Where to go when there is no Franklin Road??
There’s nothing like piling the whanau in the car and heading out for a night of judging other people’s hard work (aka Christmas Lights)! With the iconic Franklin Road Christmas Lights no longer going ahead (#COVID) we have put together a list of must-see Christmas Lights displays in Auckland for 2020.
Smith and Caughey’s Window Display and Enchanted Forest
While you’re near the city, you could pop past Smith and Caughey’s on Queen Street. You can see their beautiful window display from the street either by car or on foot. If you are really keen, book in for the Enchanted Forest and Santa visit that many Aucklanders enjoy every year! More info.
Millwater
It’s worth the 20 min (from Albany) commute North to enjoy the Christmas Lights that residents of this coastal suburb puts on. The Christmas spirit is alive and well in Millwater! We recommend tiki-touring your way through the neighbourhood as there are homes all over the place that are impressively covered in Christmas lights. Special mention goes to Springtide Place – a small cul-de-sac where almost every house is washed with lights and decorations.
Other streets you should be sure to check out in Millwater are – Miller Rise, Harris Drive, Cilliers Drive and Major Henry Greens. Special mention also goes to 223 West Hoe Heights, Orewa which is just over the hill in Orewa. More info.
Vista Motu Drive and Panorama Court
Once you get to Millwater you may as well drive 5 minutes up the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and check out the epic displays on Vista Motu Drive. Some people say this street is better than Franklin Road! We’ll leave it up to you to judge… on the way up or back to/from Vista Motu you should take a quick detour on Panorama Court to check them out too.
City Impact Church
Drive into City Impact Church (on East Coast Road) and you’ll see the building awash with fairy lights as the church celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ – saviour of the world. Along with decorating the Church, School and Childcare buildings onsite the church also lights up their location in Mt Wellington. The south location can be seen from State Highway 1 at the Mt Wellington Interchange.
The Christmas Walkthrough at Eastgate
Every year the roof at Eastgate Christian Centre is decked with Christmas lights for friends and families to walk through and enjoy! A lightshow showcasing 55, 000 lightbulbs ablaze to music and a brand new storyline in the heart of Pakuranga.
Open from the 5th December to Christmas Eve, with 30-minute shows running from 8.30pm to 11pm. Free for the community.
Sky Tower Christmas Lights
Make an evening of it and head into the city! Every year in December the Sky tower lights up beautifully with a Christmas theme of green and red.
