Christmas in Christchurch and Canterbury 2011

Information on Christmas events

There are many Christmas related events in Christchurch to enjoy in the lead up to Christmas Day on 25 December — from carol services and concerts to Santa parades and festive displays.

Many Christmas events in Christchurch are listed on local events calendar BeThere.co.nz.

Christmas carols and music

Christmas in the Park takes place on Saturday 26 November in Christchurch and is one of the earliest festive musical celebrations.

Carol services take place in local communities.

The season of carols culminates with the YMCA Carols by Candelight, taking place this year in North Hagley Park. This twilight gathering has been delighting Cantabrians and visitors every Christmas Eve since 1947.

Nativity Float. View more photographs from the Hay’s parade.

Santa Parades and Santa

Saturday 3 December 2011: New Brighton Santa Parade.
Sunday 4 December 2011: Christchurch’s Santa Parade takes place on Riccarton Road.

Our history of Christchurch Christmas parades has information on Christchurch’s parades dating back to the 1930s and links to photographs of the Hay’s Santa Parade.

Some malls and shops may have a Santa in store to listen to childrens’ gift requests, and having a photo taken on Santa’s knee is a New Zealand tradition.

Lights, decorations and displays

Christchurch shops often decorate their windows and have Christmas displays. Department store Ballantynes is famous for its Christmas window. This year, the animated Christmas window will be unveiled on Saturday 26 November.

Some streets in Christchurch light up as homes are festooned with Christmas lights (Westlake Drive in Halswell is a notable example).

Churches may have nativity displays, and there is a Christmas Grotto at Spreydon Baptist Church.

Christmas services