Unwrapping Christmas 2013 – Aotea Square
From Monday 9 December – Saturday 21 December, Aotea Square, Auckland will feature Bandstand Under the Stars, Concrete Theatre, Live at Lunch and Christmas Markets.
Unwrapping Christmas returns to Aotea Square for a second year this December, with theatre, live music, and dancing as we celebrate all that is vibrant and exciting about a Southern Hemisphere Christmas.
Relax in a sunny deck chair and groove to live music, dance up a storm under the stars, enjoy outdoor circus and theatre and find the perfect holiday gifts in our Christmas markets to add to the excitement and anticipation that only December can bring.
“After the success of 2012, we had to bring it all back for 2013” says Festival Producer Sally Barnett “Last year the vibrancy and excitement in Aotea Square was fantastic. There was an amazing community spirit and enthusiasm for the programme especially our new addition of Bandstand Under The Stars. Hundreds of people danced the evening away in the Square, it was magical.”
Part of the joy of Unwrapping Christmas is the opportunity for Aucklanders to get involved. If you actually want the chance to perform this year there is the return of the wonderful Tuba Christmas. Founded in New York in 1974 it is a phenomenon that has captured the imagination of people around the world, playing in 186 cities worldwide. So if you play the Tuba or Euphonium come and get involved, the more the merrier. We also have recycled Christmas Trees in the Square and we need your help to get them looking beautiful.
The Bandstand is rolling out each Friday and Saturday night for everyone to dance the night away under the stars so you can groove on into the night and get a taste of Salsa, Swing, Ballroom and a traditional Celtic Ceilidh.
Concrete Theatre continues ther tradition of taking theatre to the people with free performances by a fantastic line up of professional performers in the Square. This year we have three performances a night on Friday and Saturday evenings varying in length between 45 – 60mins running between 5 – 8pm so the audience can move between each show without missing out.
Join the circus with the spectacular Campground Chaos, be amazed by the energy and skill of NZ’s most outstanding percussionists with Strike Percussion, be transported by Northland Youth Theatre Company’s The Odyssey, and get physical with White Face Crew’s hilarious Double Derelicts.
Live at Lunch lets you get out of the office and warm into those lazy hazy summer days. Come down to the square, lax out in a deck chair and enjoy two hours of live music from 12 – 2pm, Monday 16 – Friday 20 December. Grab something tasty from the food stalls and play some table tennis in the sun.
Finally there’s nothing more beautiful than an outdoor market full of Christmas treats to get you in the mood for St Nick and the Unwrapping Christmas markets are stocked full of beautiful goodies and treats made by crafty Aucklanders and local artisans.
The best thing is, it’s all FREE!