While you're here
Christmas and New Year in New Zealand: what is open and what to do
A summer Christmas with almost every shop shut — how to plan food, travel and a memorable day anyway.
6 min read · updated 2026-09
Christmas here lands in high summer, and it catches visitors out twice: once because it is warm, and once because the country genuinely stops. On 25 December the vast majority of shops, supermarkets, cafes and paid attractions are closed by law or by choice, so a little planning turns a flat day into a lovely one.
What actually closes
| Day | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Christmas Day (25 Dec) | Supermarkets, most shops, most restaurants and many attractions closed |
| Boxing Day (26 Dec) | Open as normal — one of the biggest sale days of the year |
| New Year's Day and 2 January | Public holidays; larger shops open, smaller towns quiet |
| Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac morning | The other days when trading is restricted |
Do your food shopping by 24 December. Service stations stay open on Christmas Day and carry basics, and in the bigger cities a few hotel restaurants and takeaway places trade — but book ahead, because they fill.
Good ways to spend the day
- The beach. Pōhutukawa trees flower crimson along the coast in December, which is why they are called our Christmas tree. Pack a picnic and use one of the free public barbecues in most coastal parks.
- A lake, river, waterfall or regional park. Every region has one within half an hour, and on Christmas Day they are unusually peaceful.
- A Christmas lunch out. Hotel restaurants in Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown often run a set menu — reserve weeks in advance.
- Camping. Holiday parks hum with festive spirit; book early because families claim their spots months ahead.
- A drive. Traffic is at its lightest of the year and the light is at its best. Take food with you.
- A church service. Many hold carols on Christmas Eve and a service on the day, and visitors are welcome.
- A walk somewhere new, followed by a swim. Sunscreen is not optional here — the sun is fierce even on cloudy days.
- Volunteering at a community lunch, if you would rather share the day with people.
Travelling over the holidays
Mid-December to early February is the busiest travel window in the country. Domestic flights, ferries, rental vehicles and accommodation are all priced and booked accordingly, and roads out of the main cities are heavy on the days either side of Christmas.
Airport transfers and private drivers book out early over the holidays too. Locking yours in as soon as your flights are confirmed means a fixed price and a driver who is already tracking your arrival on a very busy day.
Common questions
- Are supermarkets open on Christmas Day in New Zealand?
- No. Supermarkets are closed on 25 December. Service stations stay open with limited groceries, so shop for your Christmas food by the 24th.
- Do buses, ferries and flights run on Christmas Day?
- Flights and ferries generally run on reduced timetables, while city buses are limited or not running. Check schedules well ahead and pre-book anything you rely on.
- Is it warm at Christmas?
- Yes — it is early summer. Expect warm days in the north and changeable weather in the south, and be ready for both sunshine and rain.
- Can we book a private driver over the holidays?
- Yes, and we recommend booking early. Holiday demand is high, so an early booking secures both the vehicle and the price.
Land, meet your driver, go
We run private airport transfers and intercity trips across both islands with a fixed price quoted before you book — no meters, no surge, and your driver tracks the flight.
Get a transfer price