This Is How They Roll Every Christmas In New Zealand!

“Oh the weather outside is frightful,

But the fire is so delightful,

And since we’ve no place to go,

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”

Wait a minute, something’s not quite right. “The weather outside is frightful?” Hah fat chance. It’s quite the opposite actually. “But the fire is so delightful?” You must be hallucinating for I see no fire, mate.

That’s exactly right. Due to it being in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas in New Zealand occurs during summer. What this means is that there is no snow and no freezing fits. So how exactly do people celebrate Christmas in the land of the long white clouds?

1. Christmas in the Park

This is a public event hosted by Coca-Cola for the community that is usually held around late November in Christchurch and early December in Auckland. It is a free musical event with various performers ranging from singers, to violinists, to even dancers. It is one of the biggest public Christmas events on the calendar and people are sure to not miss it!

2. Santa Parade

The Santa Parade is delightful to watch for both the young and young at heart. It happens around early December in Christchurch and late November in Auckland, featuring the most impressive (and sometimes bizarre!) floats. Cultural groups from the community perform in it to showcase their culture; music groups herald the streets with carols; and even fairy tales/ nursery rhymes come to life! The parade is definitely a must-watch and is a tradition for many Kiwis.

3. Barbeque

In addition to the standard roast turkey dinner, an outdoors barbeque is also quite the norm due to Christmas falling in summer. Sizzling on the grill you’ll find sausages, meat patties, kebabs, chicken, pork… basically all things “barbequeable”. Yes please! I mean what’s not to love about that?

4. The more the merrier

New Zealand experiences winter during the middle of the year, and some keen souls celebrate what is called a mid-winter Christmas during that time. It’s basically like a mini Christmas celebration! Two Christmases in a year?! Here’s New Zealand for you 🙂

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