Things to do in Auckland this weekend: Christmas lights, Tango Day and more

Christmas lights are one of the most cost-effective festive activities around.

Classical music and festive spirit abound in this weekend’s roundup of the best things to do in Auckland. Christmas lights are up all over the region, Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park is taking over Auckland Domain, and a Christmas spectacular is on its way. Plus, Auckland Phil, Auckland Choral, Aotango, Stonefields Choir and some future classical music stars are delivering festive concerts of all kinds throughout the weekend.

1) Lights lights and more lights

Petrol costs and road user charges notwithstanding, Christmas lights are one of the most cost-effective festive activities around. Ponsonby’s Franklin Rd still reigns supreme, with lights on and visitors welcome nightly. If you head along on Wednesday (December 17) or Thursday (December 18) next week, take a detour to Te Rimutahi – the new public space in Ponsonby – which is hosting a light show on those two nights only (8.30pm-10.30pm). Further south, in Ōtara, there are two separate display areas making up the Ōtara Block Christmas lights, which are on nightly up to and including Christmas Day. And even further south, at Franklin’s Paerāta Rise, Light Up the Town starts tonight. There’ll be 12 days of festive events, including candy cane hunts, Santa appearances and horse rides, surrounding the epic home light displays.

Franklin Road

When: Nightly 7pm-10pm until December 24.

Where: Franklin Rd, Ponsonby.

Ōtara Block Christmas Lights

When: Nightly 7.30pm-11.30pm until December 25.

Where: Cooper Cres, Ross Ave, Everitt St, Whitley Ave, Ara Piripono Rd, Clayton Ave, Terry Place and Hamill Rd, Ōtara.

Paerāta Rise

When: Nightly from 7pm.

Where: Paerāta Rise, Pukekohe. See paeratarise.co.nz for full schedule of events.

2) Singing for the city mission

The Stonefields Community Choir performs their annual Christmas concert today, raising much-needed funds for the Auckland City Mission. Head along to Dio to hear some feel-good Christmas classics led by their talented music director Christina Bevan. The concert also features appearances by the Stonefields School Band and Choir with Nathan Imboden, plus the Sinfonia Orchestra and Trio.

When: Today, 4pm.

Where: Diocesan School for Girls, Clyde St, Epsom, Auckland.

Price: Tickets $10-$25 from iticket.co.nz.

Parking available in surrounding streets and specified neighbouring businesses, not on school grounds.

3) International Tango Day, ole!

Prepare for an evening of vibrant Latin rhythms and exceptional musicianship. Photo / Annupam Photography

The incredible acoustics of Holy Trinity Cathedral will be shining tonight for Aotango’s International Tango Day celebration. The accomplished quintet features Andrew Beer (violin), Somi Kim (piano), Gordon Hill (double bass), Grayson Masefield (accordion) and, for this concert, Kathleen Tomacruz (guitar) stepping in for Sam Swindell. The Auckland Chamber Choir, featuring soloist Morag Atchison and conducted by Jono Palmer, is joining the line-up for the New Zealand premiere performance of Martin Palmieri’s Latin Mass and Argentine Tango mash-up Misa a Buenos Aires. Plus appearances by featured guests Lorna Zhang (violin), Matthias Balzat (cello) and Francesca Fong (viola). Prepare for an evening of vibrant Latin rhythms and exceptional musicianship.

When: Tonight, 7pm.

Where: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell Rd, Parnell.

Price: Tickets adults $40 + booking fees; concession $30 + booking fees; free for children (with paying adult) from eventfinda.co.nz.

4) A cracker Christmas in the Park

Thousands of Aucklanders will descend on the Domain for the annual Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park. Photo / Richard Linton

Tonight’s the night thousands of Aucklanders descend on the Domain for the annual Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park. If you plan and execute well, it’s a thoroughly entertaining evening of local talent and Christmas spirit. This year, the line-up includes Venice Qin, Lou’ana, Jaya, Ella Monnery, Dillon Rhodes, Lavina Williams, Ky Canoy, Nyree Huyser, Nate Peseta and more. MC’d by More FM’s Lana Searle and Speedy, there’ll also be several local dance schools taking the stage, a 10-piece big band and performers from Auckland Police Pipes and Drums. Bring a picnic or buy dinner from one of the many food vendors but leave the booze at home. Keep camping chairs low so as not to obscure the view of those around you, take public transport if you can and bring a merry disposition to ensure a fun night for all.

When: Tonight, 7.30pm.

Where: Auckland Domain, Parnell.

Price: Free.

5) A classical Christmas tradition

Let angelic harmonies transport you to heavenly festive plains. Photo / Helen Foster

For many classical music fans, a live performance of Handel’s Messiah is an unmissable Christmas tradition. If that’s you, or if you’re just classical curious, then get tickets to see Auckland Choral perform the iconic composition tomorrow evening or Monday night at the Auckland Town Hall, and let their angelic harmonies transport you to heavenly festive plains.

When: Tomorrow 5pm and Monday 7pm.

Where: Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall.

Price: Tickets from $40 adults; $15 students; $10 child from ticketmaster.co.nz.

6) The songbirds of tomorrow

The concert aims to support the development of these young performers and raise funds for further music education.

