The Rotorua Christmas Parade has a long history in our city and is a day of celebration and festivities for the whole family. Find out more about this year’s Parade, recipients of the Champion Float Award, and the long history of Christmas celebrations in Rotorua that brought us to where we are today.
THE 2026 ROTORUA CHRISTMAS PARADE
Nothing to update yet – but when we do – it will be here and at our official facebook page, just search ‘rotoruachristmas’.
THE 2025 ROTORUA CHRISTMAS PARADE
We are excited to reveal that this years event will take place on Saturday 29 November!
Once again based in and around the Rotorua Government Gardens, the parade will begin at 11am alongside the Rotorua Museum. It will then move along past the Polynesian Spa, and turn up Hinemoa Street. Then a turn into Hinemaru St making its way past the Council Buildings and the Gardens edge, before turning under the Princes Gate Archway back into the Gardens. Then along Queens Drive before completing the journey at the opposite end of the Museum. An iconic route taking in some of our most photographed local locations!
Once again based in and around the Rotorua Government Gardens, the parade will begin at 11am alongside the Rotorua Museum. It will then move along past the Polynesian Spa, and turn up Hinemoa Street. Then a turn into Hinemaru St making its way past the Council Buildings and the Gardens edge, before turning under the Princes Gate Archway back into the Gardens. Then along Queens Drive before completing the journey at the opposite end of the Museum. An iconic route taking in some of our most photographed local locations!
We encourage local businesses, community and sports groups, schools and early childcare centres to enter floats or walking groups and be part of this special festive event.
We’ve got nearly 40 floats all entered and preparing to make this a special event. We hope to see you there!
THE HISTORY OF THE ROTORUA PARADE
According to revered Rotorua historian Don Stafford, a committee was established in 1902 to plan a week-long summer carnival in Rotorua, aimed at attracting tourists to the region. This event took place for the first time in late February 1903. Unfortunately, few records remain of the early carnivals and parades. The Christmas and New Year carnival programme included many forms of racing, concerts, excursions and most important of all, the parade of decorated vehicles. Not even the Depression of the 1930s could slow down the Christmas and New Year Carnival. There was talk of cancelling the celebration but the committee officials decided that it was exactly what was needed to bring people to the area. And, they were right. According to Stafford “The carnival of 1930 drew crowds that jammed the streets” and by 1936 the New Year Parade became almost a pilgrimage for many North Island holiday makers.
Evolution into the Christmas and New Year Carnival
In the years following its inception, the Carnival evolved into the Christmas and New Year Carnival. The main parade became known as the New Year’s Eve Street Parade and was typically held during the afternoon of New Year’s Eve. In the 1950s and 1960s, a second parade was often organized in the evening. The event frequently included a Children’s Fancy Dress Parade, held in the morning.
The Change from New Year’s Eve Parades to Christmas
The New Year’s Eve Parade was held for the last time on December 31, 1980, coinciding with the conclusion of the Rotorua ‘Centennial Celebrations’. The following year, on December 19, 1981, the parade shifted to become the Christmas Parade that is familiar today. In the early years it was a committee that organised these parades. Start and end points varied, from Arawa Park to the old railway yards (the site of Rotorua Central Mall), the Lakefront, and Rangiuru Street, alongside Rotorua Primary School. The route mostly took in large blocks of the Rotorua CBD.
The Current Era
Escalating costs, and ever-changing regulations meant that in the mid-2010’s, The Rotorua Christmas Parade Trust was formed to run and manage the parade. And just like the long history of the event and it’s predecessors, change was inevitable. The route through town was initially shortened, before a completely new route utilising the Government Gardens was introduced in 2019. The covid-affected years saw the Trust disestablished, and the Parade’s future was uncertain. However the backing of some dedicated locals helped ensure that the Rotorua Christmas Parade continues to celebrate the festive season, in a space that is unique to our city and world famous in it’s own right. With less traffic management restrictions and crowd control risks, it gives our locals and visitors alike, a safe, fun, free experience.
