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Celebrate the spirit of giving and enjoy Christmas night lights at MOTAT. Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology has once again used thousands of fairy lights to create a magical wonderland that should be on everyone’s list of things to do before Christmas. To include everyone, the MOTAT entry fee is only $2 for the event, and all proceeds go to Auckland Women’s Refuge and Auckland City Mission. If you are in New Zealand, there is still time to join the fun as this year’s event continues nightly until Christmas Eve. Seeing the MOTAT Christmas lights is one of the best things to do in Auckland for kids this holiday season.

MOTAT Christmas Lights

Christmas illumination at MOTAT in Auckland New Zealand
The Christmas illumination is everywhere.
Christmas tree at MOTAT in Auckland New Zealand
The giant Christmas tree and the cascade of light flowing over the Pumphouse can also be seen from the MOTAT tram (running during the event).
Giant snowball at MOTAT in Auckland New Zealand
Visitors make paper snowflakes inside this giant snowball.
Christmas carols at MOTAT in Auckland New Zealand
Each night a different group sings Christmas carols. Auckland has many talented singers.
Open air cinema at MOTAT in Auckland New Zealand
Adults and children enjoy the open air cinema. Auckland generally has great weather for this in December.
Santa Clause at MOTAT in Auckland New Zealand
I am not sure how they managed to get him, but I am fairly sure that this is not just an Auckland Santa, but rather the real Santa Claus. Photos with Santa are taken for free and available to download from Facebook.
Jigger at MOTAT in Auckland New Zealand
Visitors can operate the jigger (handcar), travelling a small distance on the track. This is one of many things to do at MOTAT that isn’t available during regular daytime visits.
The MOTAT Cafe at night in Auckland New Zealand
The MOTAT Cafe is open, along with several food carts around the venue, including the Lolly Man’s old-fashioned treats and an opportunity to decorate your own gingerbread man.
Lit up hula-hoops and poi at MOTAT in Auckland New Zealand
Light up hula-hoops (blue) and poi (red) make for fun pictures when captured with a tripod and long exposure. These were also available to use at MOTAT’s Matariki celebration.


Photos from prior MOTAT Christmas lights events

MOTAT's Christmas Lights night, Auckland New Zealand
It was a treat to listen to the Christmas carolling outside the lit up old church in the MOTAT village.
Steam train at MOTAT's Christmas lights display in Auckland New Zealand
I think my favourite lights are this steam train. UPDATE: The steam train is not currently on display.
Horse carriage rides at MOTAT's Christmas lights display in Auckland New Zealand
We opted not to wait in the queue for the horse carriage ride. UPDATE: This year there was no horse carriage ride. However, the jigger (see above photos) is a new addition and its queue moved much quicker.
Snowman at MOTAT's Christmas lights display in Auckland New Zealand
There are little surprises everywhere, like this giant snowman built from Christmas lights.
MOTAT village decorated in Christmas lights display in Auckland New Zealand
The entire MOTAT village is decorated with Christmas lights.

The generous and charitable spirit of New Zealanders is one of the things I love about living here. It’s the people that make this country so wonderful. In saying that, it’s also the people that come out in mass to support the children and see the lights. The downside is the resulting queues for tram rides, Santa photos, jigger rides, and decorating gingerbread men. The mischievous elves that seemed to dance around the park kept children entertained.

In past years we arrived at the start time to a fairly long entry queue. This year we arrived at 9.20 pm, and there was almost no wait at all.

Practical Information on attending MOTAT Christmas Lights:

  • MOTAT’s main transportation and technology museum is at 805 Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland.
  • The Christmas Lights event runs from 8 pm to 11 pm until 24 December 2017.
  • Entry to this event is on Stadium Road. MOTAT parking is free for this event at the Western Springs field.
  • The remaining movies to be shown this year include Elf (Dec 21), Muppets Christmas Carol (Dec 22), White Christmas (Dec 23) and Polar Express (Dec 24) at the outdoor cinema. Auckland has other outdoor movie venues including many free movies this summer.
  • Halloween and Matariki are also celebrated at MOTAT on special evenings.

For more fun things to do in Auckland, don’t miss

Will you see the MOTAT Christmas lights this year?

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About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

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Comments

  1. muhafazakar villa

    The lights and your photos look amazing. I love that the money goes to charity! What a great idea. Thanks for sharing

    Reply

  2. Elaine J Masters

    This looks like such a fun holiday event for your community. It’s a pity that the lights stopped on Christmas Eve. I’m planning on attending an International Winter Wonderland Lantern Show in San Diego before they close on January 9th. The lights and displays are one of my favorite parts of the holidays.

    Reply

  4. Agness of eTramping

    These Christmas lights are truly breathtaking, Rhonda. Exceptional event and a very good and inspiring cause. 🙂

    Reply

  6. Hassaan Khan

    Hi Rhonda,

    First time here. I loved the photography. Have a fantastic holiday season. I’m looking forward to coming back to your blog.

