New Zealand Christmas Events 2018

In New Zealand, Christmas is a definite cause for celebration. Everyone gets in on the act – from the very young to the very old, from locals to visitors from far away. Events run from small to medium to extravagant. Many of them are free, which is good news for visitors on a budget. To save aggravation while you celebrate and be sure that you arrive at all your destinations on time, book mini bus hire in New Zealand.

Christmas in the Park by Coca-Cola

December 8 is not only a Saturday, it is the day of Christmas in the Park by Coca-Cola. Held from 7 PM until 10:05 PM on Grafton Auckland’s Auckland Domain, it is the biggest free outdoor party of the nation at which to celebrate Christmas. The country’s top musicians and dancers will ignite the big stage in Auckland and Christchurch performing the hottest and most favourite Christmas pieces. This year, they celebrate 25 years of joy and invite both friends and family to join them. This year’s event supports Youth Line, so Coca-Cola asks that you give a gold coin donation or buy a light stick for the cause.

The 2018 Mount Eden Christmas Party

This year featuring The Rob Roy Band, from 8 PM until 11 PM on Saturday December 8, the Mount Eden Christmas Party kicks off. Held at The Horse and Trap (in Mount Eden Auckland), it’s astonishing that something this incredible should be free – but free it is. There will be a live band, fantastic food, and craft beer. Freestyle jamming and “stand and deliver” vocals are what sets the five-piece classic rock unit called The Rob Roy Band aside from others. Starting sometime in 2019, they will be recording an album of party songs that encourage everyone to sing along and stomp their feet.

2018 Santa Parade At Blockhouse Bay Market

Begin celebrating at 9:30 AM, then get ready to see Santa! In Blockhouse Bay Auckland, at the Blockhouse Bay Village Market location, a parade will be held beginning at 10:45 in the morning. Attractions include clowns, balloons, face painting, a bouncy castle, and other forms of entertainment. This is the perfect place to take the kids.

The Christmas Carnival

From 2 PM to 5 PM, on Saturday December 8, at Wellington Region’s Te Rauparaha Park, the Christmas Carnival takes place. Not only is Santa Claus coming to town, he’s bringing an entire carnival with him full of bouncy attractions, a giant game area, Sarah the Scientist, face painting, arts and crafts, and more. Pop-Up Carols, circus performers, stilt walkers, balloon animal artists, and jugglers will keep all ages entertained. And finally, at 2:30 PM, the man you’ve all been waiting for – Santa arrives.

The Christmas Shoppe

Still have Christmas shopping to do? No problem, because from 10 AM until 8 PM – that’s an entire day of shopping, folks – on Saturday December 8, at Hawkes Bay/Gisborne’s Taradale Town Hall you will find the Christmas Shoppe. This breathtaking environment houses the best smells, sounds, and sites of Christmas 2018. This shop is of the “pop-up” variety so is only open for a week. There will be 30 dressed and individually themed trees, decorations, gifts galore, and more. No matter what your taste in Christmas is, there’s something here for you. Proceeds this year will benefit the Child Cancer Foundation.

2018 Coast-To-Coast Motorcycle Ride – Woodville Christmas Parade

Yes, it’s another parade and, again, it will be held on Saturday December 8. In Woodville Tararua, at Fountaine Square, the parade officially kicks off at 11:30 in the morning. Float competition this year will include three categories – education, commercial, and community. All ages are welcome to attend, look around at the market stalls, and enjoy all of the free activities while the Lions Coast-To-Coast Riders impress everyone with their biker skills.

The following may involve tickets or some kind of cover charge.

The Shotover Jet Christmas Show

From 1 PM to 5 PM, on Sunday December 9, in Frankton, Queenstown, at the Queenstown Events Centre you will find the “Queenstown Christmas Stars”. Admission prices are as follows: children under five are free, adult admission is $15 plus tax, family admission $35 plus tax, children over five are $5 plus tax. Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas as a giant teddy bear and world-famous entertainers delight the crowd. This year, dance performances and toe-tapping songs will be performed by “The Men’s Ballet Troupe”.

2018’s Christmas at the Lake

The last event we will look at is held in Hamilton Waikato at The Veranda Café and Function Centre, from 6:30 PM to 12 AM, on Saturday December 8. Admission prices are as follows: general admission is $85; general admission plus a beverage package is $133. This event features a variety of sweet treats of all kinds, dancing and live music, and bar snacks when you arrive. Later on, a three-course menu will serve up sumptuous creations followed by tea and coffee. Clearly, this event is not for those on a budget. But the quality of the event alone is well worth the admission price.  

The Christmas Light Show in Christchurch

In Christchurch New Zealand, there are still a few dates left during which to attend the Christmas Light Show. The following dates all have the same attendance times – 8:30 PM until 12 AM:  Friday, December 7, Saturday, December 8, Sunday, December 9, Monday, December 10, and Tuesday, December 11. The address for the event is 650 Shands Rd. and the price at the door is five dollars. In all of New Zealand, this is one of the biggest, most extravagant synchronized light shows ever. The music selection will cover classic, country, and rock played by various New Zealand bands. The White Christmas theme, this year’s, will feature animated displays. And while you may not hear any Christmas music per se, all of this celebration and festive lighting can’t help but get you in the mood.  

To save yourself the trouble of trying to find your way to strange locations and streets unknown, make sure to consider minibus hire in New Zealand. It’s the only way to go!