Evolution into the Christmas and New Year Carnival
In the years following its inception, the Carnival evolved into the Christmas and New Year Carnival. The main parade became known as the New Year’s Eve Street Parade and was typically held during the afternoon of New Year’s Eve. In the 1950s and 1960s, a second parade was often organized in the evening. The event frequently included a Children’s Fancy Dress Parade, held in the morning.
The Change from New Year’s Eve Parades to Christmas
The New Year’s Eve Parade was held for the last time on December 31, 1980, coinciding with the conclusion of the Rotorua ‘Centennial Celebrations’. The following year, on December 19, 1981, the parade shifted to become the Christmas Parade that is familiar today. In the early years it was a committee that organised these parades. Start and end points varied, from Arawa Park to the old railway yards (the site of Rotorua Central Mall), the Lakefront, and Rangiuru Street, alongside Rotorua Primary School. The route mostly took in large blocks of the Rotorua CBD.
The Current Era
Escalating costs, and ever-changing regulations meant that in the mid-2010’s, The Rotorua Christmas Parade Trust was formed to run and manage the parade. And just like the long history of the event and it’s predecessors, change was inevitable. The route through town was initially shortened, before a completely new route utilising the Government Gardens was introduced in 2019. The covid-affected years saw the Trust disestablished, and the Parade’s future was uncertain. However the backing of some dedicated locals helped ensure that the Rotorua Christmas Parade continues to celebrate the festive season, in a space that is unique to our city and world famous in it’s own right. With less traffic management restrictions and crowd control risks, it gives our locals and visitors alike, a safe, fun, free experience.
source material – rotorualibrary.co.nz / rotoruamuseum.co.nz
CHAMPION FLOATS
Since the early 1990’s, the Rotorua Christmas Parade has been presenting an overall best float award, known as ‘THE HITS SHIELD’. Sponsored by longtime event partner and local radio station The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM, the winner is judged by a special panel, and announced at the conclusion of the Parade.
2025 Toi Ohimai
2024 Phillipine Club of Rotorua
2023 Plunket Rotorua
2022 not held — rain cancellation
2021 not held — covid restrictions
2020 Central City Quality Educare
2019 Tipu Ora
2018 ???
2017 RGHS Childcare Trust
2016 Sulphur City Steam Rollers
2015 Red Stag Timber
2014 Kidicorp
2013 Kidz Rock Early Learning Centre
2012 Maranatha SDA Church
2011 Kidz Rock Early Learning Centre
2010 Little Lights Kindy
2009 Rotorua Childcare Centre
2008 Gilmours Rotorua
2007 Gilmours Rotorua
2006 Skyline Skyrides
2005 Owhata Primary School
2004 WHHS Special Needs Unit
2003 Chariots of Fire Youth Group
2002 Gilmours
2001 Owhata Primary School
2000 Owhata Primary School
1999 Redwood Home & Hospital
1998 Punanga Reo Kuki Airani
1997 IHC
1996 IHC Margies Garden World
1995 Fillipine Club of Rotorua
1994 Wormald NZ
1993 Rotorua Electricity
1992 Gran-A-Dears
2024 Phillipine Club of Rotorua
2023 Plunket Rotorua
2022 not held — rain cancellation
2021 not held — covid restrictions
2020 Central City Quality Educare
2019 Tipu Ora
2018 ???
2017 RGHS Childcare Trust
2016 Sulphur City Steam Rollers
2015 Red Stag Timber
2014 Kidicorp
2013 Kidz Rock Early Learning Centre
2012 Maranatha SDA Church
2011 Kidz Rock Early Learning Centre
2010 Little Lights Kindy
2009 Rotorua Childcare Centre
2008 Gilmours Rotorua
2007 Gilmours Rotorua
2006 Skyline Skyrides
2005 Owhata Primary School
2004 WHHS Special Needs Unit
2003 Chariots of Fire Youth Group
2002 Gilmours
2001 Owhata Primary School
2000 Owhata Primary School
1999 Redwood Home & Hospital
1998 Punanga Reo Kuki Airani
1997 IHC
1996 IHC Margies Garden World
1995 Fillipine Club of Rotorua
1994 Wormald NZ
1993 Rotorua Electricity
1992 Gran-A-Dears