Auckland’s Best Christmas Markets To Visit This 2025 Festive Season
Kathryn Steane
Contributor | Urban List NZ
Alice Rich
Contributor & Former Editor | Urban List NZ
We love a good market, especially one with the word 'Christmas' attached. So hop in the car, crank up the Mariah (your secret's safe with me) and head along to one of these incredible Christmas markets coming to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this holiday season.
Here are the best Christmas markets to hit up in Auckland in 2025.
Christmas Markets At A Glance
Late Night Christmas Markets
German Christmas Market
30 Kaurilands Road, Titirangi | Saturday 29 November
Speed through your gift list at the German Christmas Market while sipping on hot chocolate (or a cheeky mulled wine) and eating your bodyweight in candied almonds, cookies, and the largest collection of pretzels this side of Berlin. Burn off all that sugar with a sesh in one of the bouncy castles (whoops, kids only) before making your own wreath, candle holder or other creation inside the Bastelstube craft grotto. Open from 3pm 'til 8pm, making this the perfect market for a late night spree.
RRE Agency Orewa Christmas Twilight Market
Orewa Square & Moana Reserve, Orewa | Friday 5 December
Top local creatives will be out in force for the RRE Agency Orewa Christmas Twilight Market on 5 December from 5-9pm, so head on up to the Coast with your roomiest sack. Adding to the vibe will be food trucks, giant games and a brass band playing Christmas carols, plus a visit from Santa himself.
Howick Village Christmas Fair
Picton Street, Howick | Friday 5 December
Make quick work of that gift list with a trip to the annual Howick Village Christmas Fair between 5.30 and 9.30pm this December—not only will the local shops be open, but there'll also be a market teeming with artisan goodies by talented local makers. As for the food? A Food Truck Collective special, the kai's an event in its own right. Come hungry, ready to fill your belly with everything from paella and cookies to tacos and wood-fired pizza, and my personal favourite: Hungarian fried bread. *Swoon*
Cathedral Christmas Market
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell | Tuesday 9 December
Christmas shopping sounds a helluva lot merrier with a golden schnitty in hand, chased by a scoop (or six) of Bear Gelato. Hightail it to the Cathedral Christmas Market between 5 and 7.30pm for this and a whole lot more Food Truck Collective wizardry, market stalls to meander and beats by Auckland City Brass. And in a first (as far as I’m aware) in addition to meeting Santa, you can meet Mrs Claus too and, let’s be real, she’s the true MVP.
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Saturday Christmas Markets
Barking Mad Christmas Special
Pukekohe Showgrounds | Saturday 29 November
Image credit: Barking Mad / Facebook
A Christmas market dedicated to man's best friend? Sign me up. Bought to us by Barking Mad, from 10am-3pm you can expect exciting pup-approved fun including a dog show (complete with Christmas dress-up comp), educational talks, dog races, an epic raffle and plenty of foodie treats for both you and your four-legged friend. Open 10am 'til 3pm.
Takapuna Christmas Carnival
Waiwharariki Anzac, Takapuna | Saturday 29 November
Kiwi Christmasses are synonymous with hot summer days by the beach, and that's exactly what you'll get at the Takapuna Christmas Carnival (Tāmaki weather gods-permitting). Waiwharariki Anzac Square and the surrounding area will play host to an array of holiday-themed entertainment, market stalls and more. Shop to your heart's content then kick back beside the Christmas tree on Hurstmere Green. Open 10am 'til 3pm.
Food Art Market Kirihimete Special
Karangahape Road | Saturday 6 December
The final F.A.M. for the year, Karangahape Road will be serving Kirihimete—big time—with art installations and free art tours, live music, a free SMALL RAVE kids activation, and your Christmas gift list incarnate thanks to the folks at Search & Destroy, Bad News, Naked Florist, Forte Greene, Smoove, Saints Juice, Coven, Pads Pearls, Celestial Markets, and more. Don't skip snagging a bite from the Lebanese Grocer's Christmas window meals. Open 10am 'til 2pm.
Christmas Makers' Market
Studio One Toi Tū, Ponsonby | Saturday 6 December
Wonderful things by 23 of Tāmaki Makaurau's finest local makers, two opportunities to get your Christmas craft on—for free, no less—and real fruit ice cream from Scrunchy Millers (vegan and gluten-free options included), 6 December can't come fast enough. The powerhouse that is Siriporn Falcon-Grey will be there to guide you through an air-dry clay Christmas ornament workshop, while collage artist extraordinarie Naomi Azoulay will be on hand to assist with Christmas card-making. And if you've had the delight of experiencing any of Bobo Doodles' mini print machine pop ups this year, you'll be stoked to know she's among the Christmas Maker's Market stallholder lineup. Open 10am 'til 2pm.
