Whangārei Christmas Festival

From mid-November through Christmas Eve, Whangārei District gets properly festive. The Christmas Festival runs for six weeks, filling that lead-up period with markets, concerts, performances and activities that make summer Christmas feel special. It’s not one big event but dozens of smaller gatherings across the district, all celebrating the season in different ways.

Unlike places where Christmas means cold weather and indoor celebrations, Northland does Christmas in summer heat with outdoor concerts, waterfront markets and activities that embrace the weather rather than hiding from it. The festival reflects this, with events taking advantage of long daylight hours and warm evenings. Families spread picnic blankets for outdoor carol concerts. Markets set up in parks. Performances happen at sunset when the heat has eased but there’s still plenty of light.

The six-week timeframe means you can dip in and out as suits your schedule and interests. Not everything appeals to everyone, and nobody expects anyone to attend every event. Pick what looks good, ignore the rest and you’re still participating in the festival. That’s how it’s designed to work.

Markets for Gift Hunting

Christmas markets form the backbone of the festival, giving people options for finding gifts that aren’t mass-produced imports from chain stores. Local makers set up stalls showcasing what they’ve been creating all year, knowing summer brings both locals with money to spend and visitors looking for something distinctive to take home.

The Quarry Community Christmas Market happens at The Quarry Arts Centre on Selwyn Avenue. The restored quarry buildings and surrounding gardens create atmosphere that shopping malls can’t match. Artists and craftspeople bring ceramics, woodwork, textiles, jewelry and artwork. Most makers are present at their stalls, which means you can ask questions, hear stories about how things are made and understand what you’re buying rather than just exchanging money for objects.

The Artisans Market takes over Pūtahi Park in the Town Basin, bringing the market to the waterfront. Stalls spread across the lawn areas with the harbor as backdrop. You can browse markets, grab coffee at nearby cafes and walk along the boardwalk all in one visit. The central location makes it accessible for both locals and visitors already exploring the Town Basin precinct.

Parua Bay Christmas Market transforms the community hall and grounds out on Whangārei Heads Road. This one draws both locals from the Heads communities and visitors making the scenic drive. The community atmosphere is strong. Local stalls sell everything from decorations to fresh produce, crafts to homemade food. It’s smaller and more intimate than the Town Basin markets, which some people prefer. The drive out is half the appeal, with coastal views and the sense of getting away from central Whangārei.

These markets aren’t trying to compete with big retail. They’re offering alternatives for people who’d rather support local makers and find things with actual character. That’s their appeal and why they’ve become fixtures in the Christmas Festival programme.

Music and Performance

Musical performances throughout the festival bring Christmas to life through sound. Most are free entry, making them accessible for families who can’t justify ticket prices for multiple kids.

Christmas Brass at the Basin sees Whangārei District Brass band performing at the Town Basin waterfront. They deliver traditional carols alongside more upbeat seasonal tunes, creating atmosphere without requiring formal concert hall behavior. Families spread blankets on grass, kids run around and people treat it as a summer evening gathering that happens to include live music. The brass band sound carries across the water, and the informal setting suits Northland’s approach to Christmas better than seated indoor concerts.

Original Christmas musicals and theatrical productions often appear at Forum North during the festival. Past years have included creative retellings of Christmas traditions, blending humor with festive spirit. These are ticketed events for people wanting more structured entertainment. Productions are generally family-friendly, though checking specific show details helps avoid bringing young children to performances that might not hold their attention.

Kaurihohore Community Carols at the community hall offers traditional sing-along carols in a neighborhood setting. Tea and cake get served, and the whole thing feels like visiting someone’s extended family Christmas rather than attending a formal event. These community-based gatherings are highlights for people seeking connection over spectacle. Everyone’s welcome, and musical ability doesn’t matter. You’re there to sing together, not perform.

Christmas musical jam sessions at local venues add festive twists to regular music gatherings. Local musicians come together for informal evenings where Christmas music gets played and anyone with an instrument can join. Skill levels vary, and instruments are often available to borrow. The emphasis is on participation and enjoyment rather than polished performance.

Activities for Families

The festival includes activities designed specifically for families and children, recognizing that keeping kids entertained through the December lead-up to Christmas matters to parents.

Free family drop-in workshops at the Hundertwasser Art Centre run over multiple days, allowing families to visit when it suits their schedule. The workshops focus on creating Christmas cards and postcards, inspired by Hundertwasser’s philosophy about handmade communication. Materials and guidance are provided, letting children and adults create festive cards together. The drop-in format removes the pressure of pre-booking while ensuring families can participate regardless of artistic experience or confidence.

