A number of events have been diaried across almost every suburb in Auckland and other cities in the next two weeks to get into the groove of Christmas celebrations.
The Christmas season is welcomed by every almost suburb in the country with Santa Parades, Christmas Carnivals, community gatherings and Santa to pose for pictures with shoppers at the malls.
Every city plans for a big Santa parade to serenade the communities, the participation of whom, both as participants and spectators is vital for the success of the events. Same goes with the weather conditions as Auckland’s Farmers Santa Parade postponed its previously scheduled parade from Sunday, November 25 to December 2.
Star Wars characters at the Christchurch Christmas Parade (Image: NZ Herald)
Encounter Christian Centre in Avondale will be hosting their fourth Christmas event ‘Avondale Community Christmas Carnival’ on Saturday, December 15. The organisers expect 600-700 people to the event to be held at a multi-cultural family oriented church at 495 Rosebank Rd, Avondale. The event starts at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We are pleased to collaborate with other groups in our community as part of the Avondale Collaboration.\
“The Whau Local Board supports us with funding for two carnival rides, the teacup and saucer and the pirate ship. This year the Rosebank Business Association has sponsored candyfloss, popcorn and a sausage sizzle,” event coordinator Melissa Yalomatua told The Indian Weekender.
Santa boarded on a sledge at the Hamilton Santa Parade (Image: NZ Herald
The event aims to provide a safe, fun and exciting place for families in our community to come together and celebrate Christmas. Most of the activities at the event are free, including face painting, bouncy castles, carnival games, carnival rides and other entertainment.
The organisers are also hosting a Christmas Party and Feast on Tuesday, December 25 at the same venue for the communities which is going to be another fun event for the families and it includes bouncy castles, games, and other gifts for all the children. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“This is a free party and feast on Christmas Day designed to give those that can't afford Christmas or who don't have anyone to celebrate with, to come together and celebrate Christmas,” Ms Yalomutau added
Avondale Christmas Carnival (Image from 2017, supplied by Encounter Christian Centre
The Blockhouse Bay Business Association will host its Parade on Saturday, December 8 from 527 Blockhouse Bay Road. The entertainment at the event starts at 9:30 a.m. on the Village Green with local groups performing for the audience, followed by the parade from 10:45 a.m.
The Otahuhu Community will host its Christmas Carnival on Saturday, December 8 on King Street in Otahuhu.
“Otahuhu Christmas Carnival is back for another amazing year with more entertainment, music, food, giveaways and rides for you and your family and of course Santa will be there for the audience,” organisers of the event said.
Tanaya Solanki, 4, with her dad Utkarsh Solanki at this year_s Auckland Farmers Santa Parade. (Photo -Vaimoana Tapaleao/NZ Herald)
Henderson-Massey Local Board will also host their Christmas Carnival to entertain the community of the West Auckland on Sunday, December 16 from noon to 4 p.m. The event will be held at Henderson Park with musical performances, amazing food, activities for children such as face-painting, and festival rides including land zorb races, the adrenaline maze and cannonball blasters.
Cities like Christchurch, Hamilton, Nelson, Auckland and Cambridge in Waikato also hosted their Santa Parade event, and Kaitaia in the North will host on Saturday, December 15.
TIV Sangam, a Fiji Community group at ChCh Santa Parade (Image: Facebook)
The Auckland’s Santa Parade on December 2 marked its 85th anniversary this year and started the parade from Federal Street and Mayoral Drive in the CBD crossing Aotea Square down to the end of Queen Street.
People turned up in thousands with their Santa caps on, docked themselves with the children on two sides o street to witness the grand event. The activities at the event included a huge sledge with life-size, and Santa mounted on the icy snowboard waving at the crowd, T-Rex dinosaur parading, musical bands, clowns, massive Kermit balloon hanging over Queen Street, lifesize balloon train etc.
Santa Claus at Auckland Famers Santa Parade (Image: NZ Herald/Michael Craig)
Papatoetoe in South Auckland hosted its parade on Wednesday, December 5.
Returning after seven years, communities in Christchurch came together to the CBD to celebrate Santa Parade. Organised after seven years gap after the earthquake in 2011, thousands came to the streets braving winds and light rain to enjoy the annual event. Christchurch Sikh Community and Jalsa Fiji Radio also participated in the parade held in the CBD.
Christchurch Sikh Community at ChCh Santa Parade (Image: Facebook)
People came out on Sunday, December 2 on Anglesea Streets in Hamilton to witness the mega event.
The event on Saturday, December 15 at Kaitaia includes a mini Christmas festival with food stalls, Santa photos and a three-on-three basketball tournament, all held at the old Pak'nSave carpark.
Events to watch out for:
Blockhouse Bay Christmas Parade:
Saturday, December 8, 527 Blockhouse Bay Road, 9:30 a.m. onwards
Avondale Community Christmas Carnival:
Saturday, December 15, 495 Rosebank Road, Avondale, 11 a.m onwards
Henderson Christmas Festival:
Sunday, December 16, Henderson Park, 12 p.m, to 4 p.m.
Otahuhu Christmas Carnival: King Street, Otahuhu, 11 a.m. onwards
Avondale Christmas Feast:
Tuesday, December 25, 495 Rosebank Road, Avondale, 11 a.m. onwards