Nothing has us feeling more festive than a completely over-the-top display of Christmas lights—this is definitely a case of the more the merrier! Lucky for us Aucklanders, a decent dose of holiday twinkle is never far away.
Grab your nearest and dearest—and a cup of something festive to go—and check out Urban List's pick of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland's best Christmas lights.
Franklin Road
Ponsonby, Auckland
Image credit: Franklin Road Christmas Lights / Supplied
It wouldn't be right to feature a story on Christmas lights without mentioning Franklin Road, which is back in all its festive glory for 2024, hallelujah! What for 11 months of the year looks like any other street in Ponsonby (beautiful, yes, but not particularly festive), is transformed into a truly outstanding display of holiday cheer on 7 December.
Considered by many to be Auckland's best Christmas light display, you'll be hard-pressed to find a house that doesn't join in the celebrations; which spill onto the surrounding streets and even include local businesses (who else remembers the orthodontist's giant Santa, complete with light-up braces?).
Make the pilgrimage on foot and you'll also be rewarded with gardens covered in baubles, carollers singing from front doors, and even the odd bit of (fake) snow. The Franklin Road Christmas lights will be switched on every night from the 7th of December between 7:30 and 10 pm, ending Christmas Eve.
Glenbrook Vintage Railway
135 Glenbrook Station Road, Waiuku, Auckland
Image credit: Glenbrook Vintage Railway / Jo Brightwell Photography
Polar Express fans, eat your heart out because Glenbrook Vintage Railway is getting fully lit this Christmas, and yes—that includes their beautiful heritage trains.
Part of their award-winning Counties Energy Christmas Lights—Trains At Night event, they'll also be decking out the train station and surrounding buildings in full festive dress and putting on Christmas night markets complete with food trucks, free pics with Santa, and more between 6-8 and 12-23 December, from 6-11 pm (last entry is at 10.25 pm).
Smith & Caughey's
253/261 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Smith & Caughey's / Facebook
This one's less about the Christmas lights and more about the experience as a whole, but we love it just the same. And we're not the only ones—Aucklanders look forward to the festive celebrations at Smith & Caughey's all year long, headlined by an amazing animated window display based on a children's book (this year's theme is 'The Adventures of Hutu and Kawa’, written and illustrated by Kiwi Avis Acres) and strings of pretty lights that give the city an instant injection of holiday cheer.
For more festive feels, be sure to check out the gorgeous range of Christmas decorations and other holiday goodies in-store, or for $24-$30 why not visit Santa himself via an enchanted forest walk-through (trust us, it's worth it).
Finally, don't forget to take a wander down Queen Street to check out some of the city's other cool Christmas installations (including—you guessed it—more lights).
MOTAT Museum Of Transport And Technology
805 Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland
Image credit: MOTAT / Facebook
MOTAT is moving into full holiday mode come December, transforming into a magical, light-filled wonderland for 12 incredible nights in the lead-up to Christmas. Its heritage buildings always look extra pretty covered in Christmas lights, as do its iconic trams.
Live music (including legit Christmas carollers) and entertainment (including outdoor games and a visit from Santa) will add to the festivities; along with a fleet of food trucks slinging delicious kai. Please note that tickets for this event, which come in at a very merry $3-$6, must be purchased online.
Mercy Hospice
61 College Hill, Ponsonby, Auckland
Image credit: Mercy Hospice / Facebook
Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also a time when many of us will be thinking about loved ones who are no longer here to share in the festivities. Mercy Hospice invites you to celebrate their memory (and hopefully put a smile on your face in the process) with their magical Lights to Remember display.
Their beautiful grounds, overlooking the city in St Mary's Bay, will be transformed into a garden of cascading lights that's open every day from 5-22 December, between 8-10:30 pm.
What's really special about this one is that each light represents an enduring bond with a loved one—for a donation, visitors are invited to dedicate a light to friends and family who have passed away, in the form of a short message. Afterwards you might like to trot two minutes to The College Hill Wine Room to raise a glass in their honour.
For those who can't make it along to the hospice grounds (or who live outside of Auckland), you can also do this via the Mercy Hospice website.
The Sky Tower
Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD
Image credit: SkyCity Entertainment / Supplied
Te Manaaki Christmas Tree
Te Komititanga, Auckland CBD
Looking for more festive fun? Check out:
- Christmas Markets To Add To Your Hit List
- Best Adult Advent Calendars
- Where To Get Your Christmas Tree
Main image credit: Franklin Road Christmas Lights | Supplied
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