Break out the mulled wine and Christmas puddings, it’s that time of year again when families get together to eat a lot of food and drink a lot of alcohol to tide them over the festive season. But how should you best spend your time in to get the maximum amount of festivities? We’ve put together a comprehensive list of activities in Auckland for you to up your merrymaking to a ten this holiday. Check them out below!
Let’s Go to the Beach, Each
It may be Christmas, but instead of a winter wonderland, the summery months in Auckland mean it’s the perfect weather to host a barbeque and picnic at the beach. Nothing quite screams bonding time than having fun in the sun together, so grab the family and a pack of cards, and prepare to bask in this lovely weather with a nice 20 pack of wieners for the barbie.
(There’s also a very aptly named Christmas Beach we think you should check out!)
Get into the Christmas Mood
Come experience the magic of the season with Christmas Lights at MOTAT, the museum’s way of counting down to Christmas with 12 magical evenings of festive fun and entertainment. Not only will there be live music and plenty of food trucks, this year’s event also features an outdoor skating rink with affordable prices for 20-minute sessions. A different festive movie will also be playing every single night from 13 – 24 December, so head on down with some pals and get into the Christmas spirit, or just grab some aesthetic pictures for the gram under the fairy lights.
Entry costs $2. Head here for more information about movie scheduling and pricing.
Here Comes Santa Claus
In addition to marvelling at Smith and Caughey’s annual Christmas window display, don’t miss out on the chance to grab a photo with Santa and receive a collectable Christmas tree bauble from 22 November – 24 December.
However, if meeting jolly old Father Christmas isn’t quite your thing, you can still soak in the magical atmosphere with a walk through the Enchanted Forest. Plus of course, for those last-minute shoppers, there is no better place to procure a fine gift from while your children are off meeting Santa.
Experiences are available for purchase on the ground floor of Smith and Caughey’s Queen Street.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
It’s easy to get bummed out over the Christmas season, what with all the frantic gift-buying and get-togethers. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of stressed-out shoppers everywhere with a quiet night under the stars.
Our Night Sky – Christmas Edition at the Stardome Planetarium offers a magical 360-degree tour of the celestial sights visible on the night of your visit. Relax in the serene atmosphere as you explore the astronomical significance of the Christmas star and try your best to spot the Christmas Tree Cluster in the sky.
Bookings online are essential, find out more about Our Night Sky – Christmas Edition running from 1 – 22 December.
Merry Crisis (averted)
If you’ve survived the mad rush of buying everyone you know presents and slaving over that laborious family dinner for weeks, congratulations! This is the day where you finally get to enjoy yourself and all the fruits of your labour. There’s nothing quite like partaking in a giant winter feast until you can’t stand up anymore, so sit back down on your nice comfy couch and relax with a nice beer surrounded by your friends and family as you all settle in to watch the latest Christmas special on TV. And relish in the fact that you don’t have to do all this again until next year.
Merry Christmas!
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