Christmas festivities are in full swing in Wānaka this week with the Santas Grotto extravaganza running until Sunday (December 8) and three more Christmas markets across the week.

Last Friday (November 29) the festivities began with the family-friendly lighting of the community Christmas tree event on the lakefront and on Sunday (December 1) locals shopped for artisan Christmas gifts at the Wānaka Fete. 

Santa’s Grotto had a steady stream of visitors yesterday (Tuesday December 3) with lots of families visiting to see Santa, send mail to Santa’s letterbox, and see reindeer, elves and more.

Every year as Christmas approaches the Wānaka Community Hub is transformed by the Upper Clutha Community Christmas Trust, and visiting the ‘Grotto’ has become a part of many families’ Christmas calendars since it began ten years ago.

Year 8 MAC students (Livvy Lamont, Elliot Lovelock, Paige Lunny, Jade Lunny, Toni Guy and Cienna Hearle) with some of the items which will be on sale at tomorrow’s MAC Sustainable Christmas Market. PHOTO: MAC

Volunteer elves said the Grotto had had a busy afternoon - it included a visit from Santa himself, and plenty of visitors had cast votes for their favourite Christmas tree from the many trees decorated by local businesses.

Festivities will continue tomorrow (Thursday December 5) with the MAC Year 8 Sustainable Christmas Market, where there will be more than 40 stalls (from 4pm-6pm at the Year 8 classrooms).

Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) Year 8 students will be selling upcycled products including beeswax wraps, candles, chopping boards, hair accessories, tote bags and keyrings.

Year 8 teacher Helen Best said students had developed the businesses as part of their Social Sciences studies.

Hāwea Christmas Wonderland founders Elizabeth Horrell and Barbara Mackenzie give a sneak peek of this year’s wonderland, which will open to the public on Saturday. PHOTO: Supplied

“Students have come up with their product ideas, sourced sustainable and ethically produced materials, created their own business name and brand, and worked out their product pricing,” Helen said.

There will be more Christmas shopping opportunities the following day at the Aspiring Village Christmas Market (10am-1.30pm) and again on Sunday (December 8) at the Gather Christmas Market (10am-3pm), which will feature music and cocktails in addition to market stalls.

In Hāwea the annual Hāwea Christmas Wonderland has again been brought to life at the Hāwea Community Centre, open from Saturday (December 7) until next Sunday (December 15), and the Hāwea Christmas in the Park this Sunday (4pm-8pm) will feature carols and a visit from Santa.

Read more: ‘A Storybook Christmas’ for Lake Hāwea

Find all the details about these Christmas activities - as well as ways to give this Christmas - in the Christmas button in the Wānaka App.