Farmers Santa Parade 2026

What it is

The Farmers Santa Parade is Auckland’s favourite Christmas tradition and, for many families, the start of the festive season. It began in 1933, when thousands of parents and children lined the footpaths for the city’s first real Christmas parade, led by decorated horse-drawn carts. Farmers gifted the parade to Auckland in 1991 and it is now run by the Auckland Children’s Christmas Parade Trust. 2026 is its 93rd year.

Today it draws hundreds of thousands of spectators, with around 4,000 participants and more than 200 floats, characters and performers along a 1.6 km route.

What to expect on the day

• 12 pm to 1 pm, pre-parade: Christmas choirs, bands and interactive characters warm up the crowd.
• 1 pm to 2.30 pm, the parade: floats, favourite characters, musicians, dancers and, at the end, Santa. It takes about an hour to pass any given point.
• 2.30 pm to 5 pm, Santa’s Party: free entertainment in Aotea Square, amusement rides, food stalls and one last chance to see Santa.

New for 2026 is a Grinch float with a giant Mt Crumpit, and Paddington Bear rides in the parade on his own float before a Paddington stage show at Santa’s Party.

A safety line, the Honour Line, is painted along the route. Police ask everyone to stay behind it.

Who it suits

Families with young children above all, but it is a lovely, very local slice of Auckland life for anyone in the city that weekend.

Getting there

Roads in the inner city close from 10 am to 5 pm, bus routes and stops change, and parking is limited, so public transport is the easiest way in. Use the Journey Planner on the Auckland Transport website or AT Mobile app, and allow plenty of extra time. If you are taking the train, flags at height and balloons are not allowed on board.

Auckland Airport is about 21 km from the city centre, roughly 30 minutes by car on a quiet Sunday morning (an estimate).

Where to watch

The organisers’ tip: Mayoral Drive between Cook Street and Queen Street, or Customs Street East. These spots are usually less crowded, with room for a picnic blanket, and they are close to both Santa’s Party and the transport hub. Wherever you go, arrive early.

Where to stay

A central city hotel puts you a short walk from the route and Aotea Square, which is the simplest option with roads closed.

What to bring

A picnic blanket, snacks and water, sunscreen and hats for the kids, and something to sit on while you wait. Bring a little cash or a card if you would like to give to the Duffy Books in Homes collection before the parade.

If the weather turns

A postponement decision is posted by 9 am on parade day on the website and Facebook page. If it is postponed, the parade runs on Sunday 6 December 2026.

Make a trip of it

Our things to do in Auckland guide covers the rest of the city. Auckland is also where most North Island adventures begin. Our 10-day North Island road trip heads north to the beaches and south to Rotorua, and our Hobbiton guide covers the most popular day trip from the city.