Auckland Santa Parade set to wow Auckland, roads to close

Some roads surrounding Auckland's Queen Street will be closed for part of Sunday for the annual Farmers Santa Parade.

Most will be shut from 11am until 5pm.

"People are advised to get into the city before 11am," the parade's website said.

The parade, which sets off along the 1.6km route at 1pm, is in its 91st year.

Marking another Christmassy milestone, Auckland's new Christmas tree - Te Manaaki - has been lit for the first time.

The steel 18.4-metre tree at Te Komititanga, in lower Queen Street, features 10,000 LED lights, 4000 pōhutukawa flowers and more than 200 giant baubles.

The purchase sparked controversy, with some criticising the council's spend on the project.

It will be standing in the square until 5 January, with a five-minute light show due to run every evening from 6pm until 10pm.

Bluey characters star attractions at this year's parade

This year's procession is being led by High Jump Olympic gold medallist Hamish Kerr, and floats will include TV pup Bluey and one made out of Lego.

At 2.30pm there will be a party in Aotea Square "filled with festive Christmas music and dance, including the Bluey Live Christmas Experience, where you have the chance to interact with the loveable Heeler siblings, Bluey and her little sister Bingo".

"There will be a collection for Surf Life Saving New Zealand pre-parade, so please give generously," the website said.

If weather gets in the way, the parade will be postponed until Sunday, 1 December.

Christmas is just over a month away.

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