Where to Celebrate Christmas in 2026
by Avya Hlavac |Christmas is a magical time - but if you're the one hosting, it can tend to be a lot of work. Days of preparation, Christmas itself spent slaving over the stove, and a mountain of dishes waiting at the end—all during a time that is meant to be your end-of-year holiday.
So why not let someone else host this year? These New Zealand venues make the festive season easy with all-inclusive events on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so you can enjoy all the celebrationwithout any of the stress.
Whether you're celebrating as a couple, with friends, or the whole whānau, these Christmas venues across New Zealand are the perfect solution to your festive woes.
From long lunches to buffet dinners and absolute feasts - here are the top Christmas events taking place in 2026. Be sure to book ahead of time, as they're sure to go quickly.
Table of contents
Saint Alice
Saint Alice turns Christmas Day into one long, generous table, with a family-style sharing menu and a welcome drink for the adults on arrival.
Christmas Day Sharing Menu
A family-style sharing feast with a glass of bubbles or a beer on arrival for adults, featuring a seafood sharing platter, roast porchetta, wagyu rump and a decadent Christmas pudding.
When: Two-hour seatings, 25 December 2026. Morning seatings from 11am, 11:15am or 11:30am. Afternoon seatings from 2:30pm, 2:45pm or 3pm
Price: $230 per adult, $99 per teen, $58 per child (around 12 and under), free for ages 4 and under
The French Café
The French Café brings an elegant touch to Christmas Eve this year, with a long lunch built for gathering the whole family around the table.
Christmas Eve Long Lunch
A festive multi-course lunch beginning with appetisers, aromatic chicken broth, duck a l'orange croquette, and smoked salmon with asparagus and prawn, followed by roasts with all the trimmings — free range porchetta with sage and fennel, and black angus beef sirloin with black pepper sauce — finished with a Christmas trifle
When: Lunch only, 24 December 2026
Price: $135 per person, $85 per child (under 12 years)
Sofitel Wellington
Sofitel Wellington brings French-inspired elegance to the festive table this year, with two incredible dining options - feasting or buffet style.
A Grand Christmas Feast
Enjoy a generous spread of seasonal dishes and Christmas favourites, fresh seafood, and a complimentary glass of bubbles upon your arrival.
When: 11:30am–1pm / 1:30pm–3pm, 25 December 2026
Price: $150 per person, $99 per child (5–11 years)
Christmas Buffet at Jardin Grill
Enjoy a relaxed festive buffet spread with seasonal flavours, plus a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival.
When: 12:30pm–3pm, 25 December 2026
Price: $200 per person, $120 per child (5–11 years)
Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
Overlooking the Viaduct Marina, Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour is hosting festivities across both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day — from an intimate set-menu dinner to a lunch buffet with live music.
Christmas Eve Dinner at La Marée
A three-course festive set menu, including a selection of French classics such as lobster and caviar.
When: Various sittings available, 24 December 2026
Price: $159 per person
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Grand Christmas Lunch Buffet
A gourmet Christmas buffet including a wide range of delicious options, with a live band to keep the energy pumping.
When: 12pm (Boulevard Room, overlooking the Viaduct Marina) / 12:30pm (La Marée Restaurant), 25 December 2026
Price: $275 per adult, $135 per child (4–12 years)
Pullman Auckland
Christmas Day Buffet
Pullman Auckland brings its signature polish to Christmas Day, with an indulgent buffet in the Princes Ballroom showcasing elevated feasting with local produce.
When: 12pm–3pm, 25th December 2026
Price: $182 per person (incl. welcome drink), $91 per child (5–11 years), free under 5
Includes: Elevated festive dishes with all the trimmings — roasted meats, seafood and a spread of indulgent desserts
SO/ Auckland
Christmas Day Buffet
Back for 2026, SO/ Auckland's Harbour Society is hosting one of the city's most extensive Christmas Day spreads — a sprawling buffet across oyster and charcuterie stations, festive roasts, and a dessert atelier, with rooftop views over the Waitematā.
When: 2-hour seatings — 12pm–2pm / 3pm–5pm / 6pm–8pm, 25th December 2026
Price: $189pp retail, $170.10pp Accor Plus, $89 per child (4–12 years)
Add-on: Bottomless drinks package, $65pp
Mövenpick Hotel Auckland
Christmas Buffet
High above the city at BODA, Mövenpick Auckland is celebrating Christmas Day with a rooftop buffet that pairs panoramic views with a full spread of festive favourites.
Lunch seatings: 12pm–2pm / 3pm–5pm, 25th December 2026
Dinner seating: 6pm–8pm, 25th December 2026
Price: $175 per person (Accor members 10% off); early bird $157.50pp if paid in full by 30 September (non-Accor); kids under 12, $70pp
Add-on: 2-hour bottomless drinks package, $59pp
Mövenpick Hotel Wellington
Christmas Day Dinner
At Forage Kitchen + Bar, Christmas Day is built around a warm, multi-course dinner — starting with a welcome cocktail and moving through a menu of considered, generous plates.
When: Sittings from 6:00-7:30pm, 25th December 2026
Price: $129 per person (Accor Plus members receive 10% discount)
Most venues require a deposit or full pre-payment to secure a booking, and several note that tables sell out early each year. It's worth locking in your spot well ahead of December.
Most of the Christmas Day buffets offer discounted or free pricing for children, with age brackets varying by venue — some free under 5, others discounted up to age 12. Confirm the exact age ranges and pricing when you enquire.
A few venues, like Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour's Christmas Eve dinner at La Marée, offer a set multi-course feast menu, while most Christmas Day events are buffet-style with a wider spread of dishes and seating time limits. Check the listing for each venue to see which format suits your group.
Yes, several Accor properties offer discounts for Accor Plus or Accor members—generally around 10% off standard pricing. Be sure to mention your membership when you book.
Christmas doesn’t have to mean chaos — and it certainly doesn’t have to mean cooking.
These New Zealand venues are pulling out all the stops to host incredible Christmas celebrations.
Whatever the holidays look like for you this year, find an amazing Christmas event in a city near you, whether you’re attending with friends and family or simply seeking good company.
