Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park 2026 is on Saturday 28 November at North Hagley Park in Christchurch and Saturday 12 December at the Auckland Domain. Both shows start at 7.30pm, finish with fireworks around 10pm, and are free, with no ticket needed.
The 2026 line-up is now on the official site, with Lavina Williams, Ella Monnery and a 12-year-old country-pop singer from Lyttelton among the names, and More FM’s Simon Barnett and Lana Searle as hosts. Here is what you need for either night, city by city.
When is Christmas in the Park 2026?
Christchurch goes first on Saturday 28 November 2026 at North Hagley Park, followed by Auckland on Saturday 12 December 2026 at the Auckland Domain. Both nights run from 7.30pm, and both end with fireworks. There is one show in each city.
| City | Date | Venue | Show time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch | Saturday 28 November 2026 | North Hagley Park | From 7.30pm (the 2024 show ended at 10pm) |
| Auckland | Saturday 12 December 2026 | Auckland Domain | 7.30pm to 10.05pm |
The official Christmas in the Park site calls it New Zealand’s biggest free annual Christmas musical spectacular. It has been running in both cities since 1994, and Auckland’s event listing describes 2026 as its 32nd year.
Christmas in the Park Christchurch 2026
The Christchurch show is on Saturday 28 November 2026 at North Hagley Park, where the 2024 stage was set up in the Entertainment Triangle off Park Terrace. It starts at 7.30pm, and the 2024 show ran until 10pm. Entry is free, and Christchurch is the one show where you may bring your own alcohol.
Christchurch has its own local cast on top of the touring stars. Names performing only at Hagley Park include Olivia Lily Eady, Matt Ioane, Molly Pawson, Briar Sharp, Emma Moore, Jireh Komene, Bazi Baker and Jesse Clifford, alongside Ngā Toi o Te Rangi Kapa Haka and the dance groups Euphoria Dance Studio, Visionary Dance, Silhouette Studios and JK Performing Arts. Christchurch crowds can reach about 100,000 people.
Christmas in the Park Auckland 2026
The Auckland show is on Saturday 12 December 2026 at the Auckland Domain in Grafton. Auckland’s official events guide lists the show from 7.30pm to 10.05pm, encourages people to bring a picnic, and notes onsite food vendors and a fireworks finale. The Domain show is alcohol-free, and it comes less than two weeks after the Farmers Santa Parade on Sunday 29 November.
Acts announced for Auckland only include Ellaphon, Henri Woodley, Josh Leys, Sophie Toyne, Flynn Adamson, WILDLANES, The Feel Good Service, Tribe of Ope and 15-year-old Takanini singer Jaya, plus the dance groups Freshmans, Studio 246 and the Auckland Academy of Dance. Auckland is the bigger of the two crowds, with up to 250,000 people at the Domain.
Who is performing at Christmas in the Park 2026?
The 2026 line-up is a mix of established Kiwi singers and auditioned local talent. Lavina Williams, Ella Monnery, Dillon Rhodes, Nate Peseta, Nyree Huyser, Verity, Elijah Taula and Cleo Fitzgerald perform at both shows, with Simon Barnett and Lana Searle from More FM as the MCs.
- Lavina Williams, singer, songwriter and musical theatre performer
- Ella Monnery, vocalist and recording artist
- Dillon Rhodes, pianist and vocalist
- Nate Peseta, freelance vocalist
- Nyree Huyser, Scottish-born singer
- Verity, singer-songwriter and social media star
- Elijah Taula, singer and musician
- Cleo Fitzgerald, a 12-year-old award-winning country-pop singer from Lyttelton
Behind them is the Coca-Cola All Star Vocals group (Hawkins, Molee Lauititi, Monica Cheung-Fuk, Miss Hannah, Iri Aumatangi and Anna Grahame) and a live band. Andrew Cochrane is musical director, Dixon Nacey is artistic director and Hadz is head choreographer. Simon Barnett also co-hosts More FM’s Breakfast Club in Christchurch.
What time does Christmas in the Park start and finish?
Both shows start at 7.30pm. Auckland’s listing runs to 10.05pm, and the Christchurch show in 2024 ran until 10pm, so plan on about two and a half hours. The fireworks are the finale, so they come right at the end, shortly before 10pm or just after.
The area directly in front of the stage is a secured zone that is not open to the general public, and there is a designated area for disabled attendees at the front left-hand side of the stage.
Is Christmas in the Park free?
Yes. Entry is free at both Hagley Park and the Auckland Domain, and there is no ticket to buy or book. You can bring your own picnic or buy from food trucks at the Coke Food Fest. The event also supports the Kindness Collective, a charity that helps families in need.
Because there are no tickets for the park itself, there is nothing to buy in advance. The only restricted space is the secured zone right in front of the stage.
Can you bring dogs, alcohol and chairs?
Leave dogs at home at both shows, because of the crowds, the loud music and the fireworks. Alcohol is allowed at Hagley Park in Christchurch but not at the Auckland Domain. Low camping or beach chairs are fine, while temporary structures such as marquees and trestle tables are not allowed.
- Dogs: not welcome at either show
- Alcohol: allowed in Christchurch, alcohol-free in Auckland
- Chairs: low chairs only, and be considerate of people behind you
- Marquees, trestle tables and other temporary structures: not permitted
- Carnival rides: there are none
Getting there and parking
In Auckland there is paid parking inside the Domain, and several bus routes stop nearby, including the InnerLink and OuterLink. There are drop-off points on the night, and the organisers say drop-off points and street closures will be marked on site maps on the official website.
Can you watch Christmas in the Park on TV?
No. The organisers’ FAQ says the show will not be televised, so the only way to see it is in the park. If the weather is too severe the event can be cancelled, and any cancellation is announced on More FM (92.1FM in Canterbury and 91.8FM in Auckland) and on the event’s social media.
Past years
Christmas in the Park has been held on the last Saturday of November in Christchurch and a mid-December Saturday in Auckland in recent years. The 2024 shows celebrated 30 years, with guest artists Georgia Lines, CHAII, Sweet Mix Kids and Che-Fu.
| Year | Christchurch | Auckland |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday 28 November, North Hagley Park | Saturday 12 December, Auckland Domain |
| 2025 | Saturday 29 November, Hagley Park | Saturday 13 December, Auckland Domain |
| 2024 | Saturday 30 November, North Hagley Park (30-year celebration) | Saturday 14 December, Auckland Domain |
Frequently asked questions
When is Christmas in the Park Christchurch 2026?
Saturday 28 November 2026, from 7.30pm at North Hagley Park.
When is Christmas in the Park Auckland 2026?
Saturday 12 December 2026, from 7.30pm to 10.05pm at the Auckland Domain.
Do you need tickets for Christmas in the Park?
No. Both shows are free and there is no ticket to buy or book.
Can you bring dogs to Christmas in the Park?
The organisers ask people to leave dogs at home because of the crowds, the loud music and the fireworks finale.
Can you take alcohol to Christmas in the Park?
Only in Christchurch. Hagley Park allows you to bring alcohol, while the Auckland Domain show is alcohol-free.
Is Christmas in the Park on TV?
No. The show is not televised, so you need to be in the park to see it.
