Farmers Santa Parade
Spectators can line the streets to watch a vibrant procession of colourful floats, costumed characters, dancers, and marching musicians culminate with Santa Claus. Highlights include character floats such as Paddington Bear and the Grinch atop Mt. Crumpit. Following the procession, visitors can head to Santa's Party to enjoy stage shows, amusement rides, and food stalls.
What to Expect
Auckland's long-running holiday parade featuring floats, marching bands, and Santa.
Event Details
Duration
Parade: 1.00pm – 2.30pm; the route takes approximately 1 hour to pass any given point.
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Auckland CBD
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Auckland Children's Christmas Parade Trust
Food & Drink
Food stalls are available at Santa’s Party.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with children
Vibe
Festive, lively, family-focused
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
Free
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Free.
- Hours: Pre-Parade Entertainment: 12pm; Parade: 1pm.
- Parking: Inner-city roads are closed for most of parade day, so come in by bus, train or ferry.
Tips & Advice
- Arrive early and claim a spot on Mayoral Drive or Customs Street East, where there's usually room for a picnic blanket.
- Inner-city roads close well before the parade starts, so get into the city early in the morning or come by bus, train or ferry.
- Kids under 13 travel free on public transport, but children over five need a registered HOP card, so sort that out before parade day.
- Flags on tall poles and balloons aren't allowed on the train, so leave them at home if you're travelling by rail.
- Stay behind the painted honour line along the route, as Police ask, and bring something to give to the Duffy Books in Homes collection.
Special Events & Promotions
- New this year: a brand-new Grinch float with the Grinch on top of a larger-than-life Mt. Crumpit.
- Paddington Bear rides his own float, then appears in a special Paddington Bear stage show at Santa's Party in Aotea Square.
- Before the parade there's a collection for charity partner Duffy Books in Homes.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the parade for?
It's a free family event for all ages. Expect colourful floats, favourite characters, musicians, dancers and Santa Claus himself.
What's new at the parade this year?
A brand-new Grinch float joins the line-up, with the Grinch standing on top of a giant Mt. Crumpit. Paddington Bear also rides through the streets on his own float.
Where are the best spots to watch from?
Try Mayoral Drive between Cook Street and Queen Street, or Customs Street East. There's usually room to lay down a picnic blanket, and you can walk to Santa's Party or the transport hub afterwards.
How long does the parade take to go past?
The route is 1.6km long, and the parade takes about an hour to pass any one point. Pre-parade entertainment with Christmas choirs, bands and interactive characters comes first.
What happens if the weather is bad?
A postponement decision is announced on the morning of the parade on the parade website and Facebook page. If it's postponed, the parade moves to Sunday 6 December.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.