Excited for holiday fun in Napier-Hastings? Our guide will lead you to all the festive activities!
One must-visit attraction is The Christmas Wonderland, where dazzling lights and enchanting displays create a magical experience for all ages. Featuring thrilling horse races and festive entertainment, Hawke's Bay Christmas at the Races offers a unique holiday outing. And the Napier Christmas Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, with vibrant floats and marching bands bringing holiday cheer to the streets. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Napier-Hastings Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Napier-Hastings
See these and even more events listed below!Nearby Events
The Christmas Wonderland (Napier)
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas village with live reindeer
Description:
The Christmas Wonderland transforms Napier into a bustling North Pole outpost. Visitors can feed live reindeer, a rare sight in New Zealand. The event pays homage to Napier's Art Deco heritage, incorporating 1930s-inspired decorations throughout. Children delight in writing letters to Santa at the vintage post office. The aroma of freshly baked gingerbread wafts through the air, enticing guests to sample local treats. This celebration brings a touch of winter charm to the southern hemisphere's summer season.
Website:
Hawke's Bay Christmas at the Races (Hastings)
What to Expect:
Combines horse racing with Christmas celebrations
Description:
Hawke's Bay Christmas at the Races gallops into the holiday season with a unique blend of equestrian excitement and yuletide cheer. Spectators don their finest attire, adorned with festive touches, as they cheer on thundering hooves. The event showcases local wines, a nod to the region's renowned vineyards. You can place bets on races with holiday-themed names. This tradition dates back to the early 20th century, when horse racing was a popular Christmas Day activity in New Zealand.
Website:
Hawke's Bay Christmas at the Races
Napier Christmas Parade (Napier)
What to Expect:
Art Deco-themed floats and costumes
Description:
Napier's Christmas Parade marches through the streets with a distinctive Art Deco flair. Floats and costumes reflect the city's famous architectural style, creating a visual spectacle that's uniquely Napier. The parade features local school bands playing jazz-inspired carols, echoing the sounds of the 1930s. Spectators can join in a Charleston dance competition during parade breaks. This event celebrates Napier's resilience, commemorating the city's rebirth after the 1931 earthquake that led to its Art Deco reconstruction.
Website:
Carols in the Park (Napier)
What to Expect:
Incorporates Maori Christmas songs
Description:
Carols in the Park resonates with the harmonious blend of traditional and Maori Christmas songs. The event takes place in Napier's historic Marine Parade Gardens, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Attendees can participate in a lantern-making workshop, creating unique decorations to illuminate the night. The caroling tradition in Napier dates back to the early settlers, who brought this custom from England. Local choirs perform, their voices carrying across the balmy summer evening, creating a distinctly New Zealand holiday atmosphere.
Website:
Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market Christmas Edition (Hastings)
What to Expect:
Showcases unique local produce and artisanal Christmas goods
Description:
The Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market Christmas Edition bursts with local flavors and handcrafted holiday treasures. Vendors offer seasonal delicacies like feijoa-infused Christmas cakes and locally-raised turkey. Artisans showcase their skills with live demonstrations of traditional Maori weaving techniques for Christmas decorations. The market's roots trace back to the region's agricultural heritage, celebrating over a century of farming traditions. Visitors can sample award-winning Hawke's Bay wines paired with festive cheeses, embodying the region's gastronomic excellence.
Website:
Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market Christmas Edition
Deco Bay Brass Christmas Concert (Napier)
What to Expect:
Brass band performance in an Art Deco setting
Description:
The Deco Bay Brass Christmas Concert fills Napier's iconic Art Deco theatre with resonant holiday melodies. The band, dressed in 1930s-inspired uniforms, performs on vintage instruments, some dating back to the city's reconstruction era. Audiences are treated to a unique rendition of "Silent Night" played on a rare set of handbells. The concert honors Napier's musical heritage, which flourished during the Art Deco rebuilding period. You'll be transported to a bygone era as the rich, brassy tones evoke the spirit of a classic Christmas.
Website:
Deco Bay Brass Christmas Concert
Hastings Christmas Grotto (Hastings)
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling experience in a Maori-inspired setting
Description:
Hastings Christmas Grotto immerses visitors in a unique narrative blending European Christmas tales with Maori legends. The grotto's design incorporates traditional Maori art and symbolism, creating a distinctly New Zealand holiday experience. Children can participate in a treasure hunt, searching for hidden pounamu (greenstone) ornaments. This event celebrates the cultural diversity of Hastings, reflecting its history as a meeting point of Maori and European traditions. The scent of kawakawa tea, a traditional Maori beverage, fills the air, offering a soothing respite for adults.
Website:
Taradale Village Fayre (Napier)
What to Expect:
Recreates a Victorian-era Christmas fair
Description:
The Taradale Village Fayre transports visitors to a 19th-century yuletide celebration. Costumed actors roam the streets, bringing Victorian-era characters to life. Visitors can try their hand at traditional crafts like candle dipping and wreath making. The fayre pays homage to Taradale's colonial history, with many activities based on the area's early settler traditions. Local musicians perform on period instruments, filling the air with the authentic sounds of a bygone Christmas. You'll find yourself stepping back in time as you explore this meticulously recreated historical holiday experience.
Website:
Napier Urban Farmers' Market Christmas Special (Napier)
What to Expect:
Focuses on sustainable and eco-friendly Christmas products
Description:
Napier's Urban Farmers' Market Christmas Special champions sustainability with an array of eco-friendly holiday offerings. Vendors showcase innovative gifts made from recycled materials, reflecting Napier's commitment to environmental conservation. Visitors can participate in a workshop on creating zero-waste Christmas decorations. The market highlights the region's progress in sustainable agriculture, featuring products from local organic farms. The aroma of spiced apple cider, made from Hawke's Bay apples, entices shoppers as they browse the green-minded stalls.
Website:
Napier Urban Farmers' Market Christmas Special
Christmas Lights Trail (Hastings)
What to Expect:
Combines light displays with local wine tasting
Description:
The Christmas Lights Trail in Hastings illuminates the night with a unique blend of visual splendor and viticultural delights. As you stroll through the twinkling displays, local wineries offer tastings of their finest vintages at designated stops. The trail incorporates lighting designs inspired by Maori art, honoring the region's indigenous heritage. Visitors can participate in a photo scavenger hunt, capturing specific light installations for prizes. This event celebrates Hastings' dual identity as a Christmas destination and a renowned wine region, creating a sensory experience that delights both the eyes and the palate.
Website:
Christmas Craft Market (Napier)
What to Expect:
Showcases traditional Maori crafts alongside contemporary Christmas items
Description:
The Christmas Craft Market in Napier bridges cultural traditions with a diverse array of handmade goods. Skilled Maori artisans demonstrate traditional weaving and carving techniques, creating unique Christmas decorations. Visitors can try their hand at flax weaving, learning to make a simple ornament. The market honors Napier's rich artistic heritage, which flourished following the city's Art Deco rebuild. Local food vendors offer modern twists on traditional Maori and European Christmas dishes, tantalizing taste buds with fusion flavors. You'll discover a treasure trove of gifts that blend New Zealand's diverse cultural influences.