    All the best!

    Reply

  7. Anda

    Hahaha, I love your picture with Santa! The display of lights at MOTAT looks cheerful and it surely helps with the mood. Christmas feels quite funny in summertime, doesn’t it? I remember spending one Christmas with my brother in law in New Caledonia some years ago. We loved the company, but didn’t enjoy the holiday itself. It didn’t feel like Christmas at all. Instead of our traditional Eastern European dishes, we had fish. Yuck! We also tried spending one Christmas in Hawaii at some some point and didn’t like that one too much either. Well, that probably has a lot to do with your upbringing. Where we grew up, Christmas was always cold and “white,” so obviously we miss that atmosphere during the Holidays. However, it’s only for a few days that we miss the cold. Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a great New Year, Rhonda!

    Reply

  8. Sherab Tenzin

    Wow, Christmas spirit seems to have changed every detail of the place. I can only assume how wonderful and different my town (Thimphu) would look if we also celebrate Christmas. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  9. Deborah

    Gorgeous photos and what a great idea and wonderful cause. We don’t have anything similar in the small town I live in at the moment but I know of places in cities who do something similar and it’s so lovely for families (kids and / or adults) to visit and offers a sense of whimsy that’s so often missing from our lives!

    Reply

  15. Paul F. Pietrangelo

    I love all the photos Rhonda especially with you and Santa Claus. I hope he gave you a present? Here in Amherstburg we have ” Christmas Lights ” along the Navy Yard along the Detroit River. There are more lights in the park and a building with people that create Gingerbread houses to be judged. I wish I could show you the lights but I lost them when my computer crashed last year. I’ll have to get some new ones and then I’ll show them in my blog. See ya my friend.

    Cruisin Paul

    Reply

  17. Mary Lanning

    Hmm… This article makes me remind that Christmas Eve is definitely near and days to count. Furthermore, I really love seeing the photos has attractive Christmas lights.

    Reply

  18. Sean Green

    Christmas spirit could be completed with this traditional ritual, like wrapping the home surrounding with Shinning glimmering Christmas lights, children carols each houses, putting a Christmas socks on the door and most epic thing is some of parent trying hard to make believe their kids that Santa Claus still existing. HAHAHA. Moreover, Christmas is for everyone.

    Reply

  19. Frances Bass

    Hello Rhonda… After I finished reading this fabulous Christmas article, I felt so sad because I miss my family. On this Christmas I will make a way to go home and bring this beautiful decoration ideas. Thank you so much for showing the spirit of Christmas… 😀

    Reply

  27. Parul

    Lovely pictures and the best thing is that the proceeds from all these go to help others. So kind and thoughtful gesture.
    I am currently in Hong Kong and I also came across a lot of Christmas decorations where one could get a picture clicked and then the photo version cost would go to charity.

    Reply

  28. Lexa Cain

    I love it when cities decorate public places! That old steam train looks awesome with the lights. It’s like something out of the future, not the past. I wish you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season!

    Reply

  29. Christine

    I really enjoyed your photos! Looks like a great event for a great cause! I love twinkling lights & the village is so pretty!
    Have a happy Christmas!

    Reply

  34. Comedy Plus

    How fun. I would have liked to see all of these displays. Very nicely done.

    We have a Christmas tree lane in a town near here. I’ve lived here since 1969 and have never gone. The traffic is backed up for hours every evening/night.

    Have a fabulous day. 🙂

    Reply

  36. eileen

    Pretty collection of holiday displays and images. I love the train and Santa.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours. I wish you all the best in the New Year.

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      Santa is always awesome, and he was pleased that he took a moment to pose for me without a child. I suggested to my teen that she take a photo with Santa, but I just go “that look” – the one only teens can do.

      Reply

  38. Hilary

    Hi Rhonda – fantastic idea … and how lovely to see your photos. The Express train – I agree is the best … cheers Hilary

    Reply

  40. stevebethere

    Love these photos Rhonda all those lovely lights it all looks very festive there, I must admit I always watch that movie every year when it’s on TV.

    Have a xmastastic week Rhonda 🙂

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      I thought the movie looked a bit scary for some of the little ones that were watching – although all of them seemed happy.

      Reply

  42. Jesh StG

    All the lighted subjects are interesting in their own way, but I do like the train the best.The nearest events are an hour and a half drive away, so I don’t know if I get to it. But we’re having our “kids” over, so it’s busy enough! Have a very merry celebration!

    Reply

  43. Amila @ Leisure and Me

    Lovely lights and a great place to visit in Christmas.Steam engine and horse carriage look wonderful with lights.And it is a great cause!
    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      I agree, the steam engine looked great with the lights. It looks even better from the other side, but the signage spoils the photo.

      Reply

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