Event details
Sat 25 Nov (rain day Sun 26 Nov) | 11am – 5pm | Midland Park | Crafts Activities and Face Painting.
Sat 2 Dec (rain day Sun 3 Dec) | 11am – 5pm | Glover Park | Music – from carols to hip-hop.
Sat 9 Dec (rain day Sun 10 Dec) | 11am – 5pm | Queens Wharf Plaza | A Circus Extravaganza by COLOSSAL and street busking.
Sat 16 Dec (rain day Sun 17 Dec) | 11am – 5pm | Waitangi Park | Santa’s arrival and activities.
The CBD will also be dressed for Christmas with city-wide Christmas-themed flags, and three Christmas trees – Queens Wharf Plaza, Courtenay Place, and Midland Park. The Bucket Fountain on Cuba Mall will also be lit up to celebrate the silly season.
There won’t be any road closures for these events, but the public are encouraged to walk, bike, or use public transport to come to the events as parking may be limited.
All venues are accessible, and accessible toilets are available.
In the event of bad weather, the postponement date for each event is 11am-5pm on the Sunday directly after each event.
For more information visit wellington.govt.nz/christmas and keep an eye on Council’s social media channels for updates.
Don’t forget WellingtonNZ’s digital Wellington Advent Calendar is back to open doors from 1 December with 24 outstanding retail and hospitality offers valid until the end of February 2024. Last year nearly more than 270,000 advent calendar vouchers were redeemed.
History of Christmas events in Wellington
The first Wellington Santa Parade was held in 1949, it followed a short route around the Basin Reserve.
It grew from there, and at its peak there were about 50 floats and performers running from Ballance St, down Lambton Quay, onto Victoria St and along Manners St.
In 2016 a new format was introduced, with A Very Welly Christmas turning Lambton Quay into a winter wonderland for two days of festivities.
While there is no full Christmas Parade anymore, Santa will arrive in a small walking parade on Saturday 16 December at Waitangi Park.