It was a beautiful Sunday morning as thousands gathered with their picnic chairs, mats and drinks on Queen Street, Auckland for the 82nd Santa Parade 2015. The carnival started at 1 p.m. with three massive Farmer balloons hovering on the boulevard followed by skaters clad in red angel dresses, gift-wrapped Christmas-themed car and a small girl riding a unicorn.
The crowd greeted their favourite cartoon characters— the minions, chipmunks, Charlie Brown and Snoopy and Cookie Bears—with applause and hoots. This year’s new attractions were Children of the World River Rhapsody, Flower Power, Dancing Zombies with Monster Mash, Sebastian the Sea Serpent and Pohutukawa trees. The parade concluded with the Santa sleigh on an ice block with reindeers and a Kiwi. Families undeniably had a great time, with party poppers bursting on the streets and clowns greeting the kids on the block. The Christmas celebrations have begun!