Christmas Show Parade, Christchurch 2026

What it is

Christchurch’s Christmas parade has been bringing families together for generations. It began in the late 1940s as Hay’s Christmas Pageant, created by Christchurch retailer James Hay, with storybook characters and nursery-rhyme floats. As the department store changed, the parade became the Haywrights Parade and then the Farmers Santa Parade. In 1991 Farmers gifted it to the city, and the volunteer-run Christchurch Children’s Christmas Parade Trust (also known as SantaTainment) has kept it going ever since.

The big change came with a move to Canterbury Agricultural Park. A festival-style Show Parade planned for 2022 was cancelled by severe weather, so the new format finally debuted on 26 November 2023, when an estimated 30,000 people came. It is now a two-day festival with the parade as its centrepiece.

What to expect on the day

Entry is free. The 2026 festival runs on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, with gates open from 11 am to 4.30 pm both days. Around the parade there are two entertainment stages, amusement rides, a Christmas market with art and craft vendors, displays and a food zone. The parade itself is on Sunday at 2 pm, with the floats and characters the Trust cares for all year: volunteers store, repair, paint and restore them between seasons.

Saturday has the rides, market and entertainment without the parade. Sunday is the full experience: arrive late morning, explore, then find a spot along the route well before 2 pm.

On the site

The 2026 event map (subject to change) shows:

• A fun zone and a noddy train with its own route
• A food zone and drinking water fountains
• An ATM on site
• First aid and an information and lost children point, worth pointing out to children when you arrive
• Toilets, disability parking and a VIP viewing area beside the parade route

Who it suits

Families with young children, grandparents bringing the next generation, and visitors who want a relaxed, very local Christchurch day out.

Getting there

Canterbury Agricultural Park (the Showgrounds) is on the south-west side of Christchurch.

• Saturday: parking is via Curletts Road.
• Sunday: free parking is via the Hayton Road entrance. Disability parking locations are on the event map.
• Free Santa Express: on Sunday only, Bentley Coachlines runs free buses all day from The Hub Hornby, the Christchurch Bus Interchange and Eastgate Mall.

Volunteering

The parade is free because volunteers run it. The Trust looks for safety wardens along the parade route and flag bearers in the parade itself, who get a special parade hi-vis vest or T-shirt. Sign up through the volunteer form on the parade site.

Where to stay

Central Christchurch has the widest choice of beds and puts you a short drive from the Showgrounds and an easy walk to Hagley Park and the city’s restaurants.

Food and what to bring

Bring a picnic or buy food on site. Pack sunscreen, hats and water for the kids, and a picnic rug for watching the parade.

Make a trip of it

Make a weekend of it with our things to do in Christchurch guide. Early December is also a lovely time to start a South Island road trip from Christchurch. Our 14-day South Island itinerary starts here, and our campervan hire costs guide helps if you would like to travel by van.