Five festive things to do in Wellington on Christmas Day

1. Christmas on the beach  

It wouldn’t be a Welly Christmas without some sun, sand and wind. Pack up a chilly bin and head to your favourite coastal spot for a merry day with family and friends.

Check out this story on some of the fantastic beach spots you can go to on Our Wellington.

2. Volunteer and spread the cheer 

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year for many of us, but for some of our community it can be a pretty rough time. Why not give the gift of kindness and donate your time to a local charity this Christmas Day. Organisations like the Compassion Soup Kitchen provide hot meals to those in need and are always looking for volunteers to help out in their dining room. 

You can find out more about volunteering on the Compassion Soup Kitchen website.

3. Enjoy a BBQ at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush 

Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush is the only public botanic garden dedicated solely to native plants, but did you know it also has some of the best picnic spots in Wellington? The Troup Picnic Area is perfect for large groups and has two public electric barbecues. These don’t require booking, but please let the Treehouse Visitor Centre know if you’re a particularly big group planning to visit. 

Find out more about Aotearoa's only native botanic garden on the Wellington Gardens website. Or, check out this Our Wellington story on the best picnic spots in Pōneke.

4. Stop and smell the roses  

The Botanic Garden ki Paekākā is open 365 days a year. Why not invite the whānau for a leisurely stroll through the Lady Norwood Rose Garden? Or wander past the soundshell and stop at the duck pond. Take some time to be mindful, reflect on the year and relax among all the summer roses.  

Find out more about what our beautiful gardens have on offer on the Wellington Gardens website.

5. Sunset at the summit

End your Christmas Day at one of Wellington’s many lookouts and enjoy a summer sunset. Mount Victoria, Mount Kaukau or the Skyline walkway are all great spots to enjoy the view and soak up the last of the sun. 

You can find all of our walks and trails on our website.