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With so much festive entertainment on in the Auckland region over the next few weeks, we've done the research for you and come up with 12 top things to do to celebrate the Christmas season.
1. Christmas at the Zoo
Celebrate the festive season at Auckland Zoo with roving entertainers, caroling elves, face-painting, and the famous singing Santa show!
Along with the Christmas concert, there will be special animal encounters, where you can see our animals enjoying their presents.
The Minions characters and the Popsicle Experience will be adding to the fun on the band rotunda lawns, thanks to TipTop.
When: Saturday 5 December 2015, 5pm - 8pm
Where: Auckland Zoo, Motions Road, Western Spring
Cost: Adults $28, Children $12
2. Christmas Parades
Heralding the start of the Christmas season, Farmers Santa Parade will head down Queen Street in the CBD on November 29.
If it rains the parade will be held the week after on December 6.
The parade will start on Mayoral Drive then head along Queen Street, Customs Street West and Albert Street.
Expect to also see large Sesame Street helium balloons, lively marching bands, and much more.
The Christmas cheer continues straight after the parade at Santa's Party - a party for everyone.
There will be a whole line-up of family entertainment with singing, dancing, character costumes and Santa himself.
When: Sunday 29 November 2015, 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Where: Parade route: Mayoral Drive, Queen Street, Customs Street West and Albert Street
Cost:Free
There are plenty of other parades around the region, along with Christmas carols and fairs. For a full comprehensive list, head here.
3. Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park
Gather your friends and family for a magical night under the stars and enjoy star-studded entertainment and fabulous fireworks.
This year, Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park will feature performances by Avalanche City, Jessica Mauboy, Caleb Jago-Ward, Vince Harder, Ben Lummis, Lavina Williams, Esther Stephens and many more.
When: Saturday 12 December 2015, 7.30pm -10.00pm
Where: Auckland Domain
Cost: Free
4. Auckland Choral: Messiah
What would Christmas be without Handel's Messiah? A hit from its first performance in 1742, the Messiah is performed by choral groups large and small around the globe every year, and remains the post popular oratorio of all time.
With well-loved solos and choruses such as "Hallelujah," "For Unto Us a Child is Born," "Rejoice Greatly" and the final "Amen Chorus" Handel's Messiah never fails to move its audience.
This year's Messiah will feature soloists Marlena Devoe (soprano), Wendy Dawn Thompson (mezzo-soprano), David Hamilton (tenor), Martin Snell (bass), with Auckland Choral's own Pipers Sinfonia under the baton of Uwe Grodd.
When: Monday, December 14 7.30pm-9.30pm
Where: Auckland Town Hall
Cost: $34-$89
5. APO Celebrate Christmas
The spirit of Christmas comes to Auckland in the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra's annual celebration of carols and Yuletide cheer.
Join the APO as it combines forces with the Graduate Choir NZ and mezzo-soprano Sarah Castle to celebrate the festive season in the beautiful and historic Holy Trinity Cathedral.
When: Friday 11 December, 7.30pm and Saturday 12 December, 3pm
Where: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Corner St Stephens Ave and Parnell Road, Parnell
Cost: $26-$59
Booking details: Book online http://apo.co.nz/ or call 09 623 1052
6. MOTAT Nights, Christmas Lights
Celebrate the spirit of giving at Christmas Lights, MOTAT Nights. All proceeds go towards buying children's gifts for charity.
This fun-filled event has become a firm favourite on the seasonal calendar as it celebrates Christmas and the gift of giving.
Bring the family along to experience the museum's heritage buildings, streetscapes and trams beautifully lit up with sparkling fairy lights.
There will be a myriad of things to see and do, with live entertainment, tram rides, outdoor movies (weather permitting, 18-24 December, from 9pm) and traditional Christmas treats such as mulled wine and cake pops on sale.
When: 8pm - 11pm 11 - 13 December and 18 - 24 December
Where: MOTAT, Western Springs
7. Wynyard Christmas Quarter
From Friday 4 December, children of all ages will be able to visit Santa's incredible customised bach (built into Silo 7); helping Santa and his team get ready for the big delivery night on 24 December.
Silo Cinema returns in December, when you can catch all your favourite Christmas classics every Friday night. Alongside the Silo Cinema, pop by the Christmas-themed Silo Markets and collect gifts and goodies especially for the festive season.
The Wynyard Christmas Quarter will host fun-filled family events - with plenty of food vendors, Christmas Markets, music and surprises.
When: 4-24 December, 9am-5pm
Where: Silo Park, Jellicoe Street, Wynyard Quarter
Cost: Free
8. Auckland Welsh Choir Christmas Concert
If Christmas is about family and children, then the Auckland Welsh Choir Christmas Concert is a perfect start.
Featuring the angelic voice of 8-year-old boy soprano Lukas Maher, as well as four separate ensembles from One Tree Hill College, the choir's first ever festive Christmas concert will present a great line-up of talent.
With focus on fundraising for KidzFirst Hospital, it will showcase outstanding young musicians in combination with the seasoned singers of Cor Cymreig Auckland, who present their usual solo and choral performance.
Well-loved music abounds, accompanied by piano or organ or sung a cappella. Some of the city's finest young brass players will provide backings and fanfares in true medieval style for traditional carols, and the beautiful contemporary music of John Rutter will take a well-deserved place alongside other popular classics.
When: Sunday 6 December, 3-5pm
Where: St Columba Church, 480 Ti Rakau Drive, Botany Downs, Auckland
Cost: Adults $25, under 14 years free, students with ID $10
9. Twilight Magic - A Christmas Fayre
Get into the Christmas spirit with a half-price entry fee to Howick Historical Village.
Feast your eyes on beautiful Christmas delights, indulge in a spot of Christmas shopping, enjoy some delicious tasty treats, sing-a-long to Christmas carols, music and dancing.
When:Saturday 5 December, 6pm-9pm
Where: Howick Historical Village, Bells Road, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga
Cost: Adults $7.50, seniors and tertiary $6, children $4, family (two adults, two children) $20, under 5s free
Booking details: village@fencible.org.nz
10. Christmas on the Beach
There is loads of family fun to be had at Christmas on the Beach 2015.
The concert features music from The Warratahs Band and NZ Youth Choir.
Of course Santa will be there too, along with rides and other attractions for the children.
Food and market stalls available.
Hibiscus Hospice is the charity of choice.
When: Sunday 20 December 5-9.30pm
Where: Orewa Beachfront Reserve , Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa
Cost: Free
11. Auckland Fair
Tackle the Christmas shopping at the Auckland Fair.
Auckland Fair has 135 independent craftspeople selling direct to the public for one day only.
See ceramics, art, prints, candles, cosmetics, clothing, kids' clothes, furniture, soaps, bags, jewellery, accessories, cushions, homewares and more. There will be something for everyone.
Visit the Yellow.co.nz refresh area, have your photo taken for free in the Photokombi van, make an origami Christmas decoration with I Love Pies and visit the Little Yellow Cafe for a light snack from Mojo Coffee, Picnic Box and more.
When: Sunday 6 December, 10am-4pm
Where: Shed 10, Queen's Wharf
Cost: Adults $5, kids free
12. Santa at Smith and Caugheys
Santa returns to Smith and Caugheys, but children will have to walk through an enchanted forest to find him.
He'll be in store from 24 November to 24 December.
For full times head here
The ticketing booth and queue to visit Santa's Enchanted Forest is by the lifts on the ground floor of our Queen Street store.
Prices from $8 per person.