Christmas
Santa parades
Tuakau – December 2, from 3pm, George St, Tuakau
Papakura – December 3, from 3pm, Great South Rd, Papakura
Pukekohe – December 3, from 2pm, King St, Pukekohe
Waiuku – December 9 from 2pm, Queen St, Waiuku
Santa Claus November 30 – December 20, times vary, Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland City. This year no one’s been nice, as this show reveals. Whether it be recording a conversation with an employee without their knowledge, parking in a spot for the disabled or buying cage eggs, we’ve all been bad and, as Santa is taking the law
into his own hands, we’d better watch out! Billed as a ‘Chris-massacre’ this show will
feature plenty of celebrity guests, including Urzila Carlson, Antonia Prebble and Chloe
Swarbrick. See basementtheatre.co.nz.
Carols in the Park December 1, from 6pm, Central Park, Papakura
Come all ye faithful to help ring in the season of goodwill as carols (we’d expect
more than one!) and people by many names converge on Papakura to sing along to festive classics. More information via the Papakura Business Association – see papakura.co.nz/events, or hcc.net.nz.
Christmas In Karaka December 2, 10.30am-5.30pm, NZ Bloodstock Centre – Karaka Sales Complex, 10 Hinau Rd, Karaka. Nothing says Christmas quite like crackers… or Karaka, for that matter! Christmas in Karaka is set to roll out the welcome mat for Santa with proceeds set to benefi t Te Hihi School. From workshops to markets and much, much more, this festive festival is designed to help ensure we’re all in high spirits come December 25. See christmasinkaraka.co.nz.
Christmas at Sunkist December 2, from 2pm, Sunkist Bay Reserve, Beachlands
Before Santa gets down to business schlepping presents all around the world, he’ll stop by the seaside in Beachlands to enjoy a little fun in the sun as Christmas comes early to Sunkist Bay Reserve. Details via pohutukawacoast.nz/events.
Christmas Show – the Beach Boys & Super Star Show and Mermaids Christmas Show & Dinner December 2 & 9 (respectively, 6-11pm, Pukekohe Cosmopolitan Club, 78 Nelson St, Pukekohe Looking to have a rockin’ good Christmas? Then cast aside those sleigh bells and surf on over to the Pukekohe Cossie Club! And, if this Christmas show isn’t ‘fun, fun, fun’ enough to spin the wheels of your Little Deuce Coupe, then Don’t Worry Baby because Little Saint Nick has more in store! On December 9, the club will shoop-shoop to Mermaids Christmas Show and Dinner. For details on both see pukekohecosmopolitanclub.co.nz.
A Christmas Carol December 3, 2.30-4.30pm & 6-8.30pm, BNZ Theatre, Vodafone Events Centre, 770 Great South Rd, Manukau Here’s a chance to see Dickens’ tale about a greedy old man visited by immortal Christmas spirits, as presented by Expressions Dance. Complete with Christmas elves, dancing candy canes and more, this loose adaptation by dance students aged 3-18 years seems sure to delight. Details at expressionsdance.co.nz.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas December 7, 11am-1pm, Hawkins Theatre, 13 Ray Small Dr, Papakura It’s hard to believe that Christmas is here already as we immerse ourselves in festive favourites. Expected to conjure up all the madness, magic and music of Christmas, this show is ready to set those jingle bells a-ringing once again. See operatunity. co.nz for more information.
Christmas in the Park December 9, from 7.30pm, Auckland Domain, Park Rd, Grafton To truly have ourselves a Kiwi kind of Christmas, we need to make space in our mistletoe-hanging, present-purchasing schedule for a little blast in the park as this magical, musical performance kicks off the festive season in style. See coke.co.nz/christmas-in-the-park for details.
Kawakawa Bay Christmas in the Park December 10, 6-9pm, Village Green, Kawakawa Bay Yule all come back to Kawakawa Bay now, ya hear? This delightful corner of Franklin will again be spreading Christmas cheer this year. See kawakawabay.org.nz or facebook.com/kkbaychristmasinthepark.
