A summer Christmas surprises many visitors. What the South Island is like over the holidays, which days things close, and how to plan so the season works for you.
Christmas in New Zealand falls in midsummer, so the South Island celebrates with long, light evenings, garden lunches and days by the water rather than snow. Christmas Day is a public holiday on which most shops close, and the weeks either side are peak season for travel, so tours, lodges and restaurants are best booked months in advance.
For visitors from the northern hemisphere, a summer Christmas can be a delightful surprise, and a little planning makes all the difference. Here is what to expect over the holidays, which days things close, and where to spend them.
A summer Christmas
December brings the South Island's longest days, with the sun setting after nine in the evening around the solstice. Christmas lunch is as likely to be served outdoors as in, the pōhutukawa, known as New Zealand's Christmas tree, flowers crimson in December, and many New Zealanders head for the beach, the lake or the holiday home as soon as work finishes for the year.
The atmosphere is relaxed and cheerful. Towns such as Queenstown, Wānaka and Akaroa are lively, and the countryside is at its warmest and most welcoming.
Public holidays over the 2026 and 2027 season
- Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026
- Boxing Day: Saturday 26 December 2026, observed on Monday 28 December
- New Year's Day: Friday 1 January 2027
- Day after New Year's Day: Saturday 2 January 2027, observed on Monday 4 January
When one of these holidays falls on a weekend, New Zealand observes it on the following Monday, which gives many people a long break over the new year.
What is open, and what closes
- Christmas Day. Most shops are closed by law, and many cafés and attractions close too. Restaurants that do open for Christmas lunch are usually booked out well ahead.
- Boxing Day. Shops reopen, often busy with sales, and most attractions run as normal.
- Public holidays. Many restaurants and cafés add a surcharge, which is shown on the menu or the bill.
- Tours and activities. Some do not run on Christmas Day, and some carry a public holiday surcharge, so confirm the details for your dates when you book.
Peak season: book early
The Christmas and New Year weeks sit in the busiest part of the South Island's travel year. International visitors arrive for summer, New Zealand families take their own holidays, and school holidays run through January. The most popular lodges, restaurants and private guides are often committed months ahead.
For travel over the holidays, Canterbury Trails recommends booking six to twelve months in advance, particularly for multi-day private journeys. Our guide to how far ahead to book a New Zealand tour explains why.
Where to spend the holidays
- Christchurch and Akaroa. The Botanic Gardens in full summer growth, punting on the Avon and a harbour day in Akaroa make an easy, festive base. The Christchurch garden tour is at its most generous in early summer.
- Kaikōura. Whale watching runs year round, and long summer days suit a day on the coast. Our Kaikōura whale watch tour is a memorable way to spend a holiday day.
- Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook. Warm days for walking, and short nights that still reward the patient stargazer.
- Queenstown and Central Otago. Lively over New Year, with lake views, wineries and cherries fresh from the orchards around Cromwell.
Canterbury Trails tours run right through the summer season, and a private day can be shaped around your holiday plans.
Practical tips for a summer Christmas
- Protect yourself from the sun. New Zealand's summer sun is strong, even on cooler days. Pack sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Still pack a warm layer. Alpine areas can turn cool quickly, even in December, and a southerly change can drop the temperature sharply.
- Reserve Christmas lunch early. If you want to dine out on Christmas Day, book as soon as your dates are set.
- Allow for busy roads. Holiday traffic builds around Queenstown and on the main highways, so a relaxed schedule helps.
Summer weather can still surprise, and our guide to what happens when the weather turns on tour day explains how plans adapt.
Common questions
Is Christmas in New Zealand in summer?
Yes. Christmas falls in midsummer in New Zealand, so the holidays bring long, warm days, outdoor celebrations and the sun setting after nine in the evening.
What is open on Christmas Day in New Zealand?
Most shops are closed by law on Christmas Day, and many cafés and attractions close as well. Some restaurants open for Christmas lunch, but they are usually booked well in advance.
When are the public holidays over Christmas and New Year in New Zealand?
For the 2026 and 2027 season, Christmas Day is Friday 25 December, Boxing Day is observed on Monday 28 December, New Year's Day is Friday 1 January and the day after New Year's Day is observed on Monday 4 January.
How far ahead should I book a Christmas trip to New Zealand?
Book six to twelve months ahead for travel over Christmas and New Year, especially for private tours, lodges and multi-day journeys, as this is the busiest period of the year.
If you are planning a South Island summer, explore our multi-day journeys or tell us your holiday dates, and we will help you make the most of the season.
