Santa is back at shopping centres across New Zealand and families are lining up for that classic festive snap.
From Auckland’s busiest malls to local favourites in Wellington, Christchurch and further afield, the man in red is now spreading his Christmas cheer across Aotearoa.
Santas have been part of the festive season for decades, with the first appearances dating back to the mid-20th century when department stores like Smith & Caughey's and Ballantynes introduced Santa grottos to bring the magic of Christmas in-store.
Smith & Caughey's in Auckland is no more, and the malls and shopping centres have taken over. Auckland's biggest festive event is remains though, with the Farmers Santa Parade expected to deck the streets with up to 150,000 people keen to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas on Sunday.
Most locations are open right through until Christmas Eve, but some require bookings that are filling up faster than Santa's sleigh.
Some of them come with new twists this year: pet photo days, sensory-friendly sessions for children with additional needs, and themed grottos popping up in regional towns.
Here's the list of where Santa will be coming to town across the country.
Auckland
Sylvia Park – Until Christmas Eve, outside Lush & Glassons on Level 1. Booking required
Westfield Newmarket – Until Christmas Eve, Level 1 near Farmers. Booking required
Westfield St Lukes – Until Christmas Eve, Level 1 Centre Court. Booking required
Westfield Albany – Until Christmas Eve, Level 2 Centre Court. Booking required
Westfield Manukau – Until Christmas Eve, Level G Centre Court near Food Court. Booking required
LynnMall – Until Christmas Eve, near Postie and Noel Leeming. Booking required
Botany Town Centre – Until Christmas Eve, in The Conservatory (between H&M and Hallensteins). Booking required
Commercial Bay – Until Christmas Eve, One Queen Courtyard outside Hugo Boss. Booking required
Shore City – Until December 23, Level 1 Centre Court. Walk-ins available
Westgate Shopping Centre – From December 1 until Christmas Eve. No booking required
Hunters Plaza – Until Christmas Eve. Booking recommended
Royal Oak Mall – Until Christmas Eve
West City – Until Christmas Eve, Centre Court Level 1. Booking recommended
Sky City – Until Christmas Eve. Booking required
Northwest Shopping Centre – Until Christmas Eve. No booking required but highly recommended
Ormiston Town Centre – Until Christmas Eve, next to WuCha
Waikato
The Base – Until Christmas Eve, Atrium outside JB Hi-Fi. Booking recommended
Chartwell Shopping Centre – Until Christmas Eve, Toy Emporium. Booking recommended
Bay of Plenty
Bayfair – Until Christmas Eve, outside Woolworths. Booking recommended
Tauranga Crossing – Until Christmas Eve, The Garden. Booking recommended
Bethlehem Town Centre – Until Christmas Eve, The Christmas Collective
Papamoa Plaza – Until Christmas Eve, beside Food Court. Booking required
Manawatū-Whanganui
The Plaza – From December 5 until Christmas Eve, opposite Skechers. Booking required
Wellington
Queensgate Shopping Centre – Until December 24, Toy Emporium Centre Court Ground Level. Booking recommended
North City Shopping Centre – Until Christmas Eve, Atrium. Booking recommended
Johnsonville Shopping Centre – Until Christmas Eve, Centre Court
Coastlands Shopping Centre – Until Christmas Eve, Garden Court. No bookings needed
Canterbury
Westfield Riccarton – Until Christmas Eve, Level 2 outside Decjuba. Booking required
Northlands Shopping Centre – Until Christmas Eve, Centre Court near Michael Hill and ANZ. Booking recommended
The Palms Shopping Centre – Until Christmas Eve. Booking required
South City Centre – Until Christmas Eve, Christmas Collective. Walk-ins available
Otago
Meridian Mall – Until Christmas Eve, next to new Toyworld store. Walk-ins available
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