December at The PumpHouse always feels like stepping into a sun-soaked storybook! One where cicadas hum, pōhutukawa trees frame Pupukemoana with grace, and every corner of Killarney Park buzzes with Kirihimete magic. This month, we’re making the most of all three of our performance spaces, filling each one with its own kind of festive sparkle.

This Christmas, our lakeside home transforms into seasonal mischief, and it all begins on 6 December, when a tiny hero with an even tinier wingspan starts her mission. If you wander through the courtyard in December, you might just hear the flutter of a certain determined pīwakawaka. From 6–23 December, 'Piri the Pīwakawaka Saves Christmas' will be lighting up our stage in a joyous Kiwi adventure filled with music, sparkle, and giggles. This show will have the entire whānau in full festive spirit!

Just when the mid-month sun reaches its golden best, the outdoor Amphitheatre comes alive on 14 December with our annual beloved Christmas Carols! This year, not only does the classic 6pm session return, but a brand-new twilight gathering joins the celebration at 8:30pm.

And as the month deepens, it’s the perfect timing for a visit from three rather famous ghosts. In the spooky atmosphere of our Coal Bunker Studio, an intimate telling of 'A Christmas Carol' will take place from 18–21 December! No big set, no flashy tricks, just masterful actors and Charles Dickens’ timeless reminder of generosity and heart.

We’re welcoming 2026 in true theatre style: with Shakespeare! From 5-9 January, our popular Shakespeare in a Week holiday programme gives young people aged 12–18 the chance to experience the bard’s world and create something extraordinary.

Then the celebrations continue as we mark 30 years of Shoreside Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park, Auckland’s only outdoor Shakespeare experience. As the sun dips behind Lake Pupuke, you’ll be treated to powerful performances from a stellar local cast. Whether you’re a lifelong Shakespeare lover or brand new to his stories, it’s a magical night under the stars. Plus, with free entry for children 12 and under, it’s the perfect summer night out for families! This season features two of the bard’s best: 'Much Ado About Nothing' and 'Romeo and Juliet'.

The PumpHouse is the place to be! Where Christmas spirit meets summer warmth, theatre magic meets community joy, and stories take flight like a certain fearless little pīwakawaka. Our office and box office will be closed from 24 December and reopen on 5 January, but you can still book tickets online anytime at pumphouse.co.nz.

See you at the theatre soon! Mauri ora,