COUNTDOWN TO OUR 2026 PARADE!
FARMERS SANTA PARADE 2026
Sunday 29th November
Auckland’s favourite Christmas tradition is back!
The Farmers Santa Parade marks the start of the festive season in Aotearoa, bringing magic, music and dance to the streets of Auckland.
Returning for its 93rd year, the much-loved Parade is back on Sunday 29 November 2026 from 1pm, with spectacular floats, favourite characters, exciting new arrivals and plenty of Christmas magic.
This FREE family event is a celebration for all ages, featuring colourful floats, beloved characters, musicians, dancers and, of course, the star of the show — Santa Claus!
The celebrations continue straight after the Parade at Santa’s Party in Aotea Square from 2.30pm.
What’s Coming in 2026?
The Grinch is coming!
Introducing the brand-new Grinch float, bringing the mischievous spirit of Christmas to life! With playful festive details and a larger-than-life Mt. Crumpit with the Grinch standing proudly at its peak, this exciting new addition captures the cheeky charm and magic of one of Christmas’s most iconic characters.
Paddington Bear joins the Parade!
One of the world’s most beloved children’s characters is making a special appearance at this year’s Parade!
Watch Paddington Bear as he rides through the streets of Auckland on his very own float, then catch him again at Santa’s Party in Aotea Square for a special Paddington Bear stage show.
The Celebrations Continue at Santa’s Party!
The fun doesn’t stop when the Parade reaches its final destination! Head to Aotea Square from 2.30pm for Santa’s Party, a fantastic afternoon of family entertainment.
Enjoy a special Paddington Bear stage show, along with a dazzling line-up of entertainment to keep the festive spirit alive.
Gather your family and friends, arrive early to find your perfect viewing spot, and get ready to welcome Christmas with one of Auckland’s most cherished festive traditions!
Date: Sunday 29 November 2026
Pre-Parade Entertainment: 12pm
Parade: 1pm
Santa’s Party: 2.30pm
Location: Auckland CBD
our charity partner
Duffy Books in Homes
The Farmers Santa Parade is a proud supporter of Duffy Books in Homes, the Parade’s charity partner for 2026.
BREAKING THE CYLCE OF ‘BOOKLESSNESS’ SINCE 1994
Duffy Books in Homes is a not-for-profit literacy programme for schools in priority communities which aims to inspire a love of books in children, so they become adults who inspire a love of reading. The philosophy behind the programme is simple – to break the cycle of ‘booklessness’ and open doors to lifelong opportunities. Kids who can’t read become adults who can’t communicate and that’s a serious disadvantage in a world that operates on the written word.
The Duffy programme provides kids at ‘Duffy Schools’ with:
- Six brand-new books per child per year—books they get to choose and keep which helps build a sense of ownership and a love of reading
- A touring Theatre Show once a year which showcases the importance of reading and literacy through storytelling
- Role Models at School Assemblies twice a year- these Role Models are NZ authors & personalities, musicians, artists, radio and TV presenters who talk about their achievements and make the connection with reading
In some high EQI (formerly low-decile) schools, children have no books at home and those they receive through the programme are often their first. This impacts not just reading, but confidence, literacy and future success. New Zealand’s reading performance has declined for 20 years, dropping 10 places to 32 out of 50 in the Year 5 PIRLS study since 2010. Countries such as Australia and Spain have overtaken NZ. With literacy closely tied to future opportunities, this trend shows early reading support is essential, not just for literacy, but for equity and lasting change.
As New Zealand’s reading levels decline, the impact starts to becomes generational. For some Duffy kids, the books they receive through our programme are the only ones they own. That’s why your support matters. With government funding covering just a third of the books we provide, we rely on the generosity of individual donors, sponsors and funding partners to help us give every child the chance to read, grow and thrive.
By supporting Duffy Books in Homes, together, we can break the cycle of ‘booklessness’ and change lives, one book at a time.
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