5. Silo Park's Night Market will be on each Friday in December, from 5pm followed by the Silo Outdoor Cinema at 9pm.
6. Santa's Grotto at Smith and Caughey's, Level 6, Queen Street. Santa will be there daily until Christmas Eve for wish lists to be rectified and photos to be taken. The delightful window displays are not to be missed either.
7. Telecom Christmas Tree in Victoria Park, after 5 years running, it's become an Auckland tradition, and we love it. This year your best bet is to park in downtown (just $2 per hour, evenings and weekends, to a maximum of $8) check out the Queen Street lights, wander through the viaduct across Te Wero bridge along to North Wharf, check out the stunning Silo's with poetry by CK Stead. Marvel at Wynyard's Advent Calendar, then cross the road to Victoria Park to end your spectacular Christmas trail under the Telecom Christmas Tree.
8. BIG little City Rides of the Christmas Lights and Sights, if seeing all the Christmas sights of the central city sounds like a bit too much walking for you - flag down or call a pedi-bike cab. For $5 per person go on a tour of the city's Christmas lights and favourite sights. 0800 422 453.
9. Santa on Whitcoulls Corner, after 53 years, our giant Santa is an icon, it just wouldn't be Christmas in Auckland city without him. Make sure you give him a wink while you are shopping, he can't wink back any longer, some would say sadly, others would say thankfully.. but we think the big guy des4erves a respectful nod none-the-less.
10. Doves in Durham and Angels on Elliot - we couldn't decide, but whether you meet for your Christmas catch-up in the casual chic of Mezze Bar in Durham Lane or a bite to eat at Elliot Stables, enjoy the Christmas cheer of our city's beautiful decorations.