Parade countdown begins

Now it’s time for the fun stuff. The 2016 Farmers Santa Parade is nearly upon us and what an amazing line up there is to keep the family entertained for hours on Sunday 27 November.
 
The traditions of Christmas mix with the fashions and fun of the 21^st century as the huge Lego tree watches over a contemporary parade highlighting the city’s values of the festive season.
 
At 10m-tall, the tree’s the largest in the southern hemisphere containing half a million Lego bricks. It will stand tall over Santa’s after party in Aotea Square. The after party, for those keen for more festive fun, will feature a.continuous stage show as well as rides, celebrities, face painting and of course Santa will be on hand too.
 
Tens of thousands of excited parade-goers are expected to welcome Santa to Auckland as the 1.9-kilometre-long event winds its way through the city’s CBD.
 
And what a parade. Cultural diversity is a huge theme in 2016 with Indonesian and Japanese entries mixing with the mandatory festive season exhibits. There are entries that shine a light on Bollywood while Brazilian dancers will bring their own rays of sunshine following this year’s highly successful Paralympics in South America.
 
Sky City Tower is launching its brand new suit for mascot Scotty and there’s a huge new line-up of fantasy floats and costumes.
 

• Cinderella – beautiful and delicate with all the most popular princesses.
• Ice Garden – the most current and popular children’s hero comes to the parade enticing all with the incredible frozen theme.
• Paralympics – the Olympic flames will be burning bright with a display screen the centrepiece surrounded by athletics paraphernalia.
• Kaleidoscope Kritters – a galore of vibrant colours, sparkling music and all things extravagant.
• Giant Balloon Octopus – a two metre-wide and eight legged blue and green sea monster made entirely from balloons.
• Austin Powers – the international man of mystery comes to town in a bid to complement the Flower Power Float.
• Santa’s Party in Aotea Square – from 2:30pm with MC Flynny and a continuous stage show, rides, face painting, hip hop performances, The Moe Show, Saintz Up Hip Hop Group, the Powerpuff Girls and West City Auckland Pipe Band all under the watch of the Lego Christmas Tree. 

As is the norm, it’s easy to get to and from the parade with free parking on the day for vehicles parked before 11am and exited by 6pm at Auckland Transport Downtown and Victoria Street car parks
 
Bus train and ferry schedules and fares are available at www.at.govt.nz or call the contact centre on 09 366 6400.  For more on the parade visit www.santaparade.co.nz.


 
2016 Farmers Santa Parade
Parade date:                        Sunday, 27 November 2016
Rain date:                            Sunday, 4 December 2016
Start:                                   1pm, Cnr Cook St and Mayoral Drive
Route:                                 Mayoral Drive between Cook and Queen Streets, left into Queen St, down                                                 Queen St, right into Customs St E ending at corner of Britomart Place.
Road closures:                    All inner city roads are closed between 11:00 am and 5.00pm on Sunday 27                                             November.
Santa’s After Party:              Aotea Square, from 2:30pm.
 
Pre-Parade entertainment, product sampling, charity collection and giveaways begin from 12 noon and all the action of the Farmers Santa Parade begins at 1pm.