Franklin Road Christmas Lights organiser Roscoe Thorby says this is the 27th year in a row that the well-loved local event will run.

“Our event is a get-together to thank the community and to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season. It's become an iconic event in Auckland; as well as locals we get people coming from all over Auckland,” he said.

Casey Morris, event manager for the Auckland International Buskers Festival, says the event creates a real buzz across Auckland.

The four-day festival will see international street performers entertaining crowds in the city centre over Auckland Anniversary weekend. 

“The festival is the glue that holds together the separate Auckland Anniversary events. We see festival-goers stream from site to site, enthralled and delighted by the diverse talent. People love to see the comedy, mime, magic, contortion, acrobatics and the clowns,” she said.

The much-loved Farmers Santa Parade celebrates its 86th anniversary this year. 

Pam Glaser, general manager of the Auckland Children's Christmas Parade Trust which runs the parade, says the multi-generational event has provided Auckland families with years of cherished memories.

“The iconic event thrills and delights hundreds of thousands of families who line the city streets to watch this magical Christmas spectacle. With over 100,000 attendees annually, the Farmers Santa Parade has firmly cemented itself as a staple in Auckland’s event calendar,” she said. 

Waitematā Local Board has a range of community grants available throughout the year. Round one of the Waitematā Local Grants is open for applications until 2 August 2019. Find out more on the local board’s webpage.