Hundreds of people celebrated with Santa on Saturday for the first Wellington Christmas festival in two years.
Wellington's Lambton Quay will be closed to traffic for the weekend-long celebration, and it's expected to be a boost for local businesses.
Twenty-nine days before Christmas, the capital gave the public 31 hip-hop dancers, three cuddly corgis, seven energetic elves, two stilt-walkers and Santa on a sleigh.
It all went down a treat with the hundreds of families lining one of Wellington's busiest streets.
Attendees Newshub spoke to were stoked to have the parade back.
"It's good," said one.
"We always love the parade in Wellington."
"I really like all the dancers and all the Christmas costumes," said another.
The costumes were a little crazy and a bit random, with the action-packed parade led by the new Mayor Tory Whanau.
"Walking down and seeing all these smiling kids, I know it sounds a bit twee but it really warms my heart," said Whanau.
It warms businesses' pockets too.
"All this foot traffic, we're really going to see a benefit to the local economy," the mayor told Newshub.
Last year's Christmas celebration was canned due to COVID uncertainty, but this year it's well and truly back on and it's got a real pre-pandemic vibe.
"It's good to get out and feel like we can live again," said one parade-goer.
And Santa agreed.
"It's awesome to be back."
Back for the lines of kids and their wishes. One child told Newshub they want Magic Mixies for Christmas.
"Doggie," said another.
"World peace."
For one, their favourite thing about Christmas is "spending time with family".
Saturday's parade provided an opportunity to do just that.