New Year’s Eve
Auckland Cup Day December 31, from 2pm, Alexandra Park Raceway, Greenlane Rd West, Epsom Finish 2017 with a bang during an afternoon of racing and family fun followed by an evening of fi reworkfuelled celebrations. For details visit alexandrapark.co.nz.
Wondergarden 2017 December 31 – January 1, Silo Park, Corner Beaumont & Jellicoe Street, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland City. It’s no wonder Aucklanders escape the city over the New Year’s break, however, now there’s a good reason to stay put thanks to Wondergarden. In addition to electrifying live music, from a number of top bands, there will be plenty of children’s entertainment and more to help set the New Year off on the right note. For details, see wondergarden.co.nz.
Expos & Festivals
Auckland Live Summer in the Square December 1 – February 24, times vary, Aotea Square, 50 Mayoral Dr, Auckland. Forget the beaches and baches this summer and stick around the city to enjoy plenty of quality entertainment. Featuring events for all ages, this series runs right through the season, with a short break to make sure we’re home for Santa, of course. Visit aucklandlive.co.nz/event/summer-in-the-square.
Music, Musicals & Theatre
Peter Pan December 7-9, Aotea Centre, ASB Theatre, 50 Mayoral Dr, Auckland City If we need to explain what this story is about, you’ve probably been away in Neverneverland for far too long! For details of this show, by the National Youth Theatre Company, see nytc.co.nz.
Pop-up Globe Theatre 2017-18 Season From December 7, Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave, Ellerslie, Auckland. This summer it’s time to party like it twas 1614! The Pop-up Globe shows Shakespeare’s work as it was intended, as a feast of bawdy, hilarious and brutal stories to be devoured by the masses. Beginning with his irreverently ‘horny’ comic masterpiece, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this season also features ‘the Scottish play’, Julius Caesar, The Comedy of Errors and The Merchant of Venice. For
a full schedule see popupglobe.co.nz.
Sport, Fitness & Racing
Polo in Pukekohe December 3, from 10am, Tipperary Park, 137 Pukekohe East Rd, Pukekohe. Motor racing may offer plenty of high octane fun but, when it comes to rural sports, there’s no substitute for good, old fashioned horse power. And, it’s not such
a long, long way to go to Tipperary this month to view action-packed exhibition matches of polo and polocrosse (a cross between polo and lacrosse), as well as a sausage sizzle and bouncy castle for those little princes and princesses of the sport
of kings. Details accessible via facebook.com/taupiripoloclub.
Mad Mike’s Summer Bash December 9, 9am-5pm, Hampton Downs Motor Sport Park, Hampton Downs Rd, Te Kauwhata Some people drift through lift; others, like Mad Mike, DRIFT through life! Champion drift racer, ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett will star during this event which sees some of New Zealand’s best petrol-headed pedalers slide their way around Hampton Downs. For details, see hamptondowns.com.
Summer Twilight Raceday December 6, 3-8.30pm, Pukekohe Park, 222-250 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe Whether you bet on a bobtail nag or the bay, either way you can bet on at least one top evening of racing this month with plenty more entertainment to round off the season. Visit pukekohepark.co.nz.
Barfoot & Thompson Twilight Summer Night and Boxing Day Races December 13, 3.30-11.30pm, and December 26, 10am-8pm, Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave, Remuera Providing a feast of racing – and entertainment besides – the Twilight Summer Night is the perfect preamble (albeit at galloping pace!) to festive celebrations. And, after the ‘big day’, the Boxing Day Races hits all the right notes when it comes to providing plenty more racing and other entertainment. See ellerslie.co.nz.
Country Calendar
Te Kauwhata A&P Show December 9, 9am-2pm, Te Kauwhata Memorial Domain, Mahi Rd, Te Kauwhata Countryside life is set to be celebrated in Te Kauwhata this month during the town’s annual A&P Show. Featuring everything from such old favourites as speed shearing and horse and cattle shows, to bouncy castles, a Lego building competition and even snail racing, there’s plenty to enjoy.