Christmas Has Arrived in Auckland City with Performers and a Giant Toybox Taking Over the CBD

Christmas has officially arrived in Auckland's CBD, with the city centre getting a festive makeover in the coming days. From Friday, November 24, the city will be littered with Christmas spirit from every angle, from Aotea Square, Queen Street, Britomart and Te Komititanga Square.

There's something happening in every corner of the city, with performers roaming Queen Street every Saturday and karaoke, live music, Christmas films and an augmented reality experience popping up in Aotea Square.

Each city lane off-shooting from Queen Street will host its own little Christmas party, with Indigenous and queer markets popping up by Elliott Street, which you can explore while listening to traditional African drums. Vulcan and Durham lanes will be decorated with festive doves and globes, with saxophone performers visiting the lanes in late December.

As you make your way down Queen Street, you'll be able to spot department store Smith and Caughey's annual Christmas window display, giving Aucklanders a glimpse into Santa's Workshop. For the little ones with you — or just Christmas-loving adults — head inside the store to meet the man himself.

Approaching the bottom of Queen Street, you'll see the giant decorations placed around Te Komititanga square from a mile away. In a nod to both New Zealanders' favourite Christmas dessert and the space this festive pavilion sits in, The Pav structure brings Christmas magic to life, with giant decorations, elves, a forest of lights and live performances gracing the square throughout the silly season.

The Christmas festivities kick off around Auckland's city centre from Friday, November 24–Sunday, December 24. For a full rundown of each activation and performance, head to the Auckland City Council's website.