For a glimpse into the future of classical singing in Aotearoa, head along to Kōmanawa Theatre at Te Puna Creative Hub (formerly Whoa! Studios) in Henderson for Te Manu Waiata – The Songbird tonight. The concert features 10 emerging classical performers, led by 15-year-old soprano Kākahu Coughlan, and is inspired by the whakataukī (proverb) me he korokoro tūī, meaning like the throat of a tūī. The concert aims to support the development of these young performers and raise funds for further music education.

When: Tonight, 6pm.

Where: Kōmanawa Theatre, Te Puna Creative Hub, 8/14 Henderson Valley Rd, Henderson. Tickets start at $15 from iticket.co.nz.

7) Auckland Phil’s Christmas for young and old

Suzy Cato will lead children through an interactive programme of Christmas classics. Photo / Thomas Hamill

Auckland Phil’s Christmas offerings kick off this weekend with Tunes 4 Tamariki: Christmas with Suzy at the Bruce Mason Centre tomorrow. Suzy Cato will lead children through an interactive programme of Christmas classics played by the orchestra, including opportunities to walk through the orchestra, have a go at conducting, and sing and dance along. There are pre-concert festivities like face painting and arts and crafts if you get there early. Suzy and Auckland Phil will do it all over again next Sunday at Auckland Town Hall. If little children aren’t part of your concert-going crew any more, then you might be more interested in Auckland Phil’s Christmas Cheer concert, featuring singers Awhimai Fraser and Nic Kyle with the Graduate Choir singing all your favourite Christmas carols next Friday and Saturday at the Town Hall.

When: Tomorrow, 2pm and 3.30pm.

Where: Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna.

When: December 21, 10am and 11.30am,

Where: Auckland Town Hall.

Price: Tickets $15 from aucklandphil.nz.

Christmas Cheer

When: December 19, 7.30pm and 20, 3pm.

Where: Auckland Town Hall, Auckland.

Price: Tickets start at $20 + booking fees from ticketmaster.co.nz.

8) Plan ahead: Flying limbs and untangling reality

This “hybrid live-digital materiality” features dancers appearing to multiply, limbs flying and a kaleidoscope of shapes and images. Photo / Jinki Cambronero

Foster Group Dance debuts a new “choreographic landscape” at Kenneth Myers Centre on Monday. The company, founded by choreographer Sarah Foster-Sproull, explores new mediums with this piece entitled Ghostfield, utilising 3D projection alongside the live performance. Long-term collaborators Lulu Qiu, Rosamund Philpott and Aloali’i Tapu, as well as composer Eden Mulholland and lighting designer Jo Kilgour, join Foster-Sproul and Arc/Sec in creating a “hybrid live-digital materiality” that features dancers appearing to multiply, limbs flying and a kaleidoscope of shapes and images that might make you question your physical reality.

When: December 15-17, 7.30pm.

Where: Kenneth Myers Centre, 75 Shortland St, Auckland.

Price: Tickets $23.50-$40 + booking fees from iticket.co.nz.

9) Plan ahead: The illusion of Christmas

The Greatest Christmas Show is directed and produced by Australian illusionist Anthony Street.

If you’re looking for some Christmas entertainment with a heavy dose of wow-factor then The Greatest Christmas Show is for you. Directed and produced by Australian illusionist Anthony Street, who toured Aotearoa earlier this year, the show is described as a “full-scale variety extravaganza”. There will be dancers, singers, musicians, circus and aerial performers, and an appearance from Mr Claus as well. It’s currently touring nationwide and will have its final shows next weekend in Auckland and Hamilton.

When: December 19, 7pm and 20, 2pm.

Where: Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland.

Price: Tickets start at $69.90 + booking fees from ticketmaster.co.nz.

When: December 21, 4pm and 7.30pm.

Where: Clarence St Theatre, Hamilton.

Price: Tickets from $73.90 + booking fees from ticketek.co.nz.

Coming up

• The ASB Classic: January 5-17, Auckland.
• Jimmy Carr – Laughs Funny Tour: Nationwide January 7-28, 2026.
• Auckland Lily Society Annual Lily Show: January 10, Western Springs, Auckland.
• Auckland Shakespeare in the Park: January 16 – February 14, Takapuna, Auckland.
• Auckland Folk Festival: January 23-26, Auckland.
• Auckland International Buskers Festival: January 23-26, Auckland Waterfront and CBD.
• Opera in the Park: January 24, St Heliers and January 31, Auckland Botanic Gardens.
• The Greenstone Summer Concert Tour: January 24 (Taupo), January 29 (Spark Arena), January 31 (Wānaka).
• Sophie Ellis-Bextor: February 3, Waikato Regional Theatre, Hamilton.
• Murder on the Orient Express [return season]: February 7-15, 2026, ASB Waterfront Theatre,
• Auckland.
• ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix: February 14-15, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland.
• Potluck (drag show by Haute Dish) February 17-21, Basement Theatre, Auckland.
• ASB Classic, Centre Court Sounds: February 21, Manuka Doctor Arena.
• An Evening with Yotam Ottolenghi: February 21, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland.
• Splore 2026: February 20-22, Tāpapapakanga Regional Park, Auckland.
• NZ Theatre Company presents Prima Facie: February 27, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland.
• Mānuka Phuel Synthony Festival: March 21, Auckland Domain.
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (West End touring cast): February 26 – March 8, The Civic, Auckland.
• Menopause the Musical: March 10-23, nationwide.
• Linkin Park: March 18, Spark Arena, Auckland.

Email canvas@nzherald.co.nz with brief details of your upcoming event, including dates/times, location and website.