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The 10 Best Ways to Celebrate Christmas in New Zealand to Make It Really Enjoyable

| Last Updated: March 2025

The Christmas season is the time to do exciting things to give yourself a well-deserved break. Travel alone, with your friends, or with your family. It’s totally up to you, as long as you can stay away from work stress and have fun. After all, this special season is not for kids only.

Having plenty of ideas before this special season hits is a must if you want to make the most of it. If you’re tired of eating at fancy restaurants in Ponsonby and going to ordinary markets, I have some ideas for you. 

Here are the top things to do during the Christmas season in New Zealand to make it fun (alone or with your family).

1. Have a memorable adventure at the Bay Of Islands

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Website: https://www.newzealand.com/int/bay-of-islands/ 

Location: Northland

Pricing: $$

To really enjoy this special season, have an escapade to one of the many sea wonders of the Bay Of Islands.

For me, the vibrant town of Paihia is one of the spots you shouldn’t miss. Its beachfront location is perfect for swimming and kayaking. I went there alone, and it was a great decision because I experienced the complete freedom I was seeking at that time.

Another town worth visiting is Russell, a town with luxurious waterfront restaurants. I ate fries and burgers at Seaside, one of the fine restos, while looking at the relaxing clear waters of the beach. It was really a perfect escape from the corporate world for a moment.

Pro Tip: 
If you go here with your family, consider renting a car if you plan to hop in different locations. 
Book accommodations and activities in advance, and don’t forget to ride a boat for the best views.

2. Visit the spectacular Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

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Website: https://www.waiotapu.co.nz/ 

Address: 201 Waiotapu Loop Road, Rotorua

Contact Details: +64 7 366 6333

Operating Hours: 

  •  Monday to Sunday – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Pricing: $

Another great activity is to know what it feels like to hang out in one of Rotorua’s geothermal parks. Can’t decide which park to visit? Here’s one for you.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a fantastic spot for families during the Christmas season. My parents and nieces were very happy seeing the Lady Knox Geyser for the first time. The smiles on their faces when it erupts are enough for me to know they’re having a good time.

You shouldn’t miss the park, of course. It has diverse attractions that we enjoy, such as the different natural landscapes. 

Make sure that your phone has enough storage space. Why? Because I’m sure you won’t get enough of taking pictures of them.

Pro Tip: 
Visit as early as 10:15 AM for the best view of the Lady Knox Geyser. I also recommend joining a guided tour for a more in-depth experience.

3. Discover something new at Te Papa Museum

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Website: https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/ 

Address: 55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Contact Details: +64 4 381 7000

Operating Hours: 

  •  Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Pricing: $

Let the kids (and you too) have a mini field trip and learn as much history as possible at the must-see Te Papa Museum. This is the biggest museum in New Zealand, so expect a bit of a tiring but exciting day.

I took my nieces here in early December last year, and they were amazed to see the well-preserved body of a colossal squid (you can only see it here in the whole world!). It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we won’t forget.

Aside from Squidward (my nieces named it, not me), we also love the national art collection. William Hodgkins’ landscape and portrait paintings are very realistic! They feel like pictures taken using an advanced camera, not paintings.

Pro Tip: 
Don’t forget to check their website to see what Christmas season event your family will love to see.

4. Hit the slopes or fly at the Coronet Peak

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Website: https://www.coronetpeak.co.nz/ 

Location: Queenstown

Contact Details: +64 800 697 547

Operating Hours:

  •  Tuesday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  •  Wednesday and Thursday – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Pricing: $$

If you’re adventurous, try sledding while seeing the stunning views around Coronet Peak. Most of the activities here will give you more than enough adrenaline you’re looking for.

This is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I was scared before one of our friends pushed our toboggan (it was our first time to do it), but the fear turned into pure joy when I began to slide down the snow.

The most unique and unforgettable activity we did here was paragliding. Like tobogganing, it was scary at first, but that feeling fades away when you’re already flying and have a new perspective on the surroundings. It was like a zipline without a rope.

Pro Tip: 
Book a bike shuttle in advance to make sure you will experience most of Coronet Peak’s trails, such as Rude Rock and Hot Rod. Also, don’t hesitate to take a walking tour when exploring the mountaintop.

5. Hike on the majestic Hooker Valley Track

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Website: https://www.doc.govt.nz/hooker-valley-track 

Location: Mount Cook National Park

Length: 5 kilometres

Operating Hours:

  • Open 24 hours

Pricing: Free

For hiking, I recommend Hooker Valley Track for its easy-to-walk trails with eye-pleasing views. It might be a short walk compared to most trails, but the experience will linger for a long time (I guarantee that).