The Festival of Christmas Trees at St John’s Church on Kamo Road showcases over 40 trees decorated by local community groups, schools and organizations. The display runs for an extended period, so multiple visits are possible. Each tree reflects the personality and creativity of the group that decorated it. Wandering through the church seeing how different organizations interpreted the decorating challenge creates visual interest. Kids enjoy spotting details and comparing approaches. Adults appreciate the community participation aspect and the variety of decoration styles.

These activities give families options beyond commercial Christmas entertainment. They’re relatively low-cost or free, they’re about doing things rather than just consuming, and they connect children to community creativity and traditions.

Special Events

Some events within the festival stand out for drawing larger crowds or offering something distinctive.

Ruakākā Christmas at the Races combines horse racing with end-of-year celebration at the beachside racing venue. Thoroughbred racing provides the sporting element while Christmas atmosphere adds festive overtones. People bring family, friends and work colleagues for an afternoon that celebrates summer, competition and the approaching holiday break in roughly equal measure. The beachside setting distinguishes it from typical racecourse experiences, and the relaxed holiday mood differs from serious racing meetings.

The Wider Atmosphere

Beyond specific programmed events, the Christmas Festival creates atmosphere across the district. Shop windows get decorated. Street displays appear. Community initiatives add festive touches to public spaces. The collective effect transforms the area during the six-week period even for people not attending formal events.

The timing running through to Christmas Eve means visitors experience the festival at different stages. Early November events offer relaxed preparation time when Christmas still feels distant. Later December activities carry the anticipation and urgency of imminent celebration. The summer weather adds distinctly New Zealand character. Outdoor events take advantage of long daylight and warm temperatures. There’s no rugging up against cold or rushing between heated buildings. Christmas happens outside in the sunshine, which feels natural here even if it confuses visitors from Northern Hemisphere countries.

Local businesses embrace the festival period. Cafes and restaurants extend hours and create Christmas-themed offerings that complement organized events. The Town Basin particularly benefits, with the waterfront becoming a natural gathering point for both planned events and casual festive atmosphere.

Planning Your Visit

If you’re in Whangārei District during November and December, checking the Christmas Festival programme helps identify events matching your interests and schedule. The six weeks mean most visitors encounter multiple events during their stay, whether locals planning specific outings or tourists whose holiday coincides with festival dates.

Most events are free, though some performances and activities require tickets. Markets operate on specific dates, so checking the schedule ensures you don’t miss ones you’re interested in. Family activities often run drop-in style, providing flexibility for travel with children whose schedules and energy levels fluctuate.

Event distribution across the district means considering which areas you’ll be visiting. If staying in central Whangārei, Town Basin events are easily accessible. For those exploring the Heads or coastal areas, community events in those locations make sense. The festival’s structure allows creating your own experience rather than following a prescribed path.

Parking in central Whangārei is readily available. The Central City Carpark Building accessed from John Street often provides free or discounted parking during the Christmas period to support festival attendance and shopping. Check current arrangements as the district sometimes runs special parking initiatives through December.

A Community Celebration

The Whangārei Christmas Festival succeeds because it reflects genuine community participation. Groups decorating trees, musicians performing carols, makers showcasing work at markets, neighborhoods gathering in rural halls all demonstrate the festival emerging from existing community structures rather than being imposed from above.

This authenticity creates atmosphere visitors recognize and appreciate. Rather than experiencing commercialized Christmas designed primarily for tourism, they encounter real communities celebrating the season in ways that matter to them. The inclusion of both large Town Basin events and small community gatherings ensures diverse participation while maintaining character across the six weeks.

For visitors wanting to understand Northland’s community spirit, attending Christmas Festival events provides insight. The combination of Māori and Pākehā traditions, coastal and rural perspectives, artistic and sporting celebrations reflects the district’s demographic and geographic diversity. That’s more interesting than homogenized festival programming.

Experience Whangārei’s Christmas

The Christmas Festival offers a chance to experience Whangārei District during a celebratory period showcasing both community spirit and summer appeal. Whether browsing markets for unique gifts, enjoying outdoor concerts in warm evening weather or participating in family workshops at cultural centers, the festival provides numerous entry points into the district’s Christmas celebration.

The six-week duration means dipping in and out as suits your schedule and interests. Attend multiple events across weekends or choose specific experiences appealing most. Free entry to most events removes financial barriers while the diverse programme ensures all ages and interests find suitable activities.

For full event details, specific dates and times, venue information and programme updates, visit the Whangārei District Council Christmas Festival page.