‘Tis the Season to Be Festive ...
The festive season kicks-off this weekend with Christmas trees appearing in the capital, then Santa will be popping up
all over the place, and there’ll be free events and activities happening around the city for all to enjoy.
We’re proud supporters of these events, so here are some highlights to add to your calendar:
• Sat 18 & Sun 19 Nov | Christmas trees will be installed in Midland Park this Saturday 18 November, and in Courtenay Place on
Sunday 19 November
• Sat 25 & Sun 26 Nov | A Very Welly Christmas – Wellington’s bold new Christmas festival returns to Lambton Quay for the weekend of25 & 26 November
• Sat 25 Nov | Celebrate Thanksgiving with "Everybody's Table" – a free community meal from 1pm at the old Caltex site
in Newtown
• Sat 2 Dec | Join thousands of other spectators to witness the family friendly annual Christmas parades happening in
both Johnsonville (11am) and Tawa (2pm)
• Weds 6 Dec | Strathmore Christmas in the Park – head to Raukawa Reserve from 4pm-7pm for an afternoon of free festive
fun
• Sat 9 Dec | Get into the festive spirit with a Christmas tree lighting and carols from 6.30pm at Carrara Park in
Newtown
• 12-21 Dec | Toi Pōneke’s Toi Two Hundy annual art show is a chance for Christmas shoppers to grab a last-minute art bargain, with all artworks
$200 or under
• Sun 17 Dec | Celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, with live performances, kids’ activities and a
traditional candle-lighting ceremony from 11am-2pm in the Soundshell in the Botanic Garden
• Mon 25 Dec | Everyone’s welcome at a Christmas Day picnic and service at Carrara Park in Newtown – service starts at
10am, and lunch from midday
• Sun 31 Dec | See in the New Year with a night of music, food, and fireworks on the waterfront from 8pm–12 midnight
• 9-28 Jan | Gardens Magic returns to the Botanic Garden Soundshell in January 2018. Enjoy summer nights with
Wellington’s iconic concert series featuring the sounds of Aotearoa’s best and brightest talent
• Weds 22 Nov | The Pop-Up Village will be opening for summer along the waterfront
• Every Weds | Get into the festive spirit with songs and community at "Everybody's choir" – every Wednesday from
10.30am-11.30am at199 Riddiford Street
• Take the kids along to Christmas storytimes at a library near you
• Spot the festive spirit in the Cable Car LED lightshow, and they’ll be running some Christmas themed competitions and events too
• There are six weeks of school holiday activities happening at our recreation centres, pools, community centres,
libraries and botanic gardens – check out what’s available here
ENDS