Once you reach the end of this trail, you can see the Southern Alps mountain range perfectly. I went here with my dad and we had a great time looking at the flawless landscape for almost half an hour before we took pictures of it. 

In addition, the glacier lake acts like a mirror for the striking mountain range. “It is, without a doubt, an Instagrammable spot,” I said to my dad. “Why do you always have to incorporate everything into Instagram?” he replied. He’s such an old-fashioned guy (it’s fine, though).

Pro Tip: 
Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you go, so you know if it’s safe to visit.
Also, if I were you, I’d stay until night. Why? So I can have a chance to see the Milky Way.

6. See the magical Hobbiton Movie Set

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Website: https://www.hobbitontours.com/ 

Address: 501 Buckland Road, Matamata

Contact Details: +64 7 888 1505

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Pricing: $$

If you’re an avid fan of The Lord of the Rings, you should visit this tourist attraction in Matamata. The Hobbiton Movie Set can take you back to your early 2000s days.

I visited Hobbiton when I discovered that it’s the actual setting of some of the scenes in the trilogy. I love Arwen, I mean the movie (even The Hobbit trilogy), so the experience was surreal for me (in a good way).

I never imagined myself walking in Bilbo and Frodo Baggins’ home. The happiness and nostalgia of my younger days are worth the money. When I got home, I binge-watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy nonstop!

Pro Tip: 
I suggest booking an earlier time slot to avoid large crowds. This way, you can really feel the nostalgic vibes of the place.

7. Shop at the festive Victoria Park Christmas Market

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Website: https://victoriaparkmarket.co.nz/ 

Address: 210-218 Victoria Street West, Auckland Central, Auckland

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Pricing: $

Victoria Park Market turns into a Christmas market each Thursday in December yearly. It becomes a fun place to be, especially with your whole family.

My family and I always look forward to this yearly must-experience event. What I love about this iconic market event is the stalls selling plenty of affordable handmade products. I always buy products like pet tags and home decorations like wall hangings.

Since it’s the Christmas season, I also buy some products for my co-workers as a gift. Some of the products I often buy for them are tote bags and uniquely designed soaps. My girl officemates love them!

Pro Tip: 
Visit as early as you can to shop in small crowds. If you arrive late, the stalls might run out of products.

8. Go to the freezing-cold Queenstown Ice Bar

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Website: https://queenstownicebar.com/ 

Address: 35 Brecon Street, Queenstown

Contact Details: +64 21 423 804

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Pricing: $

Another unique activity worth a try is going to one of Queenstown’s most visited ice bars, Queenstown Ice Bar.

My friends and I went here last year, and even though we were wearing thick clothes provided by their team, we still felt a bit cold. So, if I were you, I’d make sure that my clothes were more than thick enough.

To make our experience more fun, we ordered one of the Absolut Elyx vodka packages. It’s a bar, after all, so we thought it would be nice to drink some while feeling the mild chilly atmosphere of the spot.

Pro Tip: 
Look for discount vouchers on Bookme. Consider getting an early evening slot for a more relaxed experience.

9. Know some histories at Waitangi Treaty Grounds

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Website: https://www.waitangi.org.nz/ 

Address: Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi

Contact Details: +64 9 402 7437

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Pricing: $

If you’re interested in the country’s history and still want to be around a cool environment, Waitangi Treaty Grounds is the place to be.

I visited the two contemporary museums, Te Kongahu Museum and Te Rau Aroha Museum. What I liked most was the interactive touchscreens in Te Kongahu. It was a lovely feature that gave me a hands-on, immersive learning experience beyond simply observing things.

After visiting the museums, I decided to chill for a bit along the clear waters of the Bay of Islands. Yes, Waitangi Treaty Grounds lie within its area, so expect an astounding view during your visit.

Pro Tip: 
I recommend checking their website for cultural performance schedules that showcase Maori traditions. This will help you make the most of your visit.
Take advantage of the free shuttle services too! A free bus runs between Waitangi Golf Club and the Treaty Grounds from 4:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Another free bus runs between Bledisloe Domain and the Treaty Grounds from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

10. Drop in on the striking Waitomo Glowworm Caves

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Website: https://www.waitomo.com/ 

Location: 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves

Contact Details: +64 800 456 922

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Sunday – 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM

Pricing: $

Far from most caves, you won’t see the darkness inside the amazing Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

These glowing caves are one of New Zealand’s finest natural attractions. A one-round trip is not enough because you would love to hang out there as long as you can. The pictures I took inside the cave won’t match my actual encounter with thousands of glowworms that day.

Pro Tip: 
Ensure you have funds for contactless payment methods because the place is a cashless site.
If you still have plenty of time, you can explore other attractions near the cave, such as Ruakuri Cave and Marokopa Falls.

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