It’s the most magical time of the year, and Tāmaki Makaurau is about to glow brighter than ever. From iconic streets lined with twinkling lights to heritage trains, neon wonderlands, giant Christmas trees and waterfront festivities, Auckland is decking the city in spectacular style for 2025.
So grab the whānau, pack some snacks, turn up the Christmas playlist and explore the very best Christmas light displays shining across Auckland this festive season. 🎄✨
1–24 December 2025 | 7pm–10pm
For more than 30 years, Ponsonby’s famous Franklin Road has been transforming itself into Auckland’s most beloved Christmas street. Local residents create the magic themselves, decorating their homes with fairy lights, reindeer, stars and festive scenes.Don’t miss the special Christmas Light Show at Te Rimutahi on 17 and 18 December, 8.30pm–10.30pm.
📍 Ponsonby
5–7 December & 11–23 December 2025 | From 6.30pm
All aboard the Christmas Express. Glenbrook Station lights up with illuminated trains, Santa’s grotto, night markets and family fun. Trains depart every 30 minutes from 6.30pm to 11pm.
📍 Glenbrook Station, Waiuku
5–8, 12–15, 19–22 December 2025 | 8pm–11pm
MOTAT becomes a glowing Christmas wonderland featuring festive trams, dazzling heritage buildings, carol singers, Santa’s workshop, food trucks, outdoor games and magical photo spots designed by La Lumiere.A family favourite and a must-do.
📍 805 Great North Road
5–7 December 2025 | 8.30pm–10.30pm
A free drive-through Christmas spectacle at Northcross Church with glowing displays, live festive characters and a cosy café offering food, drinks and entertainment afterwards.
📍 Oteha, North Auckland
From 1 December 2025
Queen Street becomes a vibrant light trail with five-metre interactive neon columns created by artist Angus Muir. Each column has its own theme:
Kids can press buttons, turn knobs, trigger sounds, take selfies and unlock secret animations.
📍 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
from 6pm nightly until 4th Janaury
Auckland’s beloved 18.4-metre Christmas tree returns to Te Komititanga, glowing with more than 10,000 LED lights, 4,000 pohutukawa flowers and 200 baubles.The tree lights up with a five-minute projection show every ten minutes.
📍 Te Komititanga, Downtown
📍 Best viewing spots include:• Westhaven Marina• Silo Park• Halsey Wharf• Princes Wharf• Queens Wharf• Little Shoal Bay• Hinemoa Park• Maungawhau Mt Eden• Bayswater Marina• Takurunga Mt Victoria
12–25 December 2025
After sunset, The Harbour Bridge lights up with a magical light and sound show based on the children’s book We Wish You a Kiwi Christmas, featuring narration and music by Pio Terei.Follow Little Kiwi’s festive journey and sing along in English and te reo Māori.BD
31 December 2025 |Midnight
The season finishes with a massive fireworks display bursting from the Sky Tower as Auckland counts down to 2026.📍 Auckland CBD
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