Christmas Eve in Wellington - something nice to do?

[smalldog]

Hi guys

 

We're docked in Wellington 8am to 5pm on Christmas Eve... can anyone suggest something nice to do, perhaps something Christmassy?

 

There seem to be some nice museums and gardens within a reasonable walk of the ship, which I'm hoping to get to.

 

But what about something festive, maybe something uniquely "Wellington"?

 

All suggestions gratefully received.

 

thank you! :)

[kiwijo]

Hi there! Quite a challenging question this one .. by Xmas Eve a lot of Wellingtonians have started to make their way out of the city to family and friends for Xmas and the start of the summer holidays too. There's no special Xmas Eve event that I know of at this stage, but check with the staff at the terminal when you arrive as it's still a little way away yet! Te Papa, the national museum, is possibly your best bet for a festive event of some kind. How about posting again in a little closer to the time and I'll see if anything's come up. There's lots of things 'uniquely Wellington' - food and film tours, NZ's Restaurant of the Year Logan Brown might have a special festive lunch etc - but not sure that's what you had in mind?

[smalldog]

Hi there! Quite a challenging question this one .. by Xmas Eve a lot of Wellingtonians have started to make their way out of the city to family and friends for Xmas and the start of the summer holidays too. There's no special Xmas Eve event that I know of at this stage, but check with the staff at the terminal when you arrive as it's still a little way away yet! Te Papa, the national museum, is possibly your best bet for a festive event of some kind. How about posting again in a little closer to the time and I'll see if anything's come up. There's lots of things 'uniquely Wellington' - food and film tours, NZ's Restaurant of the Year Logan Brown might have a special festive lunch etc - but not sure that's what you had in mind?

 

Thanks Kiwijo - I don't think I really know what I had in mind, that's the problem! ;)

 

Maybe there's some quirky little shop that sells nice Christmas goodies, or a part of town that is beautifully decorated...

 

So does Wellington itself tend to empty for the Christmas hols?

 

I shall take up your tip to post again closer to Christmas. I have "cruise anticipation" - makes me want to plan things far earlier than necessary because it's more fun than thinking about work. :)

[Australian family]

Go and visit the department store Kirkcaldie and Stains, their Christmas section is so beautiful, puts Australian dept stores to shame. We were in the store just before last Christmas. http://www.kirkcaldies.co.nz/

[smalldog]

Go and visit the department store Kirkcaldie and Stains, their Christmas section is so beautiful, puts Australian dept stores to shame. We were in the store just before last Christmas. http://www.kirkcaldies.co.nz/

 

Thanks, that sounds lovely. Maybe like the old family-owned department stores we used to have in Brisbane before the big retail multi-nationals came into town and sucked the soul outa the place...

[Australian family]

Thanks, that sounds lovely. Maybe like the old family-owned department stores we used to have in Brisbane before the big retail multi-nationals came into town and sucked the soul outa the place...

 

It is very English, the bus from the port stopped right out the front. I just loved the Christmas display, and it wasn't commercialised like our big multi-nationals and put on a very ordinary area for Santa. They had a cottage dedicated to Santa, and no photographer, you took your own photos. Our daughters just loved it.

[erewhon]

I see from your itinerary that you are at the port of Lyttelton before Christmas, if you are in Christchurch you may have time to look at Ballantynes, a department store on the corner of Colombo and Cashel Streets. They always have an excellent Christmas shop area within the store, and will have some of the shop windows on Cashel Street featuring an animated childrens story.

www.ballantynes.co.nz

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Go and visit the department store Kirkcaldie and Stains, their Christmas section is so beautiful, puts Australian dept stores to shame. We were in the store just before last Christmas. http://www.kirkcaldies.co.nz/

 

We were on a cruise that called into Wellington just before Christmas, and also looked through Kirkcaldies, it was beside where the shuttle drops you off. Ended up buying one of their Christmas Bears.

We called him Wellington and he has since then been all around the world with us on cruises.

 

 

smalldog Christmas Eve in Wellington - something nice to do?

Hi guysWe're docked in Wellington 8am to 5pm on Christmas Eve... can anyone suggest something nice to do, perhaps something Christmassy?

There seem to be some nice museums and gardens within a reasonable walk of the ship, which I'm hoping to get to.But what about something festive, maybe something uniquely "Wellington"?All suggestions gratefully received.

thank you!

 

If your Christmas Cruise is anything like the ones we have been on , the ship may have a Carol Service on Christmas Eve. Santa Hats and those glow candles are great things to have for that.

 

[smalldog]

Ended up buying one of their Christmas Bears.

We called him Wellington and he has since then been all around the world with us on cruises.

 

That is very cute! I have a teddy bear called Vincent, but that's just because he only has one ear... ;)

 

Thanks for your input.

[smalldog]

I see from your itinerary that you are at the port of Lyttelton before Christmas, if you are in Christchurch you may have time to look at Ballantynes, a department store on the corner of Colombo and Cashel Streets. They always have an excellent Christmas shop area within the store, and will have some of the shop windows on Cashel Street featuring an animated childrens story.

www.ballantynes.co.nz

 

That sounds nice, thanks for the tip. :)

[smalldog]

Now that we are closer to the date and the Christmas decs are up in the stores... any new advice from Wellingtonians or others about nice things to do on Christmas Eve in Wellington?

 

We will be in Wellington 8am to 5pm Christmas Eve.

 

many thanks in advance

:)

[SheilaNC]

I second the suggestion to visit Te Papa - have been there several times and love it. Also, Wellington is a very walkable city with lovely botanical gardens and a railroad museum at the top of the Cable Car run. You might contact the Visitors Bureau in Wellington for specific Christmas displays - we've found them very helpful.

[smalldog]

I second the suggestion to visit Te Papa - have been there several times and love it. Also, Wellington is a very walkable city with lovely botanical gardens and a railroad museum at the top of the Cable Car run. You might contact the Visitors Bureau in Wellington for specific Christmas displays - we've found them very helpful.

 

Thanks, we love to walk, and will also check out the Visitors Bureau. Thanks for the tip!

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Thanks, we love to walk, and will also check out the Visitors Bureau. Thanks for the tip!

 

If you want Christmas , Kirkaldies Famous Christmas shop is now open...

 

http://www.kirkcaldies.co.nz/Events/Upcoming/Christmas-Shop.htm

[HappyElf]

The Museum of City & Sea is also quite good. Covers the history of Wellington, with a lot of memorabilia and artifacts as well. No charge either which is great.