Ponsonby Christmas Market Day
Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby | Saturday 6 December
Image credit: General Collective | Facebook
Come wander Auckland's iconic shopping strip and bag a few festive bargains along the way at the annual Ponsonby Christmas Market Day. This popular event offers a fantastic line-up of market stalls curated by General Collective, which you'll wander to the sound of live bands and DJs. And don't forget to check out the cheeky Santa that appears atop the town's skyline each year—what form will he take in 2025? Open 10am 'til 2pm.
Karanga Plaza Christmas Market
Karanga Plaza, Wynyard Quarter | Saturday 6-Sunday 7 December
An artisan Christmas market will be descending on Karanga Plaza complete with craft workshops, pet photography and market stalls for days, all in a gorgeous waterfront setting. Once you've had your fill of the festivities make the most of Wynyard Quarter, popping into one of the best local bars and eateries for top notch hospitality, vibes a-plenty, and tastebud-tantalising kai. Open 10am 'til 4pm.
Downtown Christmas Market
Te Komititanga and Takutai Square, Britomart | Saturday 13 December
If an 18 metre high Christmas tree wasn’t already enough of a reason to flock to Te Komititanga this Silly Season, the folks at Britomart, in collaboration with General Collective, are putting on a Downtown Christmas Market, just for the occasion. Two markets rolled into one, the lineup’s sure to jingle your bells.
Queers & Wares Xmas Market
Studio One Toi Tū, Ponsonby | Saturday 13 December
The QueerAF Queers & Wares Xmas Market is back for another year at Studio One Toi Tū and it’s brimming with LGBTQI+ creative talent. Pop along between 10am and 3pm and come away with some wonderful, sustainable pieces by talented local queer artists from around Aotearoa. Peruse books, jewellery, ceramics, art, crochet, precious stones, crafts, candles—everything you need to smash that Christmas list in one fabulous swoop.
Sunday Christmas Markets
Christmas Craft Harvest Market
Jubilee Hall, Parnell | Every Sunday from 22 November until 20 December
Image credit: Craft Harvest | Facebook
Parnell’s Craft Harvest is going festive with the return of its yearly Christmas Craft Harvest Market. Located in the historic Jubilee Hall, you'll be treated to wares from some of the city's most talented crafters across five glorious weeks—think knitwear, toys, candles, stationery, decorations, and more. Swing by any time between 8 and 11.45am to load up on the goods.
Ponsonby Central Christmas Market
The Sapphire Room (inside Ponsonby Central), Ponsonby | Sunday 30 November
A collaboration with General Collective, this is one Christmas market you don't want to sleep on. All of the things you'd expect from a market held inside one of Auckland's trendiest shopping precincts will be on offer, including boutique fashion, homewares and skincare. Celebrate your purchases with a bite to eat at one of the area's many top notch eateries, or perhaps even a cocktail ('tis the season, after all). Open 10am 'til 4pm.
Big Clay Day Out
96 Captain Springs Road, Onehunga | Sunday 7 December
Okay, so this isn't specifically a Christmas market but if you're shopping for people who go a bit cray for the clay, the Big Clay Day Out should be top of your agenda. Auckland Studio Potters' biggest annual open day, you'll want to go armed with carry bags and boxes (at the very least an empty car boot) so you can snap up all manner of ceramic treasures like whimsical mugs, elegant vases, stunning platters and cute bits and bobs to pop on the Christmas tree. Open 10am 'til 3pm.
Devonport Ethical Christmas Market
Devonport Community House, Devonport | Sunday 7 December
For a Christmas market with the feel-good factor, make sure to visit Devonport on the first Sunday of December. This cute seaside village is once again hosting the Devonport Ethical Christmas Market, which focuses on providing eco-friendly, sustainable, and ethically sourced goods that are legit doing their bit to make the world a better place. Buying your pressies here is guaranteed to send you to the top of Santa's nice list. Open from 10am.
Catalina Christmas In The Bay
Catalina Bay Farmers Market, Hobsonville | Sunday 7 December
A Christmas market is the perfect excuse for a sojourn around Catalina Bay. Make an apparance between 8.30am and 2pm and you'll enjoy a curation of boutique stalls as well as some seriously good street food, a bouncy castle, Fantasy Face Painting, and live music to keep spirits bright. Word on the street is that Santa himself will also be putting in an appearance.
Christmas Market Matakana
Matakana Country Park Market, Matakana | Sunday 21 December
Image credit: Matakana Country Park Market / Supplied
Make ready your sleigh and head north to the Christmas Market Matakana, where you'll wander dozens of stalls selling holiday-themed gifts and décor nestled beneath overhanging maple trees (I can feel my festive cup filling as I write this). I know this is a fair way for some of you to fly, even with the fittest of reindeer, so best tag on lunch and a mosey around the township while you're there. Open 9am 'til 2pm.
Want more festive goodness? Check out:
- Our Favourite New Zealand Christmas Gift Ideas
- Where To Eat In Auckland On Christmas Day
- Dreaming Of Christmas On The Beach? Here's Where To Go
Main image credit: General Collective / Supplied