Santa Parade in Auckland: Here’s what’s happening today

The event of the Christmas season, the annual Farmer’s Santa Parade, is set to go ahead with thousands of Aucklanders due to flock to the city centre to bask in festive cheer.

The highly anticipated parade was one of many Covid-19 casualties at the tail end of 2021, but in 2022, the parade is back and better than ever on Sunday, November 27.

This year marks the 89th instalment of the parade, after it was launched in 1934 by the department store Farmers, as a gift of fantasy and fun for the children of Auckland.

While the weather had threatened to put the parade on ice, organisers said Sunday morning it was past the point of no return and would proceed in the afternoon “rain or shine”.

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The parade acts as the unofficial start ot the silly season, and allows children (and Christmas-obsessed adults) to catch a glimpse of their favourite cartoon characters, as well as the man himself – Mr Santa Claus.

Attendees can expect “colourful grand floats representing the cultural diversity of today’s Auckland, lively marching bands, and amazing character balloons,” a spokesperson said.

The parade will begin on Mayoral Drive, heading along Queen Street before finishing on Customs Street East.

Festivities will kick off at 1pm, however, there will be pre-parade entertainment from 12, with staff also making their way through the crowd collecting donations for the parade’s chosen charity, Paralympics New Zealand.

Cinderella, Micky and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Shrek, Queen Elsa, Kungfu Jane and Sonic the Hedgehog and just some of the beloved characters that will be making their way down Auckland’s Queen Street.

Auckland figures like Dame Lisa Carrington – who holds the very important position of Grand Marshal – mental health advocate Jazz Thornton and Deputy Mayor Delsey Simpson will be making an appearance.

Following the parade, Santa will be throwing a party in Aotea Square from 2.30pm, with much-loved Kiwi personalities Jono Proyr and Ben Boyce kicking off the celebrations.

Peppa Pig, Suzy Cato and other community dance and singing groups will be performing during the party.

For those who may not attend the parade but are trying to get into Auckland CBD on Sunday, roads surrounding Queen Street including Mayoral Drive will be closed from 11am to 5pm.