Archived: Your Christmas activations trail guide

From public squares to laneways and beyond, Christmas festivities are all around in the city centre this year! Planning a visit to embrace the magic? Let us help you with our trail map so you can see it all with ease. This trail can be reversed too, depending on where you want to start! 

Start downtown!

Te Manaaki, Auckland's Giant Christmas Tree | Te Komititanga 

While Te Manaaki remains at Te Komititanga until 4 January 2026, be sure to catch the festive lightshow and music before it ends on 26 December 2025!

Standing at over 18m tall and decorated with more than 10,000 LED lights, 4,000 Pōhutukawa flower decorations and over 200 giant baubles, Te Manaaki  returns to Te Komititanga and will bring festive magic for all to enjoy. The giant Christmas tree shines nightly from 6pm with a light show every ten minutes. Adding to the magic, cheerful Christmas music fills the air Thursday to Saturday, playing for three minutes at the top of each hour between 6 and 9pm.

Te Manaaki is a gift to the city in partnership between Heart of The City and Precinct Properties, with support from Auckland Council via the city centre targeted rate. 

The Giant Baubles | Te Komititanga, Lower Queen Street

While you are there, make sure you check out the iconic giant baubles, with the tallest reaching 6m in height! 

Head further up Queen Street

Queen Street columns | Along Queen Street

Along Queen Street, spot five towering interactive columns created by artist Angus Muir, linking midtown with downtown in a dazzling parade of colour and neon light. Each column showcases a unique festive theme brought to life with buttons, knobs, and even a jukebox for playful interaction.

Festive lamp posts, Christmas doves and a neon tree | Queen Street, Vulcan Lane, O'Connell Street. 

As you make your way up Queen Street, look up to see the lamp posts adorned with festive shapes and spot Christmas dove decorations in Vulcan Lane. Take a quick turn off Queen Street and into O'Connell Street to check out the neon tree – perfect for a festive ‘gram.

Then jingle all the way to SkyCity

Christmas Light Show | Sky Tower

The tallest tower in New Zealand joins the festive countdown, glowing red and green for the 12 days leading up to Christmas Day. Bring the whānau along to soak up the festive magic—it's the perfect way to kick off the holiday spirit together.

The Christmas Fairy | SkyCity

Strike a pose, don’t be shy – a Christmas wish might flutter by! Head to SkyCity for a photo and whimsical cheer with their towering Christmas Fairy.