on 6 and 7 December, 10am-4pm.
Join us for a weekend filled with festive fun as Auckland Council and Park Hyatt Auckland bring you a delightful artisan market experience. From unique, handcrafted gifts to mouth-watering treats, there’s something for everyone.
Santa Parade
Returning to the Farmers Santa Parade this year will be the team of safety wardens who cast a watchful eye over city centre streets and spaces every day and night. Wearing Christmas tinsel, they will walk with their families and accompany Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson who waves to the crowds every year from a vintage car.
The star of the show is always Santa himself, but Queen Street has also been a constant presence throughout 92 years in the life of this legendary parade, believed to be one of the most enduring in the southern hemisphere.
New Year’s Eve
The season will come to an end with the grandest of finales on 31 December. New Year’s Eve’s highly anticipated fireworks display will burst from the city’s iconic Sky Tower at midnight.
Expect dates and more details from Auckland Council, Auckland Live, Heart of the City, Commercial Bay, Britomart, Viaduct Harbour and SkyCity in coming days and weeks.
Many of these activations are proudly supported by Auckland Council’s city centre targeted rate including Auckland Live Christmas in Aotea Square, Te Manaaki the giant Christmas tree, and Farmers Santa Parade.
Bring the kids and make life-long memories.