What's on this weekend

Photo / Supplied

Weary of all the Christmas cheer yet? We're not. There are trees to decorate and mince pies to eat, small chocolate treats and the odd festive cupcake. We're on the hunt for bad Xmas knitwear and cheesey dangly earrings, preferably with lights. Go on, find the joy of a 10 year old - there are only 3 more weeks to go.

1. Christmas Corner

That fat fella sure gets around. We like that he's spending a Kiwi summer at the ASB Santa's Bach at Silo Park (with the help of entertainers, interactive experiences and a craft zone where kids can make something to take home). Open Fridays 12-8pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10am-6pm until December 21. Silo Cinema has started up again too, with movies every Friday night.

Details: Today and tomorrow, 10am-6pm. Silo Park, Corner of Beaumont and Jellicoe Street, Wynyard Quarter. Gold coin donation for City Mission.

On Saturday there's Christmas at the Zoo with a Santa grotto, carol singing with elves and some great prizes. Because they can, the Zoo even has special guests - the Penguins of Madagascar. And Santa himself will be performing his popular singing Santa Christmas concert.

Details: Saturday, 5-8pm.

There's a Tree Decorating Fiesta in Mt Eden - Santa's helpers will help the kids create their own decorations, and you get to take the tree home for this local fundraiser.

Details: Saturday, 12-1pm. Essex Street Reserve, Mt Eden. Donation: $10 per tree (materials provided).

2. Happy and Gay parades

The showtime continues with Santa Parades on Saturday at the Blockhouse Bay - Blockhouse Bay Main Street, blockhousebay.org.nz. Otahuhu - 11am-2pm, Station Rd to Park Ave, otahuhumainstreet.co.nz. Sunday at Birkenhead 12.30-1.30pm, Birkenhead Ave. Devonport 11am-3pm. Windsor Reserve.

Squeeze in a bit of shopping, pick up the Christmas tree and help yourself to a mince pie or ten.

3. Go play

So, Christmas meets play time in the Basement Theatre's sixth annual Hauraki Horror. With a boat full of fame-hungry guests, and red herrings around every corner, it's all starting to smell rather fishy - as our heros try to unravel the biggest New Zealand scandal since the death of Dr Sarah Potts. No two shows are the same, with an evolving crew of local luvvies including Amanda Billing, Guy Montgomery, Kimberley Crossman, and Rose Matafeo. Laugh until you stop. Then buy a Christmas tree, help yourself etc etc. Until December 20, 8pm.

4. Carol singing

The Royal New Zealand Ballet's A Christmas Carol has not only beautiful music, costumes and dancing, but also this dazzling retelling of Dickens' classic yuletide tale has a spot of singing as well. Wowing audiences where ever it goes.

Details: Until Sunday, Aotea Centre, then Saturday and Sunday December 13 - 14 at Bruce Mason Centre,

5. Trap-easy

The wonderful Circability are celebrating Diversity Week at Victoria Park with an explosion of circus, art, film and super circus workshops, a sausage sizzle, board games and wheelchair races too.

Details: Today, 12.30-3pm. Campbell Free Kindergarten, 203 to 271 Victoria Street West, Auckland City. Free (courses $5)