Santa comes to the Bay
Browns Bay will be full of Christmas delights and festivities on Saturday 5 December. At 5pm, the Christmas parade will loop through Beach Front Lane, Anzac Road, Glen Road, and Bute Road. Find a good spot along the route to watch! And remember, plan ahead for parking, as some streets will be closed. The arts and crafts market runs from 3pm–7pm, with locally made gifts, treats, and plenty of Christmas gift ideas.
Saturday 5 December, 3pm–7pm, Browns Bay Town Centre. brownsbay.org.nz/event1/safe-drive-vehicle-testing-browns-bay-christmas-parade-2026/
Bouncy castle anyone?
Summer on the North Shore means it’s time for school fairs, and if you haven't tried the St Johns School Twilight Fun Fair, you’re missing out! Yummy baking and home-made sweets, a great range of international food stalls, quick-fire raffles, a bouncy castle, silent auction, lucky dip, face painting and more.
Friday 20 November, 3:30pm–7pm, St John's School, 87a Penzance Rd, Mairangi Bay. eventfinda.co.nz/2026/st-johns-twilight-fun-fair-2026/auckland/mairangi-bay
Gelato season has started
Recently opened in Milford, Little 'Lato has 36 hand-crafted flavours (13 of them vegan) to enjoy. Founder Hannah Wood learned to make gelato at Carpigiani Gelato University in Italy – an actual gelato university! Little 'Lato was the first gelato product to ever win the Supreme Award at the New Zealand Ice Cream Awards, just one of the 120-plus awards the brand has won to date.
Monday-Sunday, 11am–9pm, 120 Kitchener Road, Milford. littlelato.nz
Pick up a new sport
Pickleball is a fun social game that is easy to learn and accessible to all ages. Pickleball North Harbour operates from the Netball Centre at 44 Northcote Road with Open Play sessions suitable for casual players to join in with mixed groups. Beginners are welcome, and they can even lend you a paddle. To give it a go, register at book.nnh.co.nz. (Create an account, click on ‘Event’, select a session, follow the process and get a confirmation email.)
Motocross #1
Nine-year-old Greenhithe local Royce Bush has just been crowned New Zealand #1 in the 65cc 9–11 years class at the New Zealand Motocross Championships. Royce finished first overall after two days of racing against some of the country’s best young riders. The achievement follows a huge year of dedication, with Royce travelling around New Zealand to compete most weekends and spending countless hours training with his coaches and family. Congratulations, Royce, you're a champion!
Jingle Bells in Devonport
Get along to Jingle in the Park on Saturday 5 December for an evening of festive live music. Bring your friends and family, grab some take-out from a local restaurant or bring a picnic, roll out your blanket and bliss out at this free, family-friendly event. You'll be thoroughly entertained by talented performers such as Hollie Smith, Nathan Fry, and Shane Cortese & The 8-Track Band, with more artists to be announced.
Saturday 5 December 5pm–9pm, Windsor Park, Devonport. devonportchristmasfestival.com/about-jingleinthepark
A visit to Santa's grotto
Get your Christmas spirit ignited on Sunday 6 December by watching the Devonport Santa Parade and visiting Santa's Grotto. The Santa parade heads off at 11am; afterwards visit Santa’s Grotto, the Windsor Park Craft Market, and the Ethical Christmas Market at Devonport Community House. Make sure you also swing along to Windsor Reserve to enjoy Dance in the Park, a two-hour Kiwiana-inspired nativity performance, with music, dance, and sing-alongs.
Sunday 6 December, 11am–3pm, Devonport Community House, 32 Clarence Street, and Windsor Reserve, 2 Victoria Road, Devonport. devonportchristmasfestival.com
