Santa’s Holiday House Proves a Hit
Media release; For immediate
release
Santa’s Holiday House Proves a Hit After Opening Weekend
A new festive season experience on Auckland’s waterfront has seen over 3,000 people visit and 450 presents donated for the City Mission in its first weekend.
About to launch into its second weekend, the ASB Santa’s Bach provides a uniquely kiwi twist on the traditional Santa’s grotto concept and is part of the Wynyard Christmas Quarter, a collection of festive themed activities in Silo Park throughout this month.
Already proven hugely popular with kids of all ages ASB Santa’s Bach gives kids the chance to be guided through a series of themed rooms and interact with the cheeky but well-intentioned elves and with the big man himself. Unlike any mall experience the ASB Santa’s Bach flips the usual Santa tradition on its head, asking visitors to bring a present which Santa will then give to the Auckland City Mission to distribute to those in need this Christmas. ASB Santa’s Bach is open from 3pm to 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays up until Christmas Day.
Waterfront Auckland wish to let people know that due to the high volume of visitors to the batch that a wait may be expected.
The Wynyard Christmas Quarter also includes the 2013 ARTvent Project which offers local artists a chance to display their artwork in a new and exciting way while giving back to the city this Christmas through sponsorships for the works themselves.
From suspended installations to multiple objects and printed works of art, 12 innovative installations decorate the steel Gantry in Silo Park and brighten the area during December in the Wynyard Christmas Quarter. The exhibiting artists had the chance to win a $5,000 cash prize donated by James Wallace Arts Trust which was announced last Friday night at Silo Cinema. A joint first prize went to Team Illuminate for Tectonic, and Emma Anderton for Room 2. Waterfront Auckland would like to give a big congratulations and thank you to all the Artists and Partners involved for this beautiful work.
No December would be complete in Wynyard Quarter without the Silo Park Cinema and Silo Markets which return this month.
Wynyard Christmas Quarter is hosted by Council organisation Waterfront Auckland in partnership with ASB on the ASB Santa’s bach and the support of key sponsors for the movies and ARTvent Project.
Place Manager at Waterfront Auckland Frith Walker says it’s great to see the whole area take on a festive glow with the countdown to Christmas well and truly on.
“The public spaces of this new part of the waterfront are the perfect backdrop for a Christmas makeover and the piece de resistance so far has clearly been the ASB Santa’s Bach. The generosity of the Auckland public thus far is extremely heartening ”
“It really is a magical, theatrical experience that puts a bit of summery magic back into the traditional Santa story. Having spoken with Santa I know personally how glad he is to be residing in his bach during this time and he’s especially enjoying the chance to relax in his summer outfit kitted out by kiwi designers World – the best outfit he has ever had, he says.”
Further details on Wynyard Christmas Quarter are provided below:
ASB
Santa's Bach
Unlike the times children have met
Santa in a shopping mall, ASB Santa’s Bach embraces the
true spirit of Christmas by asking families to BRING a
present for Santa.
Santa will then distribute these
presents using the Auckland City Mission - making sure no
one goes without this holiday season.
Auckland City
Mission ask that gifts are unwrapped and says that gifts can
be for all ages, not only children.
Bach
Opening Hours
December 6 – 24
Thursdays;
5pm – 9pm
Fridays; 3pm – 9pm
Sat/Sun;
10am-5pm
NB: Santa is a busy man – there will be times where he’ll have to take off with his elves to do some Christmas errands of his own. Make sure you visit www.yourwaterfront.co.nz/christmas before you make the special journey down to see Santa.
ARTvent
Project
The 2013 ARTvent Project offers
local artists a chance to display their artwork in a new and
exciting way while giving back to the city this
Christmas.
Silo Cinema and Markets - Christmas
Edition
From Friday 6 December, Silo Park
markets will be open Thursday and Friday (5pm until late),
Saturdays and Sundays (12-6pm). Serving up an exceptional
mix of food stalls, art, vintage clothing, contemporary
artists, and experiential vendors, you will even be able to
get your Christmas tree there.
Throughout December, Silo
Cinema gets into the Christmas spirit with a line up of old
favourites and Christmas crackers. Movies start at
9pm.
13 December – Nightmare before Christmas
20
December – The Muppet Christmas Carol - Presented by
QUIT
Angel Wishes for Auckland City Mission
Throughout December the Angel wishing tree will
be in Silo Park for you to tie your wishes onto. By doing so
you’re making a donation to Auckland City Mission and help
those less fortunate over the festive season.
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