It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Aotea Square as the city’s arts precinct prepares to come alive next month with a range of free, family-friendly festivities to celebrate Auckland Live Christmas in the Square. Auckland Live is a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.

With live performances, giant LEGO baubles, a pop-up piano, food trucks, DJs, short films and more, Aotea Square is the place to be from 9 – 26 December.

For those who love a sing-along, Friday 16 December is the day to unleash your fa-la-la’s with host Jackie Clarke for Christmas Karaoke in the Square.

A travelling piano will be one of the special pop-ups featuring pianist, singer-songwriter, musical director and composer Robin Kelly (Stimmung Choir, Valerie) and Hannah Kee (The Madeleines). Both Kelly and Kee will play all your favourite songs, live and unplugged with Christmas Tunes on the Undergrand Piano on Sunday 11 and 18 December.

The music doesn’t stop there. On Saturday 17 December, the National Youth Theatre will showcase Broadway Musical Christmas with a selection of hits from their favourite productions.

The Auckland Live Digital Stage will be your nostalgia hub with Classic Kiwi Christmas on Film, featuring archival footage from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision of the popular Farmers Santa Parade, the iconic A&P show and everything in between. You can also experience a mini festive film festival with Christmas Shorts from Around the World, curated by Urban Screen TV.

The Digital Stage will also give kids the power to open some Christmas presents early (if only on screen) with Tap Tap Takahē.

Headlining this year’s programming is the extra special LEGO Christmas in the Square. From backyard cricket and building sandcastles, to ice cream and chocolate fish, Aotea Square will be transformed this holiday season with a series of giant LEGO Christmas baubles - each capturing the ultimate Kiwi Christmas through the eyes of tamariki.

Led by a global team of LEGO® brick artists and craftspeople including Ryan ‘The Brickman’ McNaught (LEGO Masters), each of the four giant baubles will be decorated with intricate LEGO bricks featuring Christmas Kiwiana. On Saturday 10 December, whānau can also come along for a unique opportunity to build their very own Christmas keepsake with Build Your Own LEGO Bauble. LEGO Christmas in the Square is presented in partnership with LEGO New Zealand, Auckland Live, Heart of the City and Auckland Council.

Highlights below with more details here.

Auckland Live Christmas in the Square

LEGO Christmas in the Square
Fri 9 Dec – Mon 26 Dec
Fri - Sat: 9:30am – 9:30pm/Sun - Thu: 9:30am – 7pm

Build Your Own LEGO Bauble
Sat 10 Dec
10am – 4pm*
*Until stocks last

Christmas Tunes on the Undergrand Piano
Sun 11 and Sun 18 Dec
12.30pm – 2pm, 3pm – 4.30pm, 5.30pm – 7pm

Christmas Shorts from Around the World
Sun 11 and Sun 18 Dec
10am – 12pm

Christmas Karaoke in the Square
Fri 16 Dec
6:30pm – 9pm
Three 30 min sessions with 30 min break in between

Broadway Musical Christmas
Sat 17 Dec
10am – 4pm
30 min workshop at the start of every hour

Tap Tap Takahē
Fri 9 Dec – Mon 26 Dec
Daily, on rotation

Classic Kiwi Christmas on Film
Fri 9 Dec – Mon 26 Dec
Daily, on rotation

DJs on the Square
Sat 10 & Sat 17 Derc
4pm – 9:30pm

Christmas comes early in Aotea Square