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 us) 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 2024.
General Collective Lifestyle & Design Market—Christmas Edition
Auckland Showgrounds, Greenlane | Sunday 3 November
Sleigh bells are ringing at Auckland Showgrounds, where the General Collective team are throwing their largest and most anticipated market of the year. Head along on November 3rd and smash out pressies for all the hard-to-by peeps in your life (because we all know at least one of them!). Choose from unique high-quality homewares, fashion, art—and of course, plenty of goodies of the gourmet kind—all made by Kiwi creatives. A mouthwatering line-up of food trucks will also be on offer, along with music, live demonstrations, and plenty of activities to keep the littlies entertained.
Scandinavian Christmas Market
Danish House, Penrose | Sunday 3 November
Nobody knows how to do Christmas quite like the Scandinavians. If you don't believe us, head along to the popular Scandinavian Christmas Market (hosted each year by The Danish Society of Auckland), and get a taste of how the festive season is done, Northern European-style. From beautiful edible treats to gorgeous decorations for your tree, we guarantee you'll never look at Christmas the same way again.
Barking Mad Christmas Special
NZKC Grounds, Ardmore | Saturday 9 November
Image credit: Barking Mad / Facebook
And now for a Christmas market dedicated to man's best friend. Bought to us by Barking Mad, expect a day of exciting pup-approved fun including a dog show (complete with dress-up comp), educational talks, dog races, and plenty of foodie treats for both you and your four-legged friend. Woof!
Howick Village Christmas Fair
Picton Street, Howick | Friday 15 November
Make quick work of that gift list with a trip to the annual Howick Village Christmas Fair—not only will the local shops be open, but there'll also be a market with entertainment, food and drink to refuel, and rides for the kiddos. Personally, we can't wait to chime in on the traditional Christmas carols that've been promised...
Clevedon Christmas Fair
Clevedon Showgrounds, Clevedon | Tuesday 19 November
Christmas supposedly started inside a stable, so it's only fitting that at least one Christmas market this year would also take place inside one. The cosy ex-stables at the Clevedon Showgrounds, to be precise—which are being transformed into a festive wonderland complete with market stalls, food and drink (including some carefully curated non-alcoholic cocktails) and more, set against a suitably rural backdrop.
Christmas Craft Harvest Market
Jubilee Hall, Parnell | Every Saturday from 23 November until 21 December
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.
Queers & Wares Xmas Market
Studio One Toi Tū, Grey Lynn | Sunday 24 November
Image credit: QueerAF | Instagram
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 from 10am 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.
Ponsonby Central Christmas Market
The Sapphire Room (inside Ponsonby Central), Ponsonby | Sunday 24 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, homeware,s and even skincare. Celebrate your purchases with a bite to eat at one of the area's many top-notch eateries, or perhaps even a cheeky cocktail ('tis the season, after all).
Christmas Night Markets—Supporting Hospice
Tōtara Hospice, Manurewa | Thursday 28 November
Tōtara Hospice is bringing the feels this festive season with a holiday market supporting their organisation's incredibly important work. Make a dent in that burgeoning gift list, fill your tum with something tasty from the food truck hub, and more. In years past, they've also held a special Light Up a Life ceremony—where they turn on their Christmas lights in honour of those who are no longer with us, but still in our hearts.
German Christmas Market
The Crossing Community Centre, Titirangi | Saturday 30 November
Rattle off your gift list while sipping on hot chocolate (or mulled wine!) and eating your bodyweight in candied almonds, cookies, and the largest collection of pretzels this side of Berlin at the German Christmas Market. Burn off all that sugar with a sesh on one of three bouncy castles (whoops, kids only) before making your own wreath, candle holder or other creation inside the Bastelstube (craft grotto).
Takapuna Christmas Carnival
Waiwharariki Anzac, Takapuna | Saturday 30 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 (provided the weather behaves, of course!). Waiwharariki Anzac Square and the surrounding area will play host to an array of holiday-themed entertainment, market stalls and more. End the day with a Christmas coffee from nearby Starbucks (the Toffee Nut Crunch Latte is a must), best enjoyed beneath the larger-than-life Christmas tree on Hurstmere Green.
Chow Luck Club Christmas Market
Park City, St Johns | Saturday 30 November
For the uninitiated, Chow Luck Club knows a thing or two about food so you can bet there won't be a rumbling belly at Chow Luck Club Christmas Market. Vendors include TEASER milk tea, Hong Kong wonton noodles by Maisan Leung and Comfort Bowl, more spring rolls than you can shake a roll of wrapper paper at by Vietflames, nasi lemak by Alimteh, Rusi Cane Juice, Malayisan food by Kehma's Kitchen, Malay-style satay by Malay Tiffin, Butter Baby's iconic baked treats and more. Come very, very hungry.
A Very Tasty Christmas Market
The Cloud, Auckland CBD | Saturday 30 November-Sunday 1 December
Image credit: A Very Tasty Christmas Market / Supplied
Come eat, drink and be merry at the second annual A Very Tasty Christmas Market. This epic show of festiveness is once again coming to The Cloud in downtown Auckland, bringing with it pop-up bars and eateries, entertainment, gourmet gifts, and games for both the kids AND adults (especially fun after a cheeky tipple or two, we might add).
Devonport Ethical Christmas Market
Devonport Community House, Devonport | Sunday 1 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.
Orewa Christmas Twilight Market
Orewa Square & Moana Reserve, Orewa | Friday 6 December
Top local creatives will be out in force for the Orewa Christmas Twilight Market on December 1, 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.
Ponsonby Christmas Market Day
Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby | Saturday 7 December
Come wander Auckland's hippest 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 2024?
Karanga Plaza Christmas Market
Karanga Plaza & Park Hyatt Auckland, Wynyard Quarter | Saturday 7-Sunday 8 December
An artisan Christmas market will be descending on Karanga Plaza and its glam next-door neighbour, Park Hyatt Auckland this December. Load up on unique handcrafted gifts, partake in family-friendly craft workshops, meet the man of the hour (aka Santa), and work your way through a sackload of indulgent eats and drinks, all in a gorge waterfront setting.
Silly Season Xmas Market
Basement Theatre | Saturday 14 December
Stuff your stocking with homegrown goodies this Christmas, wrangling a festive haul from Basement Theatre's Silly Season Xmas Market. Running from 12-4pm you'll find upcycled clothing, candles, tattoos, tooth gems, zines, personalised poetry and more. Featuring the likes of Sacrament Tattoos, Tooth Gems & Nails, Dizzie, Basement, Ehetere, Deadbird Books, Bad Apple, Tempest c55, Sani Moore, Elli Yay, Sahana and Lollo's Pizza.
Italian Christmas Market—Mercatino Di Natale
Freeman's Bay Community Centre, Freeman's Bay | Saturday 14 December
You'll be livin' la dolce vita as you peruse the stalls at this fabulous Italian Christmas market, held every December in Freeman's Bay. You'll find only the finest pressies here, darling, especially when it comes to those of the edible variety—think panettone, prosecco, and pandoro. Bellisimo.
Catalina Christmas In The Bay
Catalina Bay Farmers Market, Hobsonville | Saturday 14-Sunday 15 December
A Christmas market is the perfect excuse for a sojourn around Catalina Bay. Come expecting a selection of beautiful boutique stalls as well as some of Auckland's tastiest food trucks, 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 22 December
Image credit: Matakana Country Park Market / Supplied
Finally, 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 (we can feel our festive cup filling as we speak).
We 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 here.
Continue the festivities by checking out the best adult advent calendars money can buy.
Main image credit: General Collective / Supplied