Archived: City Centre Christmas Walking Trails

Make the most of early summer evenings and enjoy our city’s most loved Christmas attractions on foot.

These Christmas trails take in old favourites including the Smith and Caughey’s Christmas window, Queen Street Santa and the Franklin Road lights, as well as new favourites like Silo Park and SKYCITY with some sweet surprises in between. 

Discover how easy and enjoyable it is to walk into and around the city centre with the Christmas walking trails map. Alternatively, you can pick up a hard copy from the Central Library, Council service centre, or i-site.

Christmas Attractions in the City

Aotea Square Resene Present
There are six kiwi themed Resene presents around the city centre, can you find them all?

Auckland Live Christmas Tree
Check out Auckland’s Christmas tree in the heart of the city and enjoy some great entertainment from the Auckland Live Summer in the Square programme.

Smith & Caughey’s enchanting Christmas: A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a walk past Smith and Caughey’s annual Queen St Christmas windows. This year’s hand-crafted puppets, twinkling lights and magical Christmas decorations are the perfect way to welcome in the festive season.

Elliott Street Angels
Look up! Can you spot all nine of the multi-coloured angels hanging in the trees of Elliott Street?

SKYCITY Christmas Wonderland
Be captivated by Christmas at SKYCITY in an enchanting festive Wonderland pop-up celebrating the magic of Christmas.

Silo Park
From 21 to 24th December, celebrate Christmas Silo - style with festive and funky music, games and activities for all ages and your favourite street food served with a festive twist.

Queens Wharf Resene Present
Seek out this Resene Chistmas present on Queens Wharf and catch a glimpse of the surprise inside.

Jean Batten Place
Resene Present Another kiwi-christmas themed present to discover.

O’Connell St and Chancery Square Resene Presents
Two more of the Resene presents around the city centre, can you find all six? Be sure to look inside! Each have something fun and different to discover.

Freyberg Place – Giant Bauble
A larger than life bauble flickers and shines in the fabulous new and improved Freyberg Place.

Vulcan Lane Fairy Lights, Globes, Doves and Giant Bauble
In the early evening sit outside at one of the great Vulcan Lane bars and eateries and enjoy the gorgeous glowing dove and globe installation as the colours change.

Durham St East – Fairy Lights, Globes and Doves
Look up and admire the gorgeous glowing dove and globe installation. Watch the colours change above as you wander past the great Durham St East bars during the early evening.

Te ha o Hine (formerly Khartoum Place) Resene Present
What Christmas surprise lies inside this Resene present?

Queen Street – Santa and his Reindeer
See the giant Santa and his reindeer high up on their perch on the corner of Queen St and Victoria St East. At 6 tonnes, 19.5m tall and 8m wide you can’t miss him. Santa has been around in Auckland since 1960 which makes him 57 